Amount
$20,000 – $50,000 per award (e.g., Kempe Center $25,000).
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Arapahoe County Aid to Agencies
Deadlines
Estimated Sept 19 2026 window (2025 cycle ran Aug 11 – Sept 19 with decisions in late fall).
Cycle
Annual county grant supporting the following year’s programming.
Effort & Priority
Effort: 4 | Priority: Must Pursue
Expected success: High.
Why It Matters
Aid to Agencies is one of the few unrestricted local sources underwriting SungateKids’ trauma therapy, advocacy, and prevention work in its busiest county. Renewing it each year protects core services the county relies on.
Eligibility Snapshot
- Org type: 501(c)(3) operating at least one year.
- Residents served: Must directly benefit Arapahoe County populations.
- Priority areas: Mental & behavioral health, housing/homelessness, food assistance, or transportation. SungateKids’ trauma care falls squarely in behavioral health.
- Community served: Programs must reach vulnerable groups (disabled, minority, justice-involved, youth, etc.).
Application Requirements
- County portal submission with outcomes data, program narrative, and detailed budget.
- Uploads typically include financial statements and the latest Form 990.
- Letters are optional but MOUs or statements from referring partners (law enforcement, DHS) add weight.
- Expect 30–40 hours including workshop attendance, data pulls, writing, and review.
Strategic Fit
Why it fits: SungateKids’ therapy and advocacy services fulfill Arapahoe’s “mental and behavioral health” mandate for vulnerable youth.
Comparable grantees: Kempe Center, AllHealth Network, and other trauma-focused providers have been funded—showing strong precedent.
County priorities: Commissioners have shifted to a data-informed model. Emphasize measurable outcomes and evidence-based practice.
Competition: Dozens of behavioral health and family service agencies apply, but narrowed focus areas reduce the field to those with proven impact.
Relationships: Attend county info sessions and connect with program staff like Daniela Villarreal for Q&A. Political lobbying isn’t necessary; alignment and clarity win.
Success Factors
- Report Arapahoe-specific volume and outcomes (e.g., children served, caregiver satisfaction, prosecution support).
- Demonstrate cultural responsiveness (Spanish-language services, inclusive outreach).
- Highlight 24/7 availability and cost-free care as gap-filling differentiators.
- Show collaborative structure with law enforcement, DA, DHS, and school partners.
Risks & Mitigation
- Scope creep: Keep the proposal tightly tied to behavioral health—avoid dilution into ancillary programs.
- Data rigor: Provide solid metrics; weaker data could miss the “outcome-driven” threshold.
- Limited dollars: Funding is competitive; early prep and polished submissions help secure repeat awards.
ROI & Stewardship
Roughly 35 hours of work for a $25K average grant (~$714/hour) plus strong renewal history make this a high-value annual pursuit. Build in stewardship touchpoints with county staff to reinforce impact between cycles.