NATURAL RESOURCES GRANTS FOR COLORADO
Colorado’s iconic mountain ranges, farms and ranchlands, public lands, rivers, and open spaces are an undeniable part of our shared identity as Coloradans. We live in a state where three in four residents consider themselves conservationists, and 87% understand that Colorado’s open lands and outdoor lifestyle give the state an economic advantage. Gates Family Foundation is committed to the conservation, management, and protection of Colorado’s natural resources.
WE BELIEVE the forces of climate change, population growth, and urbanization create unprecedented conditions that threaten Colorado’s treasured natural resources and economic stability. The impact of these changes are too-often disproportionately felt by the state’s historically underrepresented residents.
WE SUPPORT collaborative work with a cross-section of partners and fellow funders to conserve Colorado’s unique landscapes, waterways, and agricultural communities in ways that allow both natural and human systems to thrive.
OUR PRIORITIES FOR NATURAL RESOURCES
We believe that collaboration, innovation, and cross-sector partnerships are the key to balanced management of limited resources. And we are committed to helping amplify the voices of Indigenous and people of color in conservation decision-making, organizational leadership, and access to the outdoors.
GATES SUPPORT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES MIGHT LOOK LIKE:
Balanced Water Management
• Advancing Tribal nations’ capacity to engage in priority projects and decision-making related to water issues
• Forging agreements among stakeholders on water demand management priorities, strategies, and policies
• Protecting the interests of water rights holders that voluntarily participate in reduced consumptive use programs
• Programs that optimize water savings and economic impact
Forest Health and Watershed Restoration
• Implementation of successful forest management strategies
• Support for regional initiatives to bring more public dollars to improve forest health and watershed restoration
• Cross-jurisdictional efforts to mitigate catastrophic wildfires
Landscape Conservation and Land Trust Capacity Building
• Regional approaches to large-scale landscape conservation
• Support for projects that integrate economic growth, rural resilience and land stewardship
• Support for coalitions working to advance the land trust field through policy, collaboration, and sector sustainability
• Staff leadership to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in natural resources and climate change work
HOW WE SUPPORT NATURAL RESOURCES
Strategic Grants
Foundation staff work closely with a diverse group of partners to initiate and support projects that advance the strategic priorities and goals listed above. See our strategic grantmaking in natural resources here. If you think your project or organization might be a fit for our Natural Resources program, we encourage you to contact a team member below. READ MORE
Capital Grants
Twice a year, we accept applications for our capital grants program. Natural resources projects that qualify include: land conservation; public recreation facilities, outdoor spaces, and community gardens; and projects that acquire, construct, and improve parks, greenways, and trail systems. See a list of our recent grants here. READ MORE
Impact Investments
We put the Foundation’s endowment dollars to work through mission-aligned investments in natural resources and conservation. Examples include projects that generate a market rate of return for restoration of ranch properties in Colorado and nearby states, and sustainably harvested timberlands across the U.S. READ MORE
NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS AND INSIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES TEAM
Our natural resources team brings an array of experiences and talents to work with our partners and grantees. From strategic planning and partnership development, to deep knowledge of water and land conservation issues statewide and nationally, our team is here to help our partners thrive.
Amanda Hill
Senior Program Officer, Natural Resources
Whitney Johnson
Senior Program Officer, Natural Resources