Growing Community and Supporting Neighborhoods

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods’ SEED Awards encourage civic entrepreneurship and community engagement by providing financial support for projects that align with the mission and values of CHUN as well as enhance the quality of life for those who live within the greater Capitol Hill Community.  Funding priorities include:

• Smart, solutions-oriented development: Projects should foster a livable, walkable and sustainable city by encouraging accessibility and multimodal transit; enhancing quality of life for all, improving living conditions for those experiencing homelessness or seeking affordable housing solutions; and developing community-based efforts that create new, innovative ways to live, work, and play in the greater Capitol Hill Community.  
• Enrichment: Projects should provide enrichment opportunities such as literacy programs; the construction of mini, free libraries in your neighborhood; permanent structures that enhance knowledge and wisdom about community issues; programs, services or supplies providing access to the arts and fostering the unique culture of your neighborhood. 
• Environmental Sustainability: Projects should enhance the natural environment and promote resiliency such as planting trees, bushes and flowers in areas lacking green spaces; efforts to clean up parks and open spaces; pet waste stations particularly for properties that lack financial resources to provide them; recycling receptacles for properties or organizations; designated parking spots and signage for low-emission vehicles; or projects tackling climate change or championing a clean, healthy environment.  
• Diversity: Projects should foster an inclusive community; creation of murals and art projects recognizing historically marginalized communities; programs and initiatives that cultivate support for and within our community and to help address the needs of all residents by promoting social justice, expanding opportunities for leadership and empowering diverse constituencies to enhance their own communities.

Eligibility

• Individuals, groups or organizations applying must be proposing a project within CHUN’s boundaries.
• Recipients must be currently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an entity described in Section 501(c)(3) and/or a Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNO) as defined by the City and County of Denver.
• 1Groups or organizations that do not have such designation may only apply in partnership with an IRS-qualified entity.
• Projects should have a permanent presence and should have the capacity to acknowledge Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods’ support publicly and in a visible way. 

Application Process

• No more than four paragraphs describing the project; two paragraphs should be dedicated to the impact you wish to have in the community. 
• A timeline for the project and anticipated completion date.
• Budget for the project and additional funding sources being used to accomplish the project. 
• Photographs, videos and other examples of what the completed project will be. 
• When applying, be sure to address the following questions:  
  1. How the project or stakeholders are connected to Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN)?
  2. How does the proposed project aligns with CHUN’s mission and values? 
  3. Is the project affiliated with those who have a track record of implementing community enhancement projects?
  4. Can project can be completed within a nine-month period; (e) the project is replicable in other neighborhoods?
  5. Will the project will have long-term impact in the community?
  6. Does the project is incorporates other community partners?
  7. With the initiative clearly benefit those who are disadvantaged and/or marginalized?

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