Arapahoe County shifts aid‑to‑agencies grants to four priorities and proposes data‑driven funding split

Arapahoe County staff on Monday proposed a redesigned Aid to Agencies grant framework that narrows the program's nine funding categories to four priorities and uses data to allocate limited county funds.

Daniella Villarreal, who led the committee review, told the Board of County Commissioners that the program—created in 2008—has awarded slightly more than $27 million to 51 organizations since inception and that the county currently budgets roughly $2.08 million for Aid to Agencies. "Since inception, we've awarded a little bit more than $27,000,000 to 51 unique organizations," Villarreal said. Staff said a 2024 pause and cuts to the program were reversed for safety nets by the passage of Ballot Issue 1A; competitive grants remain paused while staff redesign the program.

Under the recommended framework, competitive funding would remain available with a $100,000 cap per award and safety nets would be limited to organizations that meet a new definition—nonprofits that provide essential, unique services to vulnerable populations and do not duplicate county programs. Staff proposed reducing the number of safety‑net recipients…