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Adams County grant advisory committee recommends $800,000 in community awards for 2026
Summary
Spark staff presented the advisory committee's recommendations for the 2026 Community Enrichment program: Tier 1 safety-net awards totaling $200,000 and Tier 2 food-security awards totaling $600,000, with multiple school-district and nonprofit recipients to be scheduled for public hearing.
County staff presented the Community Enrichment (CG) advisory committee's recommendations for the 2026 grant cycle, asking the Board for direction to advance the slate to public hearing and awarding.
Carla Strata (Spark Grants team manager) said the county split the 2026 allocation into two tiers: Tier 1 (safety-net/basic needs) with $200,000 available (awards $25,000 each) and Tier 2 (food security) with $600,000 available (most awards at $60,000; one recommended at $120,000). The advisory committee reviewed 54 total applications across the two tiers and recommended multiple awards that prioritize school-based supports and hunger-relief programs.
Why it matters: Staff noted strong demand—Tier 1 received 34 applications requesting $1.4 million while Tier 2 received 20 requesting nearly $2.5 million—so recommendations reflect competitive scoring and prioritization. The committee also compiled a handout listing other county grants and contracts each applicant receives to provide context.
Recommended awards: Tier 1 recommendations (examples) included Reaching Hope (Family Trauma Recovery Program), Family Tree (Safe Care Program), Hope House Colorado (self-sufficiency programs for at-risk mothers), Westminster Public School Foundation and Kids First Health Care. Tier 2 recommendations (examples) included Adams County Emergency Food Bank, Growing Home, Food Bank of the Rockies, We Don't Waste and the Adams County School District 12 Education Foundation (recommended at $120,000).
Process and next steps: Staff said award recipients will be presented at a public hearing (scheduling to be confirmed; staff mentioned an October 14 date under consideration) and that awards and contracts will be administered if the board advances the recommendations. The advisory committee will reuse this priority-setting approach for 2027 with application windows, review periods and award execution mapped to the next budget cycle.
