The Community ACTS Fund was established in 2018 through a groundbreaking partnership among SCFD Tier I organizations. Recognizing the need for greater equity in arts, culture, and science funding, the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and Denver Zoo committed a combined $750,000 annually—$150,000 from each institution— until 2029.
This funding initiative was designed to support organizational capacity and general operations for Tier III SCFD-funded organizations that serve communities historically excluded from equitable investment. This includes organizations led by or serving racial and ethnic minorities, people with physical and mental disabilities, the elderly, low-income populations, veterans, LGBTQ+ communities, and residents in geographically underserved parts of the district.
The creation of the Community ACTS Fund marked a critical step in addressing the inequities built into algorithm-driven funding structures like SCFD.
By focusing on organizational infrastructure and capacity building, this fund strengthens the foundation of Tier III institutions—ensuring they not only survive, but thrive.
Photo: (Stephanie Wolf/CPR News)
In the first year, the Community ACTS Fund’s focus was twofold: to establish the governing and funding structure; and to select a fund manager. In September 2018, Mile High United Way was selected as the fund administrator. In December 2018, an agreement was signed between the five Tier I organizations, and Mile High United Way for the fund management and the grant program management of the Inclusivity Fund Advisory Committee.
After two years of operation, the “Inclusivity Fund Advisory Committee” was officially changed. In 2019, The Community Arts, Culture, Transformation and Science (ACTS) Fund, would be a governing advisory council that would move beyond the perceived radical concept of inclusions, to a forward-looking approach to funding that would place community service and stability at the core of its vision. In 2019 it was agreed that the focus of the funding would be capacity building and general operating grants.
In 2025, the formal advisory committee structure was dissolved, and a grant review committee was established.
Partners
We are grateful to SCFD Tier I organizations for their commitment to the building the strength and capacity of Tier III nonprofits.
