Access to Capital Support: BIPOC & Latino Community Mini Grant Program
About the Program: The Latino Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of the Access to Capital Support: BIPOC & Latino Community Mini Grant Program, a new initiative designed to expand access to funding and strengthen businesses and organizations serving Pueblo and Southern Colorado communities. Made possible through a partnership with The Colorado Health Foundation, the program will provide direct financial support to eligible BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and Latino owned businesses and organizations, as well as organizations whose primary mission or demonstrated work directly serves BIPOC and Latino communities.
The two-year initiative will provide $100,000 in direct financial support through two funding cycles. During the first cycle, 20 eligible businesses and organizations will receive grants of $2,500 each, totaling $50,000 for 2026. A second funding cycle is planned for the fall of 2027, with an additional 20 grants of $2,500 each. In addition to the grant funding, all recipients will receive a one-hour consultation with a professional consultant to help them strategically plan for the year ahead, determine how to best use their grant funds, learn more about business resources available, and address questions related to their business or organization.
Through this initiative, the Latino Chamber of Commerce aims to help locally rooted businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs access flexible, timely funding to strengthen their operations, expand programs, address community needs, and increase their capacity to make a lasting impact. The program reflects a shared commitment to expanding economic opportunity, supporting historically underserved communities, and creating more equitable pathways to resources and capital.
The Mini Grant Program was developed through collaborative planning and thoughtful input from staff at both the Latino Chamber of Commerce and The Colorado Health Foundation. By combining the Chamber’s longstanding relationships with the regional business community with the Foundation’s commitment to advancing health equity, the initiative will help connect organizations with resources that support their continued growth and community impact.
Grant Submission Launch: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 12:00pm
Grant Submission Deadline: Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 5:00pm | To keep the application fair and equitable for all applicants, late submissions will not be accepted.
Grant Eligibility Requirements:
-Be a BIPOC or Latino owned business or organization or be an organization whose primary mission or demonstrated work serves BIPOC and/or Latino communities.
-Be legally established and, if required by the applicant’s legal structure, registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State at the time of application.
-Operate in or provide services within Pueblo County or one of the following neighboring Southern Colorado counties: Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, or Otero.
-Eligible businesses and organizations can only receive one $2,500 mini grant during the two-year program. Applicants who are not awarded during the 2026 cycle can reapply for the mini grant next fall.
-Grants will be awarded to eligible businesses or organizations, not to individuals applying in their personal capacity.
-Applicants must comply with applicable state and federal nondiscrimination laws.
-Recipients must agree to participate in a one-hour consultation with a professional consultant before grant funds are disbursed. This consultation can take place via phone call, virtual meeting, or an in-person meeting.
-Applicants must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest(s) related to the application, review, or administration of grant funds.
-Your organization, business, or primary contact representative does not have to be a member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce or have any specific business affiliations.
-Submit a fully complete application and all required documentation by the deadline (incomplete applications will not be considered for funding).
Selection Process:
-Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of staff and Board members of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
-A scoring rubric that includes six categories and a maximum of 50 total points will be used to assess applications.
10 Points
1. Alignment with Program Goals
10 Points
2. Community Impact
10 Points
3. Demonstrated Need & Opportunity
10 Points
4. Proposed Use of Funds
5 Points
5. Community Involvement & Partnership(s)
5 Points
6. Sustainability & Long-Term Benefit
-The 20 highest scoring eligible applicants will be selected for funding. The review process will take approximately 60 days. Applicants will be notified as soon as decisions are made. We anticipate notifying all selected applicants by February 1, 2027.
-Recipients will be recognized at an Awards Reception, which will take place in person at the Latino Chamber of Commerce office building once all recipients have completed their consultations with the professional consultant. The Awards Reception will take place during February 2027 – March 2027. Funds will be disbursed to recipients during the Awards Reception. Once the Awards Reception date has been established, recipients will be notified right away.
-Grant recipients will be asked to complete a short grant report approximately 6 months after receiving funds to fulfill all reporting and documentation requirements.
-For questions regarding the grant or application, please contact our President & CEO Noah Commerford via email at noah@pueblolatinochamber.com or by phone at 719-542-5513.
Please read all application questions carefully and provide complete, accurate responses.
About the Program: The Latino Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of the Access to Capital Support: BIPOC & Latino Community Mini Grant Program, a new initiative designed to expand access to funding and strengthen businesses and organizations serving Pueblo and Southern Colorado communities. Made possible through a partnership with The Colorado Health Foundation, the program will provide direct financial support to eligible BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and Latino owned businesses and organizations, as well as organizations whose primary mission or demonstrated work directly serves BIPOC and Latino communities.
The two-year initiative will provide $100,000 in direct financial support through two funding cycles. During the first cycle, 20 eligible businesses and organizations will receive grants of $2,500 each, totaling $50,000 for 2026. A second funding cycle is planned for the fall of 2027, with an additional 20 grants of $2,500 each. In addition to the grant funding, all recipients will receive a one-hour consultation with a professional consultant to help them strategically plan for the year ahead, determine how to best use their grant funds, learn more about business resources available, and address questions related to their business or organization.
Through this initiative, the Latino Chamber of Commerce aims to help locally rooted businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs access flexible, timely funding to strengthen their operations, expand programs, address community needs, and increase their capacity to make a lasting impact. The program reflects a shared commitment to expanding economic opportunity, supporting historically underserved communities, and creating more equitable pathways to resources and capital.
The Mini Grant Program was developed through collaborative planning and thoughtful input from staff at both the Latino Chamber of Commerce and The Colorado Health Foundation. By combining the Chamber’s longstanding relationships with the regional business community with the Foundation’s commitment to advancing health equity, the initiative will help connect organizations with resources that support their continued growth and community impact.
Grant Submission Launch: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 12:00pm
Grant Submission Deadline: Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 5:00pm | To keep the application fair and equitable for all applicants, late submissions will not be accepted.
Grant Eligibility Requirements:
-Be a BIPOC or Latino owned business or organization or be an organization whose primary mission or demonstrated work serves BIPOC and/or Latino communities.
-Be legally established and, if required by the applicant’s legal structure, registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State at the time of application.
-Operate in or provide services within Pueblo County or one of the following neighboring Southern Colorado counties: Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, or Otero.
-Eligible businesses and organizations can only receive one $2,500 mini grant during the two-year program. Applicants who are not awarded during the 2026 cycle can reapply for the mini grant next fall.
-Grants will be awarded to eligible businesses or organizations, not to individuals applying in their personal capacity.
-Applicants must comply with applicable state and federal nondiscrimination laws.
-Recipients must agree to participate in a one-hour consultation with a professional consultant before grant funds are disbursed. This consultation can take place via phone call, virtual meeting, or an in-person meeting.
-Applicants must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest(s) related to the application, review, or administration of grant funds.
-Your organization, business, or primary contact representative does not have to be a member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce or have any specific business affiliations.
-Submit a fully complete application and all required documentation by the deadline (incomplete applications will not be considered for funding).
Selection Process:
-Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of staff and Board members of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
-A scoring rubric that includes six categories and a maximum of 50 total points will be used to assess applications.
10 Points
1. Alignment with Program Goals
10 Points
2. Community Impact
10 Points
3. Demonstrated Need & Opportunity
10 Points
4. Proposed Use of Funds
5 Points
5. Community Involvement & Partnership(s)
5 Points
6. Sustainability & Long-Term Benefit
-The 20 highest scoring eligible applicants will be selected for funding. The review process will take approximately 60 days. Applicants will be notified as soon as decisions are made. We anticipate notifying all selected applicants by February 1, 2027.
-Recipients will be recognized at an Awards Reception, which will take place in person at the Latino Chamber of Commerce office building once all recipients have completed their consultations with the professional consultant. The Awards Reception will take place during February 2027 – March 2027. Funds will be disbursed to recipients during the Awards Reception. Once the Awards Reception date has been established, recipients will be notified right away.
-Grant recipients will be asked to complete a short grant report approximately 6 months after receiving funds to fulfill all reporting and documentation requirements.
-For questions regarding the grant or application, please contact our President & CEO Noah Commerford via email at noah@pueblolatinochamber.com or by phone at 719-542-5513.
Please read all application questions carefully and provide complete, accurate responses.
