To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Trish Muller, CPA, Finance Director
Title
Discussion/Direction of Applications for the 2026 Third Quarter Council Community Grant Program, Three Eligible Applicants
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The Council Community Grant Program (CCGP) has an annual budget of $20,000 funded by the Town Council Non-profit Grants account in the General Fund. The Town disburses funds for the grants quarterly in $5,000 increments to non-profit organizations within the Castle Rock community. Individual grants cap at $1,000 per request. The Town of Castle Rock Finance Department receives the applications, reviews them for eligibility, and presents the grant requests to Town Council.
The Town received three (3) qualified applications for the 3rd Quarter CCGP (Attachment A).
|
Organization |
Amount Requested |
Purpose |
|
Clothes To Kids of Denver |
$1000 |
The mission of Clothes To Kids of Denver (CTKD) is to provide new and quality used clothing in a boutique setting to students from low-income or in-crisis families in the Denver Metro Area. Funding will be used to provide new shoes for about 153 students. CTKD has provided approximately 3,000 wardrobes to students from Castle Rock. |
|
ALTA Charitable Foundation |
$1000 |
The requested grant funds would specifically support training assistance for a Castle Rock-based professional pursuing Academic Language credentials. Although ALTA operates nationally, its proposed initiative is focused on Castle Rock and led by a Castle Rock-based team. |
|
The Aspen Effect |
$1000 |
The Aspen Effect builds resilient families through mentorship, animals, and a healing ranch environment. Funding would support mentor matching, facilities, animal care, and related program costs for two Castle Rock families. |
This memo intends to present these applications to Council for consideration and approval.
Discussion
The General Fund acts as the source of monies for the Council Community Grant Program. Specific non-profit organizations for community-based projects receive CCGP funds. Organizations may apply on an as-needed basis, and staff reviews applications quarterly.
Eligible project areas for CCGP include projects that contribute to Castle Rock’s “quality of life” with special emphasis on programs and activities for:
• Youth
• Seniors
• Community based environment and sustainability
Attachment B lists the amounts awarded for the 2022-2025 Council Community Grant Program.
Brief Overview of Application:
Clothes To Kids of Denver (CTKD) - CTKD provides free school clothing and a personalized shopping experience for students in need throughout the 11-county Denver Metro Area, including the Town of Castle Rock and Douglas County. CTKD’s welcoming, store-like setting focuses on providing students with quality clothing, a wide selection and positive shopping experience. As of July 31, 2026, CTKD has served 142,632 students since September 2008, including approximately 3,000 wardrobes provided to students from Castle Rock. CTKD serves students from preschool through 12th grade. The requested $1,000 in funding would support CTKD’s “Shoes for Every Shopper!” initiative, providing new shoes to approximately 153 students.
ALTA Charitable Foundation - The ALTA Charitable Foundation is dedicated to expanding access to effective literacy intervention for individuals with dyslexia and related written-language difficulties. Of the requested funding, 80% ($800) would support training assistance for Colorado dyslexia specialists, while the remaining 20% ($200) would support the administrative and operational costs associated with processing awards, communicating with applicants, maintaining financial records and meeting compliance requirements. While the Foundation serves communities nationwide, its initiative is focused specifically in Castle Rock and will work directly with a local dyslexia therapy center in Castle Rock.
The Aspen Effect - The Aspen Effect connects and strengthens families through its Ranch Mentor Club, a 14-week program that pairs youth with certified, background checked adult mentors. Youth and mentors meet weekly at the ranch, working side-by-side on service activities and projects designed to build resilience and connection. Funds would help sponsor two Castle Rock families, with the cost of supporting each family exceeding $500. Funding would assist with program expenses such as mentor matching, facilities, animal care, onsite management, project materials, and other related costs.
Budget Considerations
The 2026 budget includes $20,000, $5,000 available for each quarter, in the Town Council Non-profit Grants account in the General Fund for the 2026 Council Community Grant Program.
Staff Recommendation
Staff defers to Council decisions on awards to applicants. Traditionally Council approves a $1,000 award to each of the non-profit organizations presented in this grant cycle, assuming consideration of a maximum of 5 applications per quarter.
Proposed Motion
“I move to award funding to the following organizations:
|
Organization |
Amount Awarded |
|
Clothes To Kids of Denver |
|
|
ALTA Charitable Foundation |
|
|
The Aspen Effect |
|
Alternative Motions
“I move to award funding to the following organization(s) for a different amount:
Organization (New Amount)
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on _____ date to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Attachment A: Applications
Attachment B: Award History
Attachment C: Staff Presentation
Attachment D: CCGP Overview