Welcome, Reception, and Integration Grant Program

The Latino Community Foundation is partnering with the Office of New American’s (ONA) to administer the Welcome, Reception, and Integration (WRI) grant opportunity in the state of Colorado.

The WRI grant opportunity was created for Colorado community-based organizations that possess the capacity to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for immigrants who have arrived in the United States within one year of the time of services.

Timeline

February 14, 2025 : WRI Grant Application Open at 9am 

February 19, 2025 - 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. : WRI Grant Informational Webinar

February 20 - March 3 : Weekly Office Hour Sessions

March 7, 2025 at 5pm MST: WRI Application Deadline 

March 17, 2025 - March 21, 2025 : Applicant Review 

April 1, 2025: Award Notification  

April 1 - April 7, 2025: Preparation of Grant Award Agreements 

How to Apply

The deadline to apply was Friday, March 7 2025 at 5pm MST. Applications are no longer being accepted. Thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal.

Technical Assistance

Below are reference materials from previous office hours:

Application Training, Wednesday, February 19

Weekly Office Hour Sessions: 

Thursday, February 20, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, February 27, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. 

Monday, March 3, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Written questions can be submitted to WRIAssistance@gmail.com. You can also use this email if you have any difficulties applying.

In Partnership with

Eligibility

This funding is for Community-Based 501c3 Organizations. All applicants for this award must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

About the Program

With the enactment of HB24-1280, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), through the Office of New Americans (ONA), will fund Colorado community-based organizations to provide humanitarian relief to newly arrived immigrants (within 12 months*) to the U.S. who intend to call Colorado home. These funds are authorized and budgeted from the statewide Welcome, Reception, and Integration (WRI) cash fund created in C.R.S. section 8-3.7-205. Any money appropriated in this section not expended before July 1, 2025, is further appropriated to ONA for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 state fiscal years for the same purpose. The Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, the administering entity, will manage the application process and administer the grant throughout its life cycle.

* The twelve-month timeframe may be changed by legislation at a later date

    • Housing, Housing-Related Services, or Referrals to Housing 

    • Case Management

    • Employment Services or Referrals to Employment Services

    • Conducting Intake and Assessment of Needs  

    • Cultural Orientation   

    • Distributing Emergency and Transitional Supplies, Including Food and Clothing   

    • English as a Second Language Classes or a Referral to English as a Second Language Classes  

    • Financial Orientation  

    • Mental Health Services or Referrals to Mental Health Services  

    • Referrals to Physical Health Services  

    • Services or Referrals to Disability Services  

    • Assisting Immigrant Parents to Enroll Their Children in Public School or Summer Programs  

    • Interpretation and Translation Services  

    • Transportation, Bus Passes, and Orientation to the Bus and Transportation System  

    • Immigration Legal Assistance or Referrals to Immigration Legal Services  

    • Coordination of Activities Among Community-Based Organizations

  • The WRI Grant Program was created for Colorado community-based organizations that possess the capacity to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for immigrants who have arrived in the United States within one year of the time of services. Therefore, all applicants to this award must ensure the eligibility of immigrants seeking services by verifying that each individual: 

    • Has documented proof, including a passport, travel documents, an affidavit, or other approved method of demonstrating their compliance with the definition of new arrival (within 12 months of the date of services). 

    • Does not qualify for federal support services or refugee resettlement assistance benefits. 

    • For rental assistance, can sustain the rent (either by providing proof of income or sponsorship)  

  • The focus of this award is to promote the integration of new arrivals into Colorado’s social, cultural, and economic life. The following are the scoring criteria.

    • Service Requirement: Applicant has programs and systems that can effectively provide two or more of the three core services (housing, case management, or employment services) and shows a history of providing those services to immigrants. 

    • Cultural & Language Capacity: Applicant has the capacity and experience to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to immigrants. 

    • Location: Applicant indicated their geographic reach by state counties or region. Consideration will be given to rural and non-metro-based organizations. 

    • Description: Applicant has in place and can clearly describe the services that their organizations can provide to immigrants.  

    • Impact: Applicant demonstrates previous positive impact(s) on immigrants, including new arrivals, as shown through program, grant, or annual report. 

    • References/Good standing: Applicants' letters of reference verify the applicant's work in the community and document how you engaged immigrants or new arrivals in your programs and services (both in design and implementation). 

  • This is a one-time 12-month funding opportunity. Approximately $2.11 million is available for all entities, and approximately seven to ten grants will be issued. 

    Funding Maximum 

    Applicants may request up to $300,000 

    Application Period 

    Opens Friday, February 14, 2025 

    Closes Friday, March 7, 2025