Helping our communities across Colorado
For decades, Ent has contributed millions of dollars to support communities across Colorado as a part of our mission to improve our members’ financial quality of life. As a “community advocate” we have a vested interest in supporting the communities where our owner-members live, work and play.
We are partnering with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation to help us raise awareness of the funding available to organizations through Ent, identify volunteer opportunities for Ent employees and to maximize the impact of our financial contributions.
Simple steps to apply
Ent provides funding to various nonprofits along the Front Range that fall into any of the following impact categories:
- Youth: Primary program impact focuses on children under the age of 18 with emphasis on impact in housing, food, behavioral and/or mental health.
- Education: Primary program impact supports classroom learning at all levels, with an emphasis on organizations that design and manage these educational initiatives. For higher education, the focus is primarily on providing scholarships to students attending Colorado-based universities and community colleges.
- Community: Primary program impact addresses major community issues with a focus on community enrichment, food banks, homelessness, and/or poverty.
- Legacy: Primary program impact does not fit into any categories above but may continue to receive support based on Ent’s Colorado Springs heritage.
For more information, view our contribution guidelines.
To apply, you must submit an application through Ent’s online grant portal. Requests and/or applications submitted through email and mail will not be accepted.
The funding application includes, but is not limited to:
- Nonprofit details and program information
- Geographic impact
- Community impact if funding is given
- Volunteer information for Ent employees
- Prior exposure and/or relationship with Ent
For assistance navigating the application portal, please contact our Grant Administrator at amccreary-ellis@ppcf.org.
Funding requests are reviewed by the Community Advocacy Decision Committee on a quarterly basis. Collectively, the committee reviews the application and scores the application based on Ent’s guidelines, impact categories (see step A above) and a decision matrix to determine an amount to award the requester, if any. The decision matrix includes criteria such as:
- Geographical reach
- Due diligence and impact if funding was awarded
- Volunteer opportunities available
Once the Decision Committee meets, nonprofit organizations will receive an email from Ent regarding their decision. If awarded, a check will be delivered through Pikes Peak Community Foundation.
Common questions
Ent Credit Union may make contributions, donate funds or otherwise sponsor:
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Nonprofit organizations located in or conducting business in the areas it serves as described in its charter.
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Organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate primarily to promote or develop credit unions.
Ent Credit Union will not make philanthropic contributions to:
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Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, creed, religion, age, national origin, gender or sexual orientation
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Organizations or programs that are primarily religious in nature or purpose
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Labor unions
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Political organizations or candidates for public office
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Sports teams unless the sports team is part of a direct sponsorship or an approved affiliate program
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Individual primary or secondary schools unless the school is part of a direct sponsorship or an approved affiliate program
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Organizations or programs that are controversial based on political or cultural norms
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Pass-through nonprofits (third-party support) e.g., Lion’s Club
Support in previous years does not guarantee an organization will automatically receive support from Ent in subsequent years.
2025 decision meetings: The scheduled decision meetings for 2025 are as follows:
- March 6
- June 5
- Sept 4
- Dec 4
Early decision not available: Early decision is not offered. Please plan your application submission in accordance with the scheduled decision meetings. Thank you!
Application deadline: All applications must be submitted no later than seven (7) calendar days prior to the scheduled decision meeting.
All nonprofit organizations will receive an email confirmation that their application has been received. Once the Decision Committee meets, nonprofit organizations will receive an email from Ent regarding their decision. If awarded, a check will be delivered through Ent’s partner, Pikes Peak Community Foundation within 14 business days after the committee meeting.
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