Applications

The purpose of the Community Focus Fund is to add to the quality of life in our service area and in communities that are significantly affected by our operations. Major focus areas for support include: seniors, youth, education, community, environment, housing assistance, safety and well being.

What projects or activities are considered for support?

The Community Focus Fund provides the following to qualifying local educational and non-profit organizations:

• funds for program support
• computer donations
• volunteer hours from employees

Projects or activities that we do NOT support

• personal requests
• monetary pledges for agency-sponsored walks, runs or similar events
• requests for administrative costs
• projects sponsored by religious organizations, unless the project is for general community benefit and does not promote any religious doctrine

Colorado Springs Utilities and the Community Focus Fund are prohibited by law from providing free or preferred-priced utilities to any entity including tax-exempt organizations.

Applying for support

Applications for financial support in 2008 are being accepted. Applications must be completed online no later than Dec. 7, 2007 at 5 p.m.

The mandatory online application helps to simplify the application and approval process. Your application must be completed online and submitted electronically. Hard copy applications will not be considered.

Once you have completed the online application, any additional required hard copy documentation should be submitted by mail to:

Colorado Springs Utilities
Community Focus Fund
P.O. Box 1103, MC 0950
Colorado Springs, CO 80947-0950

You can also deliver these documents in person to 121 S. Tejon Street, Plaza of the Rockies - South Tower, Suite 500 (located on the corner of Tejon Street and Colorado Avenue). Parking is available in the City parking garage at Nevada Avenue and Colorado Avenue.

All additional documentation must also be received by the deadline above.

Note: We will no longer accept faxes of the required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

When and how will I be notified if my application request was approved?

• We notified all agencies in writing by March 7, 2007 if requests have been approved or denied.
• The Community Focus Fund Steering Committee has limited funds and resources and uses its best judgment to make decisions that are based on the information presented in accordance with grant criteria.

If you have any questions, please call 668-3804 or send an e-mail.

Technical tips for completing the application:

• Use the tab key to move from field to field.
• It may be easiest to print the application, compile all of your data, and then enter into the online form. There is no way to save the application and come back to it later.
• Type your copy in a word processing program document, then cut and paste into the application form. Formatting such as bullets and tabs may be lost.