Who Qualifies to Receive SCFD Funds?

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District statute outlines eligibility criteria applicable to ALL organizations seeking funding.  The minimum requirements for SCFD funds recipients are as follows:

1. Qualifying/Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of scientific and cultural facilities shall be "to provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation of art, music, theatre, dance, zoology, botany, natural history, or cultural history."

"Cultural facility" means a nonprofit institutional organization having as its primary purpose the advancement and preservation of art, music, theatre or dance.

"Scientific facility" means a nonprofit institutional organization having as its primary purpose the advancement and preservation of zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history.

"Cultural history" means the history that concentrates upon the social, intellectual, and artistic aspects or forces in the life of a people, region, state, or nation, for which an understanding and appreciation may be gained through buildings, structures, sites, architecture, objects, and activities significant to said history.

2. Tax Status Requirements

a) Scientific and cultural facilities shall demonstrate evidence of tax-exempt status as determined by the IRS 501(c) (3) Letter of Determination. Such letters shall have been issued or re-issued within the last five years.

The board accepts organizations with a national affiliation that cannot acquire an in-state 501(c)(3) status.  They must:

• Have Colorado incorporation, and
• Be governed by a local board, and
• Show proof of individual 990 tax filings, and
• Not otherwise be able to get an individual tax status

b) Provide evidence of status as an agency of local government whose purpose qualifies for participation, e.g. provide formal resolution creating the cultural entity.

c) To qualify for Tier II, an organization must have been in existence, operating and serving the public for at least five years prior to the distribution of Tier II funds.

d) To qualify for Tier III, an organization must have been in existence, operating and serving the public for at least three years prior to the distribution of Tier III funds.

e) The statute does not allow funding of:

• any agency of the state (includes libraries)
• any educational institution, school, or educational foundation
• any church
• any radio or television broadcasting network or station
• any cable communications system
• any newspaper or magazine
• any organization that is engaged solely in the acquisition or physical restoration of historic buildings, structures or site

3. Public Benefit Requirement

Funding must be used to support accessible programs and events with direct, identifiable and measurable public benefit principally to the residents of the district.

4. Geographic Requirements

Eligible organizations must:

1. Be physically located within the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, which excludes Castle Rock and Larkspur;
2. Conduct a majority of their activities within the state of Colorado; and
3. Offer activities that are accessible to and benefit the residents within the district

5. Non-Discrimination Requirements

The organization must have non-discrimination policies and practices which have been formally approved by the board of directors, stating that the organization pledges not to discriminate against any employee, volunteer program participant, or other, on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, gender, veteran status, political service, affiliation or disability.

SCFD Non-Discrimination Policy

How to Apply for Eligibility

1. Download the Eligibility Application
2. Complete the eligibility application.
3. Submit Application between June 1 and October 31 to:
   Eligibility Application Review
   Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
   899 Logan Street, Suite 500
   Denver, CO 80203
4. Receive eligibility confirmation. Organizations must obtain this confirmation before they may apply for funding. Eligibility confirmation may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the organization and the volume of other requests the SCFD is processing.  Eligibility DOES NOT guarantee funding of an organization.

If you have questions after reviewing the eligibility materials, please contact Nancy McCamey or Donna Smith at (303) 860-0588, extensions 112 or 113 respectively. You may also email questions to either nancy@scfd.org or donna@scfd.org.