Since 1983, the city of Thornton has provided grant funds to assist nonprofit organizations that help Thornton residents meet their basic needs and enhance their ability to be self-sufficient. Basic needs are identified as food, housing, health and medical, or human services. Nonprofit organizations that help people move from relying on private or public assistance to providing for one's own needs is also eligible for funding. A committee of residents reviews the grant applications and makes a recommendation to City Council.
TAF Accomplishment Report Guidelines
Organizations that receive a grant through the Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) shall complete their TAF Accomplishment Report online to share with us the impact this funding has made for their organization and/or program. The dates funded by this grant are January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Even though funding is not awarded until June, organizations can retroactively apply the grant starting in January of the grant year.
Organizations that received funding in 2025 can start their TAF Accomplishment Report beginning November 1, 2025. The deadline for submitting their report is by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026. All organizations that received a grant in 2025 will receive an email that includes the link to the reporting site. Organizations can also access the TAF Accomplishment Report Database by clicking the button at top of this page. By submitting your TAF Accomplishment Report, you are certifying that the information is true and accurate. Agencies that fail to submit this report by the deadline will not be eligible to apply for TAF in 2026.
Login Directions
Existing users can log into the database using your previously created username and password to complete your TAF Accomplishment Report. Please use the following steps to get started:
- Visit the TAF Accomplishment Report Database
- To register as a new user, click on “Register” and follow the steps to create your account.
- You will then receive an email in your inbox with a link that states “Confirm your email.” Make sure you click on the link to confirm your email address.
- Once you are logged in under your Thornton Common Login account, you can click C2 and choose “Start a Thornton Assistance Fund (TAF) Accomplishment Report.” Select the “2025” year.
Accomplishment Report Content
- Contact Information
- Details of the 2025 award
- Results/Outcomes – Number of Unduplicated clients/or Thornton residents served
- Lessons Learned
- Collaborations
- External Factors
- Future Funding Plans
- Collaboration Ideas
- Communication Plans
- Other Comments
Financial attachments are not required with your TAF Accomplishment Report. You will receive a confirmation email once you submit your report. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact us.
Contact
If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact Marisela Blanco at 720-977-5813 or email Marisela.Blanco@ThorntonCO.gov.
2026 TAF Application Guidelines
Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) are granted to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that help Thornton residents meet their basic needs and enhance their ability to be self-sufficient. Basic needs are identified as food, housing, health/medical, and human services. Helping people move from relying on private or public assistance to providing for one’s own needs is important for the success of Thornton residents. Therefore, programs that enhance Thornton residents' ability to be self-sufficient beyond meeting their identified basic needs are also eligible for funding. Nonprofit organizations that do not have a 501(c)3 designation can apply through a 501(c)3 Fiscal Agent. Faith-based organizations may not apply for Organizational Support; they are only eligible for Program Support. No applicant can require participation in religious activities in order to receive services.
This year the total available funding for all combined TAF recipients is $314,264. The 2026 TAF Application will open on November 1st and will be due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Organizations that are interested in applying can access the online TAF Application Database. Organizations will be required to log in to their existing account or create a new Thornton Common Login to complete the application. By submitting an application, you are certifying that the information is true and accurate. Organizations that fail to submit the application by the deadline will not be eligible for TAF in 2026.
While we strongly recommend you apply by January 3, 2026, in order to permit an early review of your organization’s application materials to ensure compliance with application requirements, the final application deadline is 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Please note if you submit incomplete or inaccurate application materials, your organization may be omitted from consideration.
Below is a calendar designed to guide your organization on the recommended timing for submitting your application. We strongly encourage you to submit during the week highlighted in green, or no later than the week highlighted in yellow. While submissions during the red-highlighted week are still accepted, please be aware that this may not allow sufficient time for us to review your application or assist with any feedback, troubleshooting you may need, or if there is an issue which can cause your application to be considered incomplete or possibly ineligible.
The 2026 Council Priorities will be posted on our website by December 19th, so that nonprofit organizations know what areas of need our City Council has asked the TAF Committee to focus on.
Login Directions
You will have a database to input your organization’s contact information and submit your application. This online tool will save your information, and you can update it anytime. Follow these steps to get started.
- To log in to your existing account or register as a new user and create your Thornton Common Login, go to TAF Application Database.
- Click on “Register” and follow the steps to create your account.
- You will then receive an email with a link that states “Confirm your email”. Click on the link to confirm.
- Once you are logged in, click “Start a Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) Application”, under “Assistance Program” choose the “2026 Thornton Assistance Funds” option.
- Enter the “Legal Name of the Organization” (it will need to be the same name used when you created the account).
- Lastly, click the “Start Assistance Fund Application” button.
Application Content
- Contact Information
- Financial Information
- Goals and Planning
- Program Request Summary (will need to be answered by organizations applying for Program Support)
- Evaluation – data on unduplicated clients/residents served in 2025
- Collaboration and Volunteers
- Inclusiveness Statement
Required Financial Attachments
Beginning in 2026, all TAF Applications will first be reviewed by Thornton's finance department on a pass/fail basis. Those that pass then proceed to be reviewed by the Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) Committee.
- New: Form 990 – Informational Tax Form (from 2024)
- 2026 Program Budget (if requesting Program Support)
- Organizations Budget for their 2026 Fiscal Year
- Income and Expense Statement (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2025)
- Statement of Financial Position or Balance Sheet as of (12/31/2025)
- Proof of IRS Federal Income Tax-Exempt Status – dated within the last 5 years
- Current W-9 Form – must be signed and dated within the last 12 months
- Financial Audit (optional)
Additional Attachments for Organizations using a Fiscal Agent / Fiscal Sponsor:
- Proof of IRS Federal Tax-Exempt Status for the Fiscal Agent
- Memo of Understanding/Contract between the organization and the Fiscal Agent
- Financial attachments of the Organization’s 2025 budget, the Statement of Financial Position or Budget Sheet, and Income and Expenses Statement (2025 Fiscal Year) for the Fiscal Agent
Other Required Attachments
- Anti-Discrimination Statement
- Board of Directors List
- List of Key Staff
- Conflict of Interest Form [PDF/123KB]
- Annual Report (optional)
- If you are partnering with another organization to offer the program for which you are applying, please include a letter of support from that organization with your TAF application.
Process Information
You will receive a confirmation email once you submit your application. If you do not receive this email, please contact Marisela Blanco at 720-977-5813 or Marisela.Blanco@ThorntonCO.gov.
Applications will first be reviewed by Thornton’s finance department on a pass/fail basis. Those that pass will then proceed to be reviewed by the Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) Committee. The TAF Committee is formed by a group of Thornton residents appointed by Thornton City Council. They review the applications and determine a Funding Recommendation. Approved applicants will be invited to a short 15-minute interview with the TAF Committee in February or March on a Thursday afternoon between 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
This year we will offer two options for interviews:
In-Person Interviews: All in-person interviews will take place at Community Connections, located at 9471 Dorothy Blvd., Thornton, CO 80229.
Online Interviews: If your organization chooses an online interview, a Microsoft Teams link will be provided. Please be aware that we have received feedback in the past that online interviews may occasionally experience technical issues, such as poor audio quality, screen freezing, or lag. Due to the high volume of interviews and the strict 15-minute time limit for each interview, we will not be able to reschedule in the event of technical difficulties—whether on your end or ours. While we strongly recommend that organizations attend their interviews in person, we understand that some may prefer to participate virtually.
After the interviews, the TAF committee will present their Funding Recommendation to Thornton City Council. This meeting typically takes place in late May. Funds to the awarded organizations will be mailed out mid-to-late June.
If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact Marisela Blanco at 720-977-5813 or Marisela.Blanco@ThorntonCO.gov.
2025 TAF Resolution of Awards
City Council approved $307,800 in Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) for 32 service organizations that help Thornton residents with basic needs and help them to become self-sufficient. This gives Thornton residents the opportunity to have access to food, housing, health and medical resources. The Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF) Committee interviewed each organization that is working hard to meet the needs of our community. The committee passionately debated how these very important funds should be distributed. We appreciate each organization that applied for funding and their service to Thornton residents. We hope that you reapply in the future.
Organizations that receive funding will need to complete and submit a TAF Accomplishment Report online by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026. Organizations that fail to submit a complete TAF Accomplishment Report by the due date will not be eligible to apply for TAF the following year. Guidelines for completing and submitting the report will be available in November 2025.