To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Daniela Villarreal, Management Analyst, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Daniela Villarreal, Management Analyst, Commissioners’ Office
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Subject:
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3:30 PM *Aid to Agencies Program Overview
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this study session is to provide an overview of the Aid to Agencies program and seek concurrence to advance the 2026 grant cycle.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Good Governance - Understand and respond to community needs, interests, and values.
Background and Discussion:
Established in 2008, the Aid to Agencies (A2A) Program was created by the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations addressing critical service gaps for residents across the county. Funded through General Fund dollars, the program has awarded more than $30 million to 79 unique nonprofit organizations since its inception. For the 2026-2027 funding cycle, $3,079,500 in general fund monies will be available through the Aid to Agencies program, inclusive of safety net provider allocations.
The program was redesigned in 2025, consistent with the county’s strategic plan Arapahoe Forward, aligning investments with measurable outcomes and community-identified priorities. The updated framework prioritizes nonprofit programs serving Arapahoe County residents within four core service categories:
• Housing and Homeless Services
• Food Assistance
• Mental and Behavioral Health/Substance Use Services
• Transportation Services
To further strengthen equity and community impact, the framework also prioritizes services supporting targeted populations experiencing disproportionate barriers to stability and access, including:
• Individuals with disabilities
• Minority communities
• Older Adults
• Justice-involved individuals
• Youth
Data-Informed Analysis and Identified Community Needs
Subject matter experts from the County’s Community Resources, Human Services, Public Health and Commissioners’ Office collaborated to review multiple local and regional data sources to guide development of the updated framework, including:
• 2024 Community Health Assessment
• 2023 Community Needs Assessment
• 2024 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Annual Report
• 2025 Point-in-Time Homelessness Data
• 2019 Arapahoe County Housing Needs Assessment
• Annual performance reports from existing Aid to Agencies recipients
• U.S. Census and demographic trend data
• 2025 Housing Needs Assessment
• Community Health Improvement Plan
• Community Survey Results
These sources helped identify service gaps, emerging needs, and opportunities to improve alignment between County investments and resident outcomes.
The program represents a more strategic and data-informed approach to funding nonprofit partners delivering essential services to Arapahoe County residents. It builds upon the program’s legacy while strengthening accountability, transparency, and measurable impact.
Safety Net Provider Definition and Direct Funding Structure
As part of the framework update, the County refined its definition of safety net providers as nonprofit organizations that deliver essential services to vulnerable or underserved populations where limited alternative service capacity exists.
Organizations qualifying as safety net providers are distinguished by the following characteristics:
• Serve as the sole or primary provider of an essential service within the County
• Provide services that do not duplicate existing County programs
• Address high-need and high-impact service areas
• Demonstrate clear service uniqueness and documented community demand
Because these providers deliver critical infrastructure-level services, the framework limits the number of organizations eligible for direct safety net funding outside of the competitive application pool.
Two organizations currently meet these criteria:
• Three Birds Alliance (formerly Gateway Domestic Violence Services)
• Aurora Mental Health Center - Detox Services
These organizations are proposed to receive a combined $580,000 in base funding, with the opportunity to submit a modified application to reassess service demand and request additional support if justified by updated service data.
Proposed Funding Allocation by Service Category
Following allocation of base funding for designated safety net providers, the remaining Aid to Agencies funding is proposed to be distributed across the four priority service categories using a percentage-based model informed by community needs data, historical funding patterns, and alignment with County strategic priorities.
The proposed allocation structure is as follows:
This category-based allocation framework is intended to ensure County investments reflect documented service demand, support priority populations identified through community needs assessments, and maintain flexibility within the competitive application process to fund high-impact programs.
Final award amounts within each category will be determined through the application review and evaluation process and may be adjusted based on demonstrated need, applicant capacity, and program alignment with County priorities.
Competitive Funding Model
Beyond direct safety net funding, the revised Aid to Agencies program establishes a competitive application process within each funding category. Applications will be evaluated using standardized criteria designed to assess:
• alignment with County strategic priorities
• service to Arapahoe County residents
• demonstrated community need
• organizational capacity
• measurable program outcomes
The revised structure ensures funding decisions reflect both community priorities and documented program effectiveness.
Funded organizations will be required to report performance outcomes on a quarterly basis to support ongoing program evaluation, accountability, and future funding decisions by the Board.
Applications will be reviewed by an internal evaluation committee consisting of subject matter experts from Community Resources, Human Services, Public Health, and the Commissioners’ Office to ensure cross-departmental expertise informs funding recommendations.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for Aid to Agencies funding, organizations must:
• Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Demonstrate service delivery to Arapahoe County residents
• Provide programs aligned with one or more priority service categories
• Serve one or more identified priority populations experiencing barriers to stability or access
Applications that do not meet these minimum eligibility requirements will not advance for funding consideration.
Program Timeline
The anticipated 2026 funding cycle timeline is as follows:
• May 5, 2026 - Board Study Session: Aid to Agencies Program Overview
• June 8, 2026 - Application opens
• June-July 2026 - Applicant workshops and technical assistance
• August 7, 2026 - Application deadline
• August 17 - September 25, 2026 - Application review period
• September - October 2026 - Internal funding recommendation development
• November 9, 2026 - Board Study Session: Funding recommendations
• December 2026 - Award notifications issued
• December 2026 - Budget adoption
• January 2027 - Invoice processing and fund distribution begins
Alternatives: The Board may choose to approve the framework as presented, approve it with revisions, or choose not to approve it.
Fiscal Impact: The baseline Aid to Agencies budget, pending adoption of the 2027 budget, is $3,079,500.00.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: The attached framework helps Arapahoe County institutionalize values-based, transparent decision-making, documenting how we make decisions and carry out actions to achieve the county’s strategic plan.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the proposed framework.
Concurrence: Human Services Department, Community Resources Department, Commissioners’ Office, and Public Health Department.