Strengthening
Our Community
Together

In 2026, the Aspen Thrift Shop awarded $550,000 in grants

to 164 nonprofit organizations and schools including:

  • early childcare and after-school programs for working families.

  • scholarships so that all children can access enrichment opportunities in sports, academics, and the arts.

  • mentoring and community engagement.

  • school programs and special projects.

  • basic human needs.

  • conservation and environmental education.

  • and the cultural and community treasures that make the Roaring Fork Valley such an extraordinary place to live.

We Are Now Accepting Grant Applications

The Aspen Thrift Shop offers one grant cycle each year.

The application opens annually on August 1st. The application deadline is September 30th.

The Aspen Thrift Shop Grants Committee communicates with each applicant in early January. Grants are generally disbursed in the first half of the calendar year.

Please contact grants@aspenthriftshop.org with questions.

Grant Guidelines

PLEASE NOTE: The Aspen Thrift Shop offers one grant cycle per calendar year. Grant applications must be received by the September 30th deadline in order to be considered for subsequent year funding.

• Grant recipients should be locally based organizations (primarily Aspen to Carbondale) that provide benefit to the community, without the promotion of any particular political or religious ideology.

• Our Grants start at $500 and rarely exceed $5,000.

• Funds may be requested for new projects/programs, existing programs, and for general operating support. Organizations with annual operating budgets larger than $3.5 million are encouraged to request funding for a specific program rather tha general operating support.

• Grants shall be awarded only to organizations that are currently tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3).

• Grant recipient organizations must have been in existence for at least one year.

• Individual entities within a 501(c)(3) organization such as sports teams within schools, or affiliate subsidiaries or programs of a 501(c)(3) organization may make a grant request once a year.

• Grants shall not be awarded to pass-through organizations.•

• Grants shall not be awarded to individuals.

• Private educational facilities may be awarded grants to support their programs when the specific program benefits the community at large.

• Grants are disbursed throughout the year.

Spread the Word

We encourage grant recipients to recognize the Aspen Thrift Shop for the funding they recieve.

Why?

It helps YOU. Organizations that receive visible support from their local community have increased credibility with donors and other funding organizations.

It helps US. Publicity and recognition help the community understand what the Aspen Thrift Shop does and how we operate – all volunteer and entirely nonprofit. This makes the community all the more supportive of us, bringing more donations and more shoppers. In turn, our income increases which means more funding becomes available for grants for our community. We are proud to note that we give away over 80% of our income annually!

How?

Use our logo in your materials, both printed and online.

Mention us on social media.

Write a Letter to the Editor and send it to our local papers thanking us for our support. This recognizes our work and identifies you as a recipient of our funding. Please keep the dollar amount private out of respect for other nonprofits.
Mention the support of the Aspen Thrift Shop, where appropriate, at your events, in radio commercials, in media interviews, etc.

Encourage your employees, family, and friends to donate to and shop at the Aspen Thrift Shop.

Spread the Word

We encourage grant recipients to recognize the Aspen Thrift Shop for the funding they recieve.

Why?

It helps YOU. Organizations that receive visible support from their local community have increased credibility with donors and other funding organizations.

It helps US. Publicity and recognition help the community understand what the Aspen Thrift Shop does and how we operate – all volunteer and entirely nonprofit. This makes the community all the more supportive of us, bringing more donations and more shoppers. In turn, our income increases which means more funding becomes available for grants for our community. We are proud to note that we give away over 80% of our income annually!

How?

Use our logo in your materials, both printed and online.

Mention us on social media.

Write a Letter to the Editor and send it to our local papers thanking us for our support. This recognizes our work and identifies you as a recipient of our funding. Please keep the dollar amount private out of respect for other nonprofits.
Mention the support of the Aspen Thrift Shop, where appropriate, at your events, in radio commercials, in media interviews, etc.

Encourage your employees, family, and friends to donate to and shop at the Aspen Thrift Shop.