The Denver Mill Levy Program is proud to partner with community organizations that support Denver residents with I/DD through its Community Initiatives Program. Through this program, RMHS provides funding to expand access, fill service gaps, and strengthen inclusion for individuals and families across the lifespan.
Community Initiative funding invests in organizations that deliver innovative, inclusive, and community-informed programming for people with I/DD to live healthy, connected, and supported lives.
Some examples of what funding can support include:
- Support with basic needs and home modifications (including CHRP)
- Accessible and affordable housing supports
- Navigation of Denver programs and services
- Community, social, recreation, and education programs
- Fitness and wellness activities
- Training for employment, daily living, or housing
- Partnerships between organizations to improve services
Priority Areas for Mill Levy Community Initiative Funding
The Denver Mill Levy program has high-priority focus areas for organizations interested in receiving funding, which are informed by community needs, service trends, and the guidance of the Community Advisory Council.
Priority areas include:
- Basic Needs & Housing Modifications: Resources that help meet every day needs and make homes safer and more accessible.
- Accessible & Affordable Housing Supports: Efforts that increase access to safe, affordable, and accessible housing options.
- Navigation and Access to Denver Programs & Services: Connecting individuals and families to available programs, services, and resources to help them navigate systems and access the support they need.
- Community-Based Social, Recreational, Educational & Legal Navigation Programs: Programs that expand access to community-based opportunities and provide guidance in navigating various systems.
- Social, Recreational & Fitness Supports: Opportunities that promote social connection, physical activity, and overall well-being through inclusive and accessible programming.
- Mentorship and Training for Employment, Housing, & Provider Capacity: Programs that build skills, confidence, and capacity through mentorship, training, and workforce development for individuals and service providers.
- Partnerships & Collaboration between Community Organizations: Collaborative efforts that strengthen coordination across organizations to improve access, reduce duplication, and better serve the community.
Note: Don’t rule yourself out. If your project supports individuals with I/DD in Denver but is outside the high-priority focus areas listed above, you are still eligible to apply.
Program Eligibility
Organizations may apply if they primarily serve or support residents of the City and County of Denver with I/DD, children with developmental delays age 5 and under, and individuals seeking a developmental disability or delay determination. RMHS considers the following individuals Denver residents:
- An individual physically residing in Denver with a verified address per the City Council District Map
- An individual experiencing homelessness presenting in Denver and intending to stay in Denver
- An individual under 21 years of age and in the custody of Denver Human Services
- An individual under 18 years of age and in primary legal and residency custody of a resident of Denver
Application Requirements
Your application and proposal should clearly explain:
- Information about what your organization does and who it serves
- Information about the project or service you’re requesting funding for, why this it’s needed, and how it will benefit the community
- Information about how you will carry out the project, the outcomes you expect to achieve, and your success measures
- A clear, detailed budget showing how funds will be used
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Helpful Documents
To ensure a smooth application process for Mill Levy funding, we recommend having all the documents below open while completing your application. The Line-Item Budget Template must be downloaded, filled out, and submitted separately via email. Please review the instructions carefully and refer to the application scoring guide to ensure all requirements are met.
Submit an Application
Click here to submit your application.
Note: We review proposals year-round on a rolling basis and award funding as it becomes available.
* RMHS reserves the right to modify, suspend, or close the rolling funding opportunity at any time based on funding availability, program priorities, or administrative requirements. *
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my organization have to serve individuals with I/DD?
The project or work of your organization must benefit individuals with I/DD but can target other populations. For example, if your proposal is focused on training for special education teachers, your proposal should include an explanation of how the training will directly benefit people with I/DD.
What do you consider to be “innovative services” for individuals with I/DD?
Something that we have never heard of or something that covers a gap in existing services. We had several proposals that were similar in intent last year, so they were unique only if they sought to meet a need in a unique way.
Do you require financial statements or tax filings from our organization to be submitted with our proposal?
No, RMHS doesn’t require any financial documents to be submitted with your proposal.
What supporting documentation is required for invoicing?
We use the items included in your proposal budget to determine what is needed for documentation. For example, if you include consultants or staff in the budget, we will require documentation for their time worked. If you are purchasing tangible items, please keep receipts. The requirement is for you to maintain back-up documentation for your expenses when you submit your invoice.
Can I submit a proposal that is outside of the high-priority funding area?
Yes.
How can RMHS support applicants and help with the RFP application?
We can only help with technical assistance and are unable to assist applicants with proposal content. However, RMHS wants all organizations, big or small, to have a fair chance to apply.
We offer:
- Optional technical assistance
- Plain language guides
- Translated materials
- Extra help for small or grassroots organizations. We cannot help you write your proposal, but we can help you understand the process.
If selected as a Community Initiative, will you help me find participants for my organization?
RMHS will support and share out the resource across eligible programs. Any ongoing referrals or marketing is the responsibility of the initiative.
Can I submit a proposal without the required documentation?
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Can I include additional documents, such as recommendation letters, with my proposal?
You may include any additional documents, but they cannot take the place of any part of the proposal.
How many proposals can I submit?
There is no limit to the number of proposals that you can submit.
For larger projects that can be separated into multiple proposals, would you recommend submitting multiple proposals?
Our preference is to submit one proposal unless the subprojects are so distinct that they can be independently defined and budgeted.
How does RMHS review applications and proposals?
RMHS uses a fair and consistent review process. We evaluate based on:
- How well the project aligns with identified community needs
- Whether the project is realistic and cost-effective
- Your organization’s ability to successfully carry out the work
- The clarity and strength of goals and outcome measures
To ensure fairness, anyone with a conflict of interest will not participate in reviewing your proposal. RMHS leadership makes final decisions about which projects get funded.
What happens if my project is funded?
If your project is funded, you will sign a contract with RMHS that explains:
- What your project will do
- The amount of funding you will receive
- The reports and invoices you must submit
- The rules and requirements you must follow
- A roster of eligible individuals served each month
Funding is reimbursement-based, which means:
- You spend the money first
- You send RMHS your receipts and documentation
- RMHS pays you back for approved expenses
You will also submit quarterly reports about how the project is going.
Questions?
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Mill Levy team at MillLevy@rmhumanservices.org
About the Denver Mill Levy Program
In 2003, Denver voters approved a one mill property tax to support residents with I/DD. This protected local funding source allows Denver to respond quickly when other systems, like Medicaid or state programs, face delays or limitations. Mill Levy funds are designed to supplement, not replace, existing public resources.
As Denver’s Community Centered Board (CCB) and Case Management Agency (CMA), RMHS serves as the city’s access point for I/DD services, supporting individuals from infancy through adulthood.
These long-term relationships allow RMHS to identify real-time service gaps and direct Mill Levy funding where it is needed most.
