Note: For Phase 3, grants are for the expansion of existing partnerships and talent development programs that have demonstrated outcomes in job placement, career advancement, and wage gains for Coloradans in the specified sectors. This resource blog provides best practices to help prospective applicants determine program alignment with Phase 3.
Overview
The Opportunity Now Phase 3 application asks you to provide evidence of the efficacy of your program and to develop an approach for measuring outcomes through the grant program. It is essential that applicants are able to realize sector-related job placements during the grant period. Opportunity Now Phase 3 grants are anticipated to start Summer 2025 and will end on the following dates:
- Behavioral health sector grants will have an end date of June 30, 2026.
- Early childhood, education, health care and infrastructure grants will have an end date of October 31, 2026.
Please note that the grant start date may fluctuate depending on the duration and complexity of the due diligence and procurement processes. However, the grant end date is fixed and no extensions will be granted.
Colorado Evidence Continuum
The Colorado Evidence Continuum model, developed by the State of Colorado and Pew Charitable Trusts, is a model that the state has used since 2014 to ensure that grant funds are applied to programs that work.
Programs applying for Opportunity Now Phase 3 grants must be an existing program and demonstrate they have achieved, at minimum, Steps 2 or 3 of the Evidence Continuum: identifying outputs and assessing outcomes. More specifically, Opportunity Now is looking for applicants who can demonstrate their programs lead to sector-related job placement and/or career advancement through the following methods:
- Collection and use of program performance data
- A system of continuous improvement
- Completion of a pre- and post-program evaluation
Grant recipients must:
- Be focused on building pathways to living wage jobs in specified sectors
- Focus on economic mobility outcomes, e.g., job placements/advancements
- Be focused on an eligible sector with proven regional job needs
- Be centered in regional/statewide employer workforce needs
- Have developed industry and training, education, and/or community partnerships and programs
- Demonstrate that the program meets at least steps 2 or 3 of the Colorado Evidence Continuum model
- Realize sector-related job placements during the grant period
Additional Resources
- Our Approach to Building Evidence – University of Denver: Colorado Evaluation & Action Lab
- Colorado’s ‘Evidence Continuum’ Promotes Efficient, Effective Public Programs – Pew Charitable Trusts