To address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions, dismantling stigma, and turning the community’s desire to help into action.
Caring for Denver Foundation’s grantmaking centers on Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs, with large awards flowing to city agencies and health providers that build community-informed responses. Recent funding includes $6,004,217 to the City and County of Denver for Mental Health and $2,993,353 to Denver Health and Hospitals Foundation for Transforming Health. Those awards show a pattern of supporting public systems and service networks rather than individuals. The foundation also funds alternatives to jail and crisis-response work. It gave $2,772,032 to City and County of Denver - Denver for DPD Co-Responder Pro and $2,000,000 to City and County of Denver - Mayor's for House1000 Behavioral, both pointing to behavioral health support tied to public safety and crisis intervention. Community-centered behavioral health appears throughout the grant list, along with youth services, recovery supports, and provider development. Grants to organizations such as La Raza Services Inc, Muslim Youth for Positive Impact, and Brain Injury Association of Colorado show attention to culturally specific services, youth mental wellness, and specialized behavioral health supports. With annual grants of $117,544,121 and assets of $108,614,298, the foundation operates at substantial local scale within Denver and the broader Colorado service network.
Behavioral health systems are a major theme. The foundation gave $2,772,032 to City and County of Denver - Denver for DPD Co-Responder Pro, and $1,530,845 to City and County of Denver - Department for Support Team Assiste, showing support for crisis-oriented public responses. Youth mental health is another clear area. Denver Health and Hospitals Foundation received $1,722,813 for Youth Crisis Team Re, and Denver Center for 21st Century Lear received $914,502 for Re-Imagining Our Men, connecting the foundation to school-age and youth-facing mental health work. The grant list also includes culturally specific and community-based services. La Raza Services Inc received $936,954 for Comunidad Sana, while Muslim Youth for Positive Impact received $821,854 for MYPI Mental Wellness, indicating support for Spanish-speaking and Muslim youth communities. Recovery and harm reduction appear as well. Harm Reduction Action Center received $834,208 for Let’s Talk About Lif, and Tribe Recovery Homes received $971,780, linking the foundation to substance use support and recovery housing.
$44.8M
$108.6M
$52.7M
$47.5M
Most grants fall between $80K and $326K, with a median of $170K.
25th Percentile
$80K
Median
$170K
75th Percentile
$326K
About 97% of grants go to recipients in CO.
LESLIE HEROD
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Typical grant sizes cluster at a fairly high local-service level: p25 is $79,875, the median is $170,381, and p75 is $325,843. The recent grants list also shows several awards in the seven-figure range, which suggests the foundation uses both mid-sized operating support and larger system-level grants. Recipients reappear across years, including Denver Health and Hospitals Foundation, City and County of Denver entities, and ParadigmONE, indicating recurring relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Giving is highly concentrated in Colorado, with 97% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Denver is the main recipient city, joined by Aurora, Broomfield, Greenwood Village, and other Colorado locations. Examples from the recent grants list include Denver-based public agencies and nonprofit providers, plus awards to ParadigmONE in Aurora and Muslim Youth for Positive Impact in Broomfield. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Its stated focus areas include mental health, substance misuse and recovery, alternatives to jail and criminal-legal diversion, youth services, community-centered behavioral health, provider training and workforce development, and evaluation and learning.
Typical grants are mid-sized to large: the 25th percentile is $79,875, the median is $170,381, and the 75th percentile is $325,843.
Its giving is local and heavily concentrated in Colorado: 97% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and recent recipients are primarily in Denver, with additional grants in Aurora, Broomfield, and Greenwood Village.
Yes. The recent grants list shows recurring awards to the same recipients across multiple years, including Denver Health and Hospitals Foundation, City and County of Denver entities, and ParadigmONE.
It does not fund individuals and it does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARADIGMONE | AURORA, CO | $2,778,822 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL SAFETY |
| DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FOUNDAT | DENVER, CO | $2,597,753 | 2025 | TRANSFORMING HEALTH |
| CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - DENVER | DENVER, CO | $2,106,655 | 2025 | DPD CO-RESPONDER PRO |
| CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - DEPARTM | DENVER, CO | $1,530,845 | 2025 | SUPPORT TEAM ASSISTE |
| CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - MAYOR'S | DENVER, CO | $1,500,000 | 2025 | HOUSE 1000 BEHAVIORA |
| COMMN | DENVER, CO | $1,128,888 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH AND RE |
| CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - COUNTY | DENVER, CO | $1,084,790 | 2025 | DCC SPECIALTY PROGRA |
| LIFESPAN LOCAL | DENVER, CO | $964,824 | 2025 | CARING FOR AT-PROMIS |
| LA RAZA SERVICES INC | DENVER, CO | $936,954 | 2025 | COMUNIDAD SANA ("COM |
| HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER | DENVER, CO | $834,208 | 2025 | LET'S TALK ABOUT LIF |
| MUSLIM YOUTH FOR POSITIVE IMPACT | BROOMFIELD, CO | $821,854 | 2025 | MYPI MENTAL WELLNESS |
| METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DE | DENVER, CO | $812,864 | 2025 | BUILDING DENVERS MEN |
| THE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM | DENVER, CO | $808,532 | 2025 | PEER SUPPORT SPECIAL |
| FIDELITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $724,546 | 2025 | DENVER COUNTY MENTAL |
| BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF COLORAD | DENVER, CO | $720,660 | 2025 | EXPANDING SERVICE DE |
| JOY AS RESISTANCE | DENVER, CO | $719,555 | 2025 | JOY AS RESISTANCE EX |
| URBAN PEAK | DENVER, CO | $698,610 | 2025 | INCREASING MENTAL HE |
| COLORADO VILLAGE COLLABORATIVE | DENVER, CO | $695,345 | 2025 | PEER & MENTAL HEALTH |
| SUN VALLEY YOUTH CENTER | DENVER, CO | $669,807 | 2025 | ENHANCING LOW-INCOME |
| VIVE | DENVER, CO | $636,522 | 2025 | NEWCOMERS SALUD MENT |
| SECOND CHANCE CENTER INC | AURORA, CO | $633,293 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH AND SU |
| CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - DISTRIC | DENVER, CO | $632,072 | 2025 | DENVER DA ADULT DIVE |
| SOBRIETY HOUSE INC | DENVER, CO | $611,759 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHI |
| ADVOCATES FOR RECOVERY COLORADO | WESTMINSTER, CO | $562,057 | 2025 | RECOVER TOGETHER: EX |
| THE CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HEA | DENVER, CO | $561,708 | 2025 | EXPANDING MENTAL HEA |
| ADAM'S PURPOSE | DENVER, CO | $539,576 | 2025 | HEALING TOGETHER: EM |
| PROJECT RESTART INC | DENVER, CO | $515,505 | 2025 | STRENGTHENING MENTAL |
| SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $493,155 | 2025 | BLOOM PERINATAL BEHA |
| WARREN VILLAGE INC | DENVER, CO | $487,310 | 2025 | THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS |
| VUELA FOR HEALTH | DENVER, CO | $482,566 | 2025 | LUZ Y CLARIDAD, YOUT |
| SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER | DENVER, CO | $453,750 | 2025 | DENVER SCHOOL COUNSE |
| COLORADO METH PROJECT INC | BROOMFIELD, CO | $446,851 | 2025 | LEAD THE CHANGE DENV |
| MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $420,972 | 2025 | SAFER OPPORTUNITIES |
| VIVE | DENVER, CO | $408,760 | 2025 | VIVE CON BIENESTAR |
| MONTBELLO ORGANIZING COMMITTEE | DENVER, CO | $366,492 | 2025 | MONTBELLO SOLUTIONS |
| THE ROAD CALLED STRATE | AURORA, CO | $363,012 | 2025 | REBUILD YOUR MIND |
| COLLABORATIVE HEALING INITIATIVE WI | AURORA, CO | $359,575 | 2025 | RE-ENTER, RE-BUILD, |
| HOMIES UNIDOS DENVER | DENVER, CO | $350,896 | 2025 | TRAUMA-INFORMED VIOL |
| ABILITY CONNECTION COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $347,442 | 2025 | READY TO ACHIEVE MEN |
| DENVER CIVIC VENTURES | DENVER, CO | $347,148 | 2025 | 2025-2027 OUTREACH C |
| DENVER COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP | DENVER, CO | $333,299 | 2025 | DENVER COLLABORATIVE |
| YOUTH ON RECORD | DENVER, CO | $329,051 | 2025 | INTEGRATED MENTAL HE |
| THE ROCK CENTER | AURORA, CO | $328,389 | 2025 | PEACE WARRIORS: EXP |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $325,842 | 2025 | KIDSUCCESS DPS-BASE |
| THE NXT CHAPTER FOUNDATION INC | DENVER, CO | $322,490 | 2025 | THE NXT CHAPTER S.E. |
| RISEUP COMMUNITY SCHOOL | DENVER, CO | $317,753 | 2025 | BUILDING A SAFETY NE |
| COLORADO JUVENILE DEFENDER CENTER | ARVADA, CO | $317,500 | 2025 | TJP'S COMMUNITY CARE |
| COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS | DENVER, CO | $316,055 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR NATIVE A |
| MILE HIGH MINISTRIES | DENVER, CO | $312,148 | 2025 | BILINGUAL THERAPEUTI |
| COLORADO PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH PR | DENVER, CO | $311,458 | 2025 | THE BIRTH SQUAD: DEN |
PARADIGMONE
$2,778,822TRANSITIONAL SAFETY
DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FOUNDAT
$2,597,753TRANSFORMING HEALTH
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - DENVER
$2,106,655DPD CO-RESPONDER PRO
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - DEPARTM
$1,530,845SUPPORT TEAM ASSISTE
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - MAYOR'S
$1,500,000HOUSE 1000 BEHAVIORA
COMMN
$1,128,888MENTAL HEALTH AND RE
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - COUNTY
$1,084,790DCC SPECIALTY PROGRA
LIFESPAN LOCAL
$964,824CARING FOR AT-PROMIS
LA RAZA SERVICES INC
$936,954COMUNIDAD SANA ("COM
HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER
$834,208LET'S TALK ABOUT LIF
MUSLIM YOUTH FOR POSITIVE IMPACT
$821,854MYPI MENTAL WELLNESS
METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DE
$812,864BUILDING DENVERS MEN
THE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
$808,532PEER SUPPORT SPECIAL
FIDELITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
$724,546DENVER COUNTY MENTAL
BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF COLORAD
$720,660EXPANDING SERVICE DE
JOY AS RESISTANCE
$719,555JOY AS RESISTANCE EX
URBAN PEAK
$698,610INCREASING MENTAL HE
COLORADO VILLAGE COLLABORATIVE
$695,345PEER & MENTAL HEALTH
SUN VALLEY YOUTH CENTER
$669,807ENHANCING LOW-INCOME
VIVE
$636,522NEWCOMERS SALUD MENT
SECOND CHANCE CENTER INC
$633,293MENTAL HEALTH AND SU
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER - DISTRIC
$632,072DENVER DA ADULT DIVE
SOBRIETY HOUSE INC
$611,759COMMUNITY PARTNERSHI
ADVOCATES FOR RECOVERY COLORADO
$562,057RECOVER TOGETHER: EX
THE CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HEA
$561,708EXPANDING MENTAL HEA
ADAM'S PURPOSE
$539,576HEALING TOGETHER: EM
PROJECT RESTART INC
$515,505STRENGTHENING MENTAL
SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$493,155BLOOM PERINATAL BEHA
WARREN VILLAGE INC
$487,310THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS
VUELA FOR HEALTH
$482,566LUZ Y CLARIDAD, YOUT
SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER
$453,750DENVER SCHOOL COUNSE
COLORADO METH PROJECT INC
$446,851LEAD THE CHANGE DENV
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF COLORADO
$420,972SAFER OPPORTUNITIES
VIVE
$408,760VIVE CON BIENESTAR
MONTBELLO ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
$366,492MONTBELLO SOLUTIONS
THE ROAD CALLED STRATE
$363,012REBUILD YOUR MIND
COLLABORATIVE HEALING INITIATIVE WI
$359,575RE-ENTER, RE-BUILD,
HOMIES UNIDOS DENVER
$350,896TRAUMA-INFORMED VIOL
ABILITY CONNECTION COLORADO
$347,442READY TO ACHIEVE MEN
DENVER CIVIC VENTURES
$347,1482025-2027 OUTREACH C
DENVER COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP
$333,299DENVER COLLABORATIVE
YOUTH ON RECORD
$329,051INTEGRATED MENTAL HE
THE ROCK CENTER
$328,389PEACE WARRIORS: EXP
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF COLORADO
$325,842KIDSUCCESS DPS-BASE
THE NXT CHAPTER FOUNDATION INC
$322,490THE NXT CHAPTER S.E.
RISEUP COMMUNITY SCHOOL
$317,753BUILDING A SAFETY NE
COLORADO JUVENILE DEFENDER CENTER
$317,500TJP'S COMMUNITY CARE
COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
$316,055SUPPORT FOR NATIVE A
MILE HIGH MINISTRIES
$312,148BILINGUAL THERAPEUTI
COLORADO PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH PR
$311,458THE BIRTH SQUAD: DEN