We invest in the power of community
Founded and funded by and for Denver, we turn our community’s desire to help into action to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs.
News + Events
Looming federal cuts spark confusion and worries among Denver nonprofits
By Esteban L. Hernandez AXIOS Denver Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios The executive director for the mental health nonprofit Caring for Denver says slashed federal funding could lead to higher demand for its already-scarce grant dollars. Why it...
Denver FLY program focused on uplifting youth
Denver7 By Wanya Reese DENVER — A Denver-based youth organization is focused on helping young people with their mental health and more. "I kind of was born and raised in the system, whether it be juvenile or even foster care," Theo Crews said. Crews said his life has...
Caring for Denver Foundation Invests $10.9 Million to Strengthen Youth Mental Health and Substance Misuse Care
News Release [March 27, 2025 – Denver, Colo.]: Caring for Denver Foundation is proud to invest more than $10.9 million in 28 youth-focused organizations working to close critical gaps in mental health and substance misuse care. Founded and funded by the people...
What we’ve accomplished together so far
Without you there is no us. Since 2019, we’ve funded organizations that serve every City Council District and neighborhood in Denver to transform mental health and substance misuse care.
$196
million granted to address mental health & substance misuse
71%
reduced substance misuse
(across grantees reporting)
76%
improved mental health
(across grantees reporting)
Where
we work
We listen to Denver’s communities, those with lived experience, and those doing the work to understand how mental health and substance misuse show up in our lives. Together, this knowledge, experience, and collaboration reveal what reports and metrics alone can’t, and guide our funding priorities.
Alternatives to Jail
Community-Centered Solutions
Youth
Denver’s Stories of Progress
Adam’s Purpose
Adam’s Purpose is dedicated to providing help, hope, and healing to communities of color who are impacted by grief, loss, and trauma.
Adam’s Purpose
Adam’s Purpose is dedicated to providing help, hope, and healing to communities of color who are impacted by grief, loss, and trauma.
Sun Valley Youth Center
Sun Valley Youth Center, a non-profit serving kids aged five to sixteen in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood, employs a trauma-informed, attachment-based caregiving model to foster success for our youth and families. The core pillars of their practices are connecting, empowering, and correcting.
The Don’t Look Back Center
The Don’t Look Back Center (TDLBC) was created to empower socially and economically disadvantaged women and transwomen to break the cycle of addictive patterns and initiate change while developing life skills for restoration in all aspects of a woman’s life.
Think 360 Arts for Learning
https://youtu.be/sQNu0Z8TBYs Think 360 Arts for Learning engages Coloradans of all ages in innovative arts programming that inspires creativity, builds community, & advances equity. Caring for Denver funded the Creative Aging program to increase access to...
From grant opportunities to community listening sessions to sharing your stories of impact, let’s find a way to collaborate.
Meet
our team
