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
Introducing Our New Blog Series: Insights from the Field
We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand new blog series dedicated to sharing valuable insights from our grantees who are actively working in the mental health and substance misuse space. As we transition from traditional learning briefs to a more dynamic blog...
The Power of Change: How Our Funding Drives Innovation for Mental Health and Substance Misuse Programming in Denver
As we celebrate five years of Caring for Denver Foundation, we're incredibly grateful for the chance to create real change in our community—change that wouldn't be possible without the support of Denver voters. At Caring for Denver, we’re committed to funding...
Denver’s STAR program looking to expand as more requests for non-police response come in
In 2023, STAR van teams alone could only respond to one in five of all eligible calls for service. 9NEWS By Kelly Reinke DENVER — Denver receives thousands of calls to 911 every year that don't require a police officer. The program that sends a van with a mental...
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.
$172
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
Project PAVE
Project PAVE utilizes innovative, evidence-based, and culturally responsive mental health services and educational programs to support youth survivors of violence and their families.
Project PAVE
Project PAVE utilizes innovative, evidence-based, and culturally responsive mental health services and educational programs to support youth survivors of violence and their families.
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