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.

See our impact

News + Events

Caring for Denver Foundation Invests More Than $14 Million to Expand Care Over Incarceration Programs Across Denver

Jul 27, 2026

News Release [July 27, 2026 – Denver, Colo.]: Caring for Denver Foundation is proud to invest more than $14 million in 18 organizations working to expand mental health and substance misuse care that helps prevent unnecessary involvement in the criminal legal system...

Mental Wellness Is Important For Everyone. This InvenTORY Conversation Talks Resources for Youth

Jun 10, 2026

https://youtu.be/7kc8H1abbnk?si=PRpHlAbv9T4bNp7X A recent segment of Colorado & Company on 9NEWS brought together three Denver-area organizations to discuss the growing mental health crisis among Colorado youth. Host Tory Shulman spoke with Lorez Meinhold of...

Nonprofit helps older people in Colorado address mental health by creating connections

Jun 3, 2026

By Mekialaya White May 28, 2026 / 7:46 PM MDT / CBS Colorado May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which provides a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone. ViVe Wellness works to address mental health issues in a group...

Help shape
our 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. Your insight and experience helps reveal what data alone can’t. Take this short survey to help shape our funding priorities. We regularly review responses to ensure our decisions reflect community needs.

Share Your Experience

What we accomplished in 2025

88,367

Denverites reached through
Caring for Denver funding

7,198

reduced substance misuse
(across grantees reporting)

4,476

improved mental health
(across grantees reporting)

Denver’s Stories of Progress

Building Belonging Before Crisis | The ROCK Center

How creativity, connection, and community are strengthening youth mental health across DenverFor many young people, mental health support can be difficult to access. Workforce shortages, cost, stigma, and other...

Building Belonging Before Crisis | The ROCK Center

How creativity, connection, and community are strengthening youth mental health across DenverFor many young people, mental health support can be difficult to access. Workforce shortages, cost, stigma, and other...

Expanding Mental Health Support for Growing Families

Thriving Families supports women, children, and families during pregnancy and the postpartum period—a critical window that shapes a child’s long-term development. Caring for Denver funds Thriving Families’ WiseWellness program, which provides...

MSU Denver Expands Mental Health Workforce Program

As demand for mental and behavioral health services continues to grow, Metropolitan State University of Denver's College of Health and Human Sciences is helping prepare the next generation of providers. In May 2026, Caring for Denver renewed its investment with...

Metropolitan State University

Through the Building Denver’s Mental Health Workforce grant, MSU Denver students are training to become the next generation of mental health and substance misuse care professionals serving our community.
This grant supports student preparation, builds a sustainable pipeline of health workers, and strengthens connections with community organizations serving Denver residents citywide.