Dear Caring for Denver partners and community members,
Many of you may have seen recent media coverage about the City Auditor’s review of the Caring for Denver Foundation. Because our work depends on the trust of Denver residents and our community partners, we want to address the audit directly and share how we are responding.
First, we welcomed the audit and participated fully in the process. Caring for Denver was created by Denver voters and funded by public dollars, and we believe strong oversight makes us a better and more accountable organization.
The audit identified several areas where we can improve our administrative practices, particularly around documentation and internal procedures. We take these findings seriously. We have accepted eight of the Auditor’s 15 recommendations and are already implementing changes to strengthen documentation, clarify expense policies and improve our internal processes. These changes include eliminating alcohol reimbursements and updating guidance for staff expenses.
We understand that much of the public discussion has focused on reimbursements we made for alcohol. While those reimbursements totaled about $1,000 per year over three years (representing less than five-hundredths of one percent of our administrative budget), we recognize that public trust depends on more than compliance – it requires meeting the expectations of the community we serve. We are committed to doing better.
At the same time, we want to acknowledge the extraordinary work being done by our grantee partners across Denver. Caring for Denver exists to support organizations that expand access to mental health and substance use services, strengthen community-based solutions, and help Denver residents get the care they need.
In 2024 alone, Caring for Denver distributed $43 million through 103 grants to programs that reached nearly 100,000 Denver residents. These programs helped thousands of people improve their mental health, reduce substance misuse and avoid entering the criminal legal system. That progress is only possible because of the dedication and leadership of our grantee partners and the many organizations working every day to support recovery and wellbeing in Denver.
Moving forward, we will continue implementing the improvements identified in the audit, strengthening our processes, and maintaining transparency with the public and our partners. Our commitment to Denver residents and to the organizations doing this critical work remains unchanged.
Thank you for the role you play in building a healthier, more supportive Denver community.
Sincerely,
Lorez Meinhold
Executive Director
Caring for Denver Foundation