Care Fund

The Care Fund, administered by The Denver Foundation, offers a targeted grant opportunity focused on advancing health and mental health outcomes for underserved populations in Colorado. The Denver Foundation is a well-established private foundation with a strong commitment to equity and community-centered philanthropy. Through this grantmaking initiative, the foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals who experience both economic hardship and a disability. This includes those with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities, as well as individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The purpose of the Care Fund is to support nonprofit organizations whose mission and programming align with the goal of enhancing the health and mental well-being of these marginalized populations. By prioritizing disability inclusion and access to care, the fund seeks to bridge gaps in services and support long-term, systemic impact. Eligible uses of the funding are not narrowly specified, allowing for flexible implementation within health and behavioral health-related programming. This flexibility enables organizations to deploy grant funds where they are most needed, whether in direct service provision, program delivery, or operational support relevant to the population served. Grants offered through the Care Fund range from $10,000 to $20,000, with awards typically supporting projects or organizational efforts that are already well aligned with the fund’s mission. It is important to note that previous recipients are not guaranteed future funding, as each application cycle is reviewed independently. The foundation funds faith-based organizations provided that services are not conditional on participation in religious activities. Additionally, fiscal sponsorship is permitted if the sponsoring entity is a qualified 501(c)(3) and a fully executed agreement is submitted as part of the application. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations that are officially recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities or those working under the umbrella of a qualified fiscal sponsor. All applicant organizations must be both located in and operating within the state of Colorado. Collaborative applications are accepted if one eligible 501(c)(3) organization assumes fiduciary responsibility. The Care Fund is inclusive in its approach and does not exclude applicants based on prior funding history, size, or religious affiliation, provided programmatic alignment is evident. The application process opens on April 1, 2026, and closes on May 15, 2026. Applications must be submitted via The Denver Foundation’s online grant application portal. Prospective applicants must register on the portal before they can submit an application. Additional guidance is available on the foundation’s Grant FAQs page, and applicants may reach out to [email protected] for support during the process. Final reports are expected post-award and must be submitted through the TDF Grant Manager platform to ensure eligibility for future opportunities. Given that this fund operates on a recurring annual cycle, future application rounds are anticipated. Based on the current application timeline, the next expected cycle will likely open in April 2027. The Denver Foundation typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to review and decide on grant applications following the close date. As such, notifications regarding funding decisions should be expected by August 2026.