The Denver Foundation awards $2.7M in community grants


June 8, 2026

Pictured above: Groundwork Denver Inc

Congratulations to the 70 nonprofit organizations that have been awarded a total of $2.7 million in grants during the 2026 cycle 1 of our Community Grants Program. 

These incredible organizations work to advance economic opportunity, climate and environment, affordable housing, and youth well-being for people across the seven Metro Denver counties. 

These organizations reflect the priority areas of our strategic framework. This was the second year in which organizations received funding for youth mental health programs for K-12-aged children, both in the community and in schools. There were 14 organizations that received this type of funding. 

A complete list of the grant recipients is below. 

The grant recipients reflect the growing diversity of our region’s nonprofit sector as well as the foundation’s ever-deepening commitment to racial equity.  

The Denver Foundation awarded these 70 grants following a thorough review of 236 proposals led by The Denver Foundation staff and members of the Advisory Committee for Community Impact, a volunteer body of more than 24 local community, business, and philanthropic leaders. The grants range from $20,000 to $50,000.  

Through the Community Grants Program, we aim to support organizations working to reduce disparities and improve the lives of people living in Metro Denver who have been historically marginalized. 

The program is funded by The Fund for Denver, our permanent endowment, built over generations to provide for community needs.  

Grants are made through the program in two cycles per year. Applications for Cycle 2 2026 will open on Monday, June 15, 2026. To learn more about the Community Grants Program, visit The Denver Foundation’s website.

 


 

Join us in building a stronger Metro Denver 

By donating to The Fund for Denver, you are investing in today and the future of Metro Denver. Your support reaches hundreds of organizations each year, including recipients of our Community Grants Program, like those listed below. Your support makes it possible for nonprofits to create more economic opportunities, improve the well-being of our youth, address affordable housing and homelessness, and find solutions to climate and environmental emergencies. 

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2026 Community Grants Program Cycle 1 Grantees

 

Economic Opportunity 

Access Mode Inc 

Ag and Food Lab 

Blue Star Recyclers 

CareerWise Colorado 

CEDS Finance – Community Enterprise Development Services 

Climb Hire Inc 

Creating Occupational Destinies (COD) 

Colorado Asian Pacific United – CAPU 

Colorado Jobs with Justice 

Construction Education Foundation of Colorado 

Denver Hybrid College – AdvanceEDU 

Food Bank of the Rockies 

Foundation for Educational Excellence – BuildStrong Academy of Colorado 

Mile High WorkShop Inc 

Montessori Intergenerational Learning Communities – Early Childhood Service Corps 

New Cottage Arts Inc 

Prodigy Ventures Inc 

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network – RMIAN 

Roots Colorado – Dirt Coffee Bar 

TechNation Careers 

Work Options for Women 

WorkLife Partnership 

Year One Inc – Mile High Youth Corps 

 

Environment and Climate 

Black Parents United Foundation – BPUF 

Colorado Rising for Communities 

Earthjustice 

Mi Familia Vota Education Fund 

 

Housing 

Attention Inc – TGTHR 

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado 

Dream Center Denver 

East Colfax Community Collective 

HOPE – Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement 

Jeffco Housing Corporation – Foothills Regional Housing 

SafeHouse Denver Inc 

Together Colorado 

 

Youth Well-being 

Impact on Education – IOE 

Isabella Bird Community School 

Center for African American Health 

Colorado Dream Foundation – Colorado LiftED Foundation 

Colorado High-Country Educational Treks – Colorado Treks 

Denver Children’s Advocacy Center 

Jewish Family Service of Colorado Inc 

PlatteForum 

Project PAVE Inc 

Resilience1220 

Second Wind Fund Inc 

Struggle of Love Foundation 

Vuela for Health – HECHO 

QueenShipp 

RISE Colorado 

Upstream Education Inc 

 

Multiple priority areas  

 

Economic Opportunity; Environment and Climate 

Groundwork Denver Inc 

 

Economic Opportunity; Housing 

Hope Communities Inc 

Lower The Barrier Colorado 

Mountain Resource Center Inc 

NEWSED Community Development Corporation Inc – NEWSED CDC 

Project Access Inc 

United for a New Economy 

West Community Economic Development Corporation – BuCu West 

 

Economic Opportunity; Youth Well-being 

Sheridan Rising Together for Equity 

TEENS Inc 

The Village Institute 

United Alliance for African Community USA 

Colorado Black Health Collaborative 

Young African Americans for Social and Political Activism – YAASPA 

 

Economic Opportunity; Environment and Climate; Housing 

9to5 Colorado 

 

Economic Opportunity; Housing; Youth Well-being 

Denver Indian Center Inc. 

Housing Colorado 

Kennedi Calling 

 

Environment and Climate; Housing 

Earthlinks Inc 

 


 

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Every gift, no matter the size, to The Fund for Denver, helps ensure that the causes you care about will always have the resources they need. Thank you for believing in your community. Your support is vital to our mission.

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