The Colorado Health Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $126 million (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (highly competitive)
Decision Time: Up to 4 months (scheduled funding); approximately 45 days (rolling funding)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,500,000 (varies by program)
Geographic Focus: Colorado statewide

Contact Details

Website: coloradohealth.org Phone: 303-953-3600 Address: 1780 N Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80203

Pre-Application Support: All applicants are assigned a program officer who serves as their primary point of contact and can discuss applications and answer questions.

Overview

Founded in 1980 and converted to its current structure in 1995, The Colorado Health Foundation is one of the largest health foundations in the United States, with nearly $100 million awarded annually in grants and contributions. The Foundation's mission centers on making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation by advancing health equity and racial justice. They recognize racism and racial injustice as major drivers of health inequity and prioritize communities of color in all their work. Their strategic approach is guided by four focus areas: Champion Power Shifting, Advance Health and Well-being, Support Community Solutions, and Reimagine Systems. The Foundation works across 10 priority areas where they believe their efforts can make the most significant impact on health equity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Scheduled Funding Opportunities: Grants with deadlines three times per year (February 15, June 15, October 15)

Application method: Online portal
Various grant types and amounts depending on specific opportunity

Rolling Funding: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline

Decision timeline: Approximately 45 days
Application method: Online portal

Community-Initiated Solutions: Supports community-driven projects aligned with Foundation priorities

Application method: Rolling basis
Grant types: Project, general operating support, capacity building

Rapid Response: Advocacy Funding: Supports short-term advocacy initiatives (3-9 months)

Focus: Policy decisions for health equity
Application method: Rolling basis

Advocacy and Justice with Communities of Color: Multi-year support for racial and economic justice efforts

Grant range: $50,000 - $200,000 annually
Duration: 2-5 years
Application method: By application during scheduled funding cycles

Equity Collective Initiative: Large investments in organizations led by people of color

Grant range: $750,000 - $1,500,000 (one-time investment)
Application method: By invitation

Connecting Communities and Care: Community-based health initiatives

Grant range: Up to $200,000 for two years
Application method: By application during specific funding opportunity

Activating Places and Spaces Together: Physical activity and community spaces

Grant range: $5,000 - $100,000
Application method: By application during specific funding opportunity

Housing Justice: By invitation only

Focus: Housing stability, community-driven action, racial justice and health equity

Priority Areas

The Foundation has identified 10 priority areas guided by four strategic focus areas:

Strategic Focus Areas:

Champion Power Shifting
Advance Health and Well-being
Support Community Solutions
Reimagine Systems

Specific Priority Areas Include:

Comprehensive primary care access
Children's physical activity
Social-emotional development for young children
Mental health resources for teens and young adults
Recovery resources for adults (substance abuse and mental health)
Affordable, safe housing options
Economic opportunity
Community-driven solutions
Advocacy and justice with communities of color

Core Commitment: The Foundation prioritizes communities of color in all their work and supports populations whose lack of power, privilege, or income is a barrier to health and well-being.

What They Don't Fund

Organizations that willfully discriminate against a particular class of individuals
Generally, organizations outside Colorado (unless the project provides significant benefit to Coloradans)
Partisan political activities or activities prohibited for 501(c)(3) organizations
Faith-based organizations that do not welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious faith or that require participation in religious activities

Requirements:

Organizations must abide by all applicable local, state, and federal anti-discrimination laws in hiring, employment practices, and when providing services

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Karen McNeil-Miller, President and CEO (since 2015)

Leads the Foundation's strategic direction in health equity and racial justice

Bruce Byington, Chief Impact Officer Amy Latham, Vice President

Board of Directors

The Foundation's Board of Directors comprises 15 members from business, health care, education, and philanthropy sectors, including:

Juana Bordas, President of Mestiza Leadership International
Ross Brooks, President and CEO of Colorado Community Health Network
Lauren Casteel, President and CEO of The Women's Foundation
Ismael Guerrero, President & CEO of Mercy Housing Inc.
Oswaldo "Ozzie" Grenardo, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Centura Health
Ashley Marks, Co-Managing Partner at Cordillera Investment Partners and Impact Committee Chair
Carlos Martinez, Executive Director of Latino Community Foundation of Colorado

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Create an Account:

Register in the grantee portal at least one week before applying
You will receive login credentials within two business days via email

Technical Requirements:

Use Google Chrome browser when accessing the grants management system
Applications must be submitted electronically through the online portal
System does not auto-save; click "Save" frequently while drafting

Application Preparation:

Review resources before starting: webinars, glossary, FAQ, and sample application
Type answers in a word processing document first, then copy and paste into the online application
The Foundation Center's guides and resources are recommended for proposal writing

Submission Process:

Log into the portal
Select "Apply For Funding" on the left-hand side
Choose "Apply for a Grant" or "Apply for a Sponsorship"
Complete the application with organization information, contact details, and project narrative

Alternative Format: If you cannot complete an online application, contact the grantmaking department at 303-953-3600 to arrange for an alternative submission method.

Decision Timeline

Scheduled Funding Opportunities: Review may take up to 4 months; applicants are notified as soon as a decision is reached

Rolling Funding: Review and notification occur within approximately 45 days of submitting a proposal

Notification: The Foundation notifies applicants of decisions as soon as reviews are complete

Success Rates

Grant funding is described as "highly competitive" within the pool of applicants for each funding opportunity. The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate percentages or application-to-award ratios.

In 2023, the Foundation awarded more than $126 million in grants and contributions across numerous organizations.

Reapplication Policy

If your application is declined:

You may contact your program officer to discuss the review and decision
Call the main number (303-953-3600) to be connected with the appropriate program officer to discuss reasons for declination
Specific waiting periods or restrictions on reapplication are not publicly disclosed; consult with your program officer for guidance

Application Success Factors

Program Officer Engagement:

The Foundation emphasizes that all applicants are assigned a program officer as their primary point of contact
Applicants can and should discuss their application with their program officer and ask questions at any point during the process
This relationship-building is valued by the Foundation

Alignment with Racial Justice Framework:

The Foundation uses an internal racial justice framework that includes tools to disrupt inequitable and racist systems
Successful applications explicitly advance racial justice and health equity
Projects should demonstrate how they address racism and racial injustice as drivers of health inequity

Community-Driven Approaches:

The Foundation values projects with a foundation for community-driven or community-led action
Applications should demonstrate meaningful engagement with the communities being served
Power-shifting to communities is a key strategic focus

Strategic Alignment:

Projects should align with one or more of the Foundation's 10 priority areas
Clear connection to the four strategic focus areas: Champion Power Shifting, Advance Health and Well-being, Support Community Solutions, and Reimagine Systems
Focus on populations whose lack of power, privilege, or income is a barrier to health and well-being

Grant Type Selection:

The Foundation considers project grants, general operating support, capacity building, and occasionally capital funding
Choose the grant type that best matches your organizational need and demonstrate how it will advance the Foundation's priorities
Capital funding requires a demonstrable link to priority areas

Application Quality:

Prepare thoroughly using the Foundation's resources (webinars, glossary, FAQ, sample applications)
Type answers in a word processing document first to ensure quality before pasting into the online form
Be specific about how your work advances health equity and addresses systemic barriers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Racial equity is central: Every application must explicitly address how the project advances racial justice and health equity. This is not optional but fundamental to the Foundation's mission.
Build a relationship with your program officer: The Foundation assigns each applicant a program officer and encourages ongoing dialogue. Use this resource to strengthen your application and ensure alignment.
Community-driven approaches win: Projects that demonstrate community leadership and power-shifting—not just community engagement—are prioritized. Show how communities are leading, not just participating.
Choose your funding cycle strategically: With both scheduled deadlines (February, June, October) and rolling funding options, select the timing and program that best fits your project and organizational needs.
Multiple grant types available: The Foundation offers project grants, general operating support, and capacity building. Don't default to project funding if general operating support better serves your organizational goals.
Geographic focus is Colorado only: Nearly all funding is restricted to Colorado organizations or projects that significantly benefit Coloradans. Out-of-state organizations should not apply unless the Colorado benefit is substantial.
Competition is high but investment is substantial: While success rates are not disclosed and funding is highly competitive, the Foundation awards over $126 million annually, demonstrating significant resources for well-aligned projects.

References

Research completed: December 16, 2025