At Community First Foundation, our strategic plan guides our approach to using flexible grant dollars to fuel positive change. We tap into the power of community by forming strong relationships with community partners.
Community First Foundation is a nontraditional funder, which means we do not operate on set funding cycles and we do not accept unsolicited proposals. However, we do offer at least one open competitive grant each year that varies in size, strategy, and scope. Other grant opportunities are identified through a collaborative approach with community partners driving the type and quantity of funding we provide. Organizations with strong and direct alignment with our strategy areas may be invited to apply for funding opportunities that advance our mission. We welcome opportunities to learn about the great work happening in our community.
We have a special relationship with Jefferson County. Our roots and history are based in Jefferson County’s Lutheran Medical Center. While our name has changed and our geographic focused has expanded over the years, we honor our heritage by looking for funding opportunities to build strong community in the Jefferson County region.
Community First Foundation understands that health is shaped by more than the absence of disease. The physical, social and economic environments where we live, as well as access to health care and education, also contribute to individuals’ overall health. When these things, known as social determinants of health, are optimized for all individuals living in a community, we are making strides toward a healthy community. That’s why in 2018, Community First Foundation infused more than $1.75 million into community health grants supporting more than 124 organizations that serve Jefferson County.
Current Grant Opportunities
See list of 2017-18 community health grantees
Community First Foundation has been on a journey to understand what is needed to improve mental wellness in the metro Denver area. Through this work we’ve learned that investing early to support the mental health of infants and young children produces benefits later on. We’ve discovered that social connections help people overcome barriers which improves mental health. Mostly, we’ve come to understand that it takes collective action from the community to transform the systems that support mental health.
By partnering with advocacy groups, service providers and others, we’ve identified three areas where we can make the most impact in improving mental wellness. These areas are:
At Community First Foundation, we believe that the more vibrant and resilient a community’s nonprofits, the more effective they will be in serving the community and contributing to its well-being. We support nonprofits in the following ways.
There are certain eligibility requirements that nonprofits must meet to apply for a grant. Each nonprofit must be:
The following are not eligible for grants from Community First Foundation:
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