Best Community Health Grants in Colorado

The Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Health Foundation is a statewide philanthropic organization that champions the overall health and well-being of every Coloradan. We do this by advocating for and investing in solutions and policies that drive health equity and racial justice.

Our mission is to improve the health of Coloradans. We believe that health and well-being can be in reach for everyone. So, every day, we collaborate with organizations and communities across the state to break down the many systemic inequities that stand in the way of health. When every Coloradan has the power to be healthy, our entire state is stronger.

Colorado Health Foundation Sponsorships

The Colorado Health Foundation views sponsorships as important opportunities to support events and communications-related projects that increase engagement with those we serve or raise awareness of issues aligned with our priority areas and cornerstones. 

The Foundation sponsors organizations that demonstrate trust with and among communities we prioritize and serve. We will sponsor events and communications-related projects that:

• Raise awareness of issues that align with the Foundation’s 10 priority areas and cornerstones.
• Provide Coloradans with information to increase understanding of systemic and social inequities
• Are community-informed
• Aim to impact Colorado’s public discourse that reinforces the need for and a connection between racial justice and health equity

Nonprofit organizations and public entities in Colorado planning capital projects for facilities, land, or civic infrastructure can apply for Gates Family Foundation’s capital grants. Funding supports construction, renovation, expansion, or acquisition that benefits community health, education, and well-being, with emphasis on rural and low-income areas and projects incorporating sustainable, green building practices.

Colorado nonprofits and public agencies supporting youth health and outdoor equity in Colorado can apply for $50,000 - $200,000 in planning funds for community-designed outdoor spaces. The Colorado Health Foundation provides Colorado community health organizations with support to co-design parks, playgrounds, and similar spaces that promote physical activity, belonging, and health equity for youth and families.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government organizations providing non-clinical, peer-led recovery supports for adults can apply for Colorado Health Foundation funding up to Up to US $150,000. Grants strengthen community- and purpose-focused programs for Coloradans facing mental health and/or substance use challenges, including employment, education, cultural connection, arts, volunteerism, and peer support networks.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving community health and health equity in Colorado can seek project funding to address significant needs identified in local assessments. With a mission to improve health for vulnerable populations, CommonSpirit Health provides restricted charitable contributions through its Community Health Improvement Grants, with awards up to US $150,000 depending on the participating hospital.

Colorado organizations improving community health education and health information access can apply for the National Library of Medicine’s Express Health Information Outreach Awards, with grants of US $5,000 for outreach projects. Funding supports health information literacy, technology tools, and partnerships that help underrepresented populations and health professionals find and use reliable biomedical and public health information.

About BHOF

For 40 years, the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) has been committed to preventing osteoporosis and promoting awareness about bone health. Learn more about our organization.

Awards

Robert F. Gagel, M.D. Community Leadership Award

The Robert F. Gagel, M.D. Community Leadership Award recognizes a healthcare professional who has made outstanding contributions to improving osteoporosis care and increasing community awareness about bone health. This award will be presented annually to a healthcare professional residing and working in the United States or its territories.

The Executive Committee of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation’s (BHOF’s) Board of Trustees will review nominations and select the recipient.

The award winner will be notified and announced in May, in recognition of Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The recipient will receive a plaque and a financial award (currently $1,000) to support community service efforts initiatives related to osteoporosis and bone health.

The CCCF: Fall Community Grants support local organizations in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Lake Counties, offering two funding options totaling $50,800. Eligible applicants include 501c3, 501c4, or 501c6 organizations, focusing on health, human services, and community development. The average grant awarded in 2023 was $1,600, aimed at fostering community vitality and resilience through diverse initiatives.

The NNLM Region 5 Professional Development Award offers funding for individuals at member institutions to enhance their knowledge and skills in health-related areas. This initiative aims to support meetings, workshops, and training that focus on health literacy, public health, and evidence-based practices. By fostering professional development, the NNLM seeks to improve healthcare services and access to health information across various communities, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes.

The nccPA Health Foundation's Oral Health - Community Outreach Grant offers up to $2,500 for PA-led initiatives that enhance oral health awareness and treatment. Open to certified PAs, PA students, and organizations, this grant aims to empower applicants to bridge healthcare gaps in oral health. Applications are accepted year-round, promoting continuous engagement in advancing community health. This initiative highlights the vital role of PAs in enhancing access to oral healthcare services.

The SHAPE America Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to health and physical education, ensuring these fields remain central to educational programs. This prestigious award honors dedicated professionals, including educators and leaders, who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and leadership in promoting physical activity, health education, and related disciplines. Through their efforts, they enhance the quality of education and the well-being of students across the nation.

The Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes outstanding contributions to health and physical education curriculum research. This prestigious award highlights the importance of effective instructional practices that prepare students for active and healthy lives. Award recipients are selected based on their scholarship in health education and physical education, demonstrating commitment to excellence since the organization's founding in 1885. SHAPE America advocates for quality education and promotes the well-being of preK-12 students across the United States.

This funding opportunity by the FDA aims to enhance education and public awareness regarding the risks associated with skin lightening products, such as hydroquinone. The initiative encourages innovative, community-based strategies that engage stakeholders in promoting health equity. Proposals should focus on outreach activities that strengthen the scientific understanding of these products while addressing public health concerns. This is a vital step in ensuring safer use and informed consumer choices.

The AMA Foundation Section Involvement Grant Program supports local campus section leaders at medical schools in enhancing student recruitment and engagement. Grants can provide up to $1,500 per year, with specific allocations for recruitment and community service activities. Examples of supported activities include organization fairs, public health lectures, and community workshops. This initiative aims to foster student involvement and empower local AMA sections to address important health topics within their communities.

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

With a mission to support programs for African American children and families, Jack and Jill of America Foundation provides Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and public agencies with funding for physical and mental wellness programs. Eligible projects include prevention education, access to care, mental health support, and tools that strengthen long-term community well-being; awards are up to US $10,000.

Colorado community health organizations, especially 501(c)(3) nonprofits with at least one year of outcomes, can access funding for community health education and related initiatives. The H Hovnanian Family Foundation offers up to US $10,000 for projects in areas like public health, emergency response, youth development, and education that fit its stated focus areas.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations serving communities in the Roaring Fork Valley can seek funding for community health projects and operations, including advanced primary care, health education, and support for older adults. The Western Colorado Community Foundation’s Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Fund prioritizes innovative, equitable initiatives between Aspen and Parachute, including partnerships addressing social determinants of health and workforce education scholarships.

Early-career health and physical education researchers in the U.S., including those based in Colorado, can receive recognition and support for curriculum and instruction scholarship through the Helen M. Heitmann Young Scholar Award from SHAPE America. Focused on advancing community and school health education, it honors members three to six years post-doctorate with a strong research record.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits hosting community wellness, health education, or physical activity events can access funding through Better Health Together for sponsorship support. This program offers up to US $5,000 for community events and engagement activities that promote health, elevate community voices, and align with BHT’s mission and values; one sponsorship per organization each year.

Colorado undergraduate students majoring in school-based health education can access funding through the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Bill Kane Undergraduate Scholarship. This US $1,000 award supports full-time sophomores, juniors, or seniors at accredited U.S. colleges or universities, including those focused on community health education and physical fitness, and includes a complimentary one-year SHAPE America student membership.

Master’s students in school-based health education programs at accredited U.S. colleges or universities, including those in Colorado, can receive a $1,000 Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship for any educational expenses. Society of Health and Physical Educators provides this annual award plus a one-year student membership for eligible community health and physical education scholars.

Colorado community health and education organizations can access funding through AES Hawaii Foundation for programs in social justice, energy equality, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and community health and resilience. Nonprofits and other groups serving communities near AES Hawaiʻi renewable energy projects, or operating at a broader scale, may be eligible if they meet the foundation’s impact pillars.

Current SHAPE America members planning projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sports can receive funding for research, after-school programs, leadership development, or similar initiatives in Colorado and nationwide. The Society of Health and Physical Educators awards US $1,000 annually through the NAGWS Legacy Award to support this work.

Health and physical education professionals focused on measurement and evaluation, including those working in Colorado community health education, may be eligible for this lifetime achievement recognition. With a mission to advance professional practice and research, Society of Health and Physical Educators honors a SHAPE America member whose scholarly work has significantly advanced measurement and evaluation in health and physical education.

Health and physical education professionals contributing to measurement and evaluation can receive national recognition for advancing SHAPE America’s Measurement and Evaluation SIG. With a mission to advance practice and research, Society of Health and Physical Educators honors current SHAPE America and SIG members across the U.S., which may include Colorado-based community health educators.

Graduate students in psychomotor measurement and evaluation at U.S. colleges or universities can receive support for professional expenses, including those whose work benefits community health education in Colorado. With a mission to advance health and physical education research, SHAPE America provides this award to members with strong potential in the field.