Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and health care of Coloradans. Established in 1995, the foundation has been working tirelessly to address the state's most pressing health issues, with a focus on achieving health equity and ensuring that all residents have access to quality, affordable health care. As a trusted leader in the health philanthropy sector, the Colorado Health Foundation has invested over $1.3 billion in grants and initiatives since its inception, with a significant impact on the state's health landscape.

History and Mission

The Colorado Health Foundation was created in 1995, following the conversion of the nonprofit Poudre Valley Health System to a for-profit entity. The foundation’s mission is to improve the health and health care of all Coloradans, with a focus on achieving health equity and addressing the social determinants of health. To achieve this mission, the foundation invests in grant-making, policy and advocacy, and community engagement initiatives, with a focus on addressing the root causes of health disparities and promoting health equity. For example, the foundation has invested in initiatives such as the Healthy Communities program, which aims to improve access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities in low-income communities.

Grant-Making and Initiatives

The Colorado Health Foundation has a robust grant-making program, with a focus on investing in initiatives that address the state’s most pressing health issues. The foundation’s grant-making priorities include improving access to health care, addressing health disparities, and promoting healthy behaviors. In 2020, the foundation awarded over $120 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, community groups, and government agencies, with a focus on supporting initiatives that address the social determinants of health. For instance, the foundation has invested in initiatives such as the Health Equity Fund, which provides funding to organizations working to address health disparities in communities of color.

Policy and Advocacy

The Colorado Health Foundation is also a leader in health policy and advocacy, working to influence state and federal policies that impact the health and health care of Coloradans. The foundation’s policy and advocacy priorities include expanding access to health care, improving health care quality, and addressing the social determinants of health. In 2020, the foundation played a key role in advocating for the passage of legislation that expanded Medicaid coverage to thousands of low-income Coloradans, demonstrating its commitment to improving access to health care for all residents. For example, the foundation worked closely with state lawmakers to develop and pass the Medicaid Expansion Bill, which expanded Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

Community Engagement

The Colorado Health Foundation is committed to engaging with communities across the state, listening to their needs and concerns, and working to address the root causes of health disparities. The foundation’s community engagement initiatives include hosting community forums, conducting listening tours, and supporting community-based initiatives that promote health equity. In 2020, the foundation hosted over 20 community forums, engaging with over 1,000 community members and gathering valuable feedback on the state’s health care system. For instance, the foundation hosted a Community Forum on Health Equity, which brought together community leaders, health care providers, and policymakers to discuss strategies for addressing health disparities in communities of color.

Impact and Evaluation

The Colorado Health Foundation is committed to evaluating the impact of its grant-making, policy and advocacy, and community engagement initiatives. The foundation uses a range of evaluation methods, including surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, to assess the effectiveness of its initiatives and identify areas for improvement. In 2020, the foundation conducted an evaluation of its grant-making program, which found that over 90% of grantees reported an increase in their capacity to address health disparities, demonstrating the foundation’s positive impact on the state’s health landscape. For example, the foundation found that its investment in the Healthy Communities program resulted in a significant increase in access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities in low-income communities.

Future Directions

As the Colorado Health Foundation looks to the future, it is committed to continuing its work to improve the health and health care of all Coloradans. The foundation will focus on addressing the social determinants of health, promoting health equity, and ensuring that all residents have access to quality, affordable health care. With its strong track record of grant-making, policy and advocacy, and community engagement, the Colorado Health Foundation is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the state’s health landscape. For instance, the foundation plans to launch a new initiative focused on addressing the mental health needs of rural communities, which will provide funding and support to organizations working to improve access to mental health services in these areas.

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