Caring for Denver Foundation
Caring for Denver Foundation is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado, formed in 2018. It supports community-informed efforts to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs.
Caring for Denver Foundation at a glance
In short: Caring for Denver Foundation gave $43.6M across 95 grants in 2025 (avg $459K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $43,607,832
- -2.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 95
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $459,030
- +10.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $351,173
- Total assets
- $114,808,356
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Caring for Denver Foundation
- Review Cycle
- The Community-Centered Solutions page lists a proposal release date of July 28, 2026, and an application due date of September 2, 2026. The Care Over Incarceration call lists an application due date of May 6, 2026. The grant page also includes notices that proposal submissions are closed; applicants should check the current call information for status.
- Deadline
- The Community-Centered Solutions page lists a proposal release date of July 28, 2026, and an application due date of…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1035 Osage St 8Th Floor Suite 825, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (720) 647-6376
Website: https://caring4denver.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Caring for Denver Foundation
Caring For Denver Grants - Alternatives to Jail
Caring for Denver Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Caring For Denver Grants - Community-Centered Solutions
Caring for Denver Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Caring For Denver Grants - Youth
Caring for Denver Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Caring for Denver Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Denver Health and Hospitals Foundat ($2.8M). Together the top 10 received $14.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
613 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 218 grants of 613 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Applicants must be located in Denver and/or offer services in Denver to Denver residents. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to Colorado recipients, 3% to New York recipients, and less than 1% to Maryland recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 95 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Caring for Denver Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.7M (2019) to $44.8M (2023). In 2025 it made 95 grants totaling $43.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Health and Hospitals Foundat Denver, CO | Transforming Health | $2,791,152 |
| City and County of Denver - Denver Denver, CO | DPD Co-Responder Pro | $2,104,859 |
| City and County of Denver - Departm Denver, CO | Support Team Assiste | $1,609,279 |
| La Raza Services Inc Denver, CO | Comunidad Sana "Comm | $1,458,975 |
| Colorado Village Collaborative Denver, CO | Peer & Mental Health | $1,001,326 |
| Urban Peak Denver, CO | Recovery and Substan | $949,841 |
| Corporation for Supportive Housing New York, NY | Sippra Mat Services | $887,409 |
| University of Denver Denver, CO | Strengthening Bridge | $879,224 |
| Struggle of Love Foundation Denver, CO | Strengthening Youth | $871,817 |
| 5280 High School Denver, CO | Integrated Youth Rec | $856,033 |
Ready to take the next step with Caring for Denver Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $114,808,356 | $53,380,023 | $46,362,272 | $43,607,832 | 95 | $3,972,044 |
| 2024 | $108,614,298 | $52,681,961 | $47,479,965 | $44,800,301 | 108 | $3,941,326 |
| 2023 | $100,624,076 | $51,168,517 | $47,701,186 | $44,808,609 | 112 | $3,115,327 |
| 2022 | $88,594,400 | $48,782,905 | $43,717,135 | $27,935,211 | 172 | $1,463,976 |
| 2021 | $74,391,519 | $42,900,195 | $36,241,108 | $33,360,753 | 126 | $383,523 |
| 2020 | $53,327,952 | $35,085,475 | $18,852,138 | $16,030,565 | 58 | $90,678 |
| 2019 | $32,324,467 | $36,941,440 | $4,824,525 | $3,682,263 | 1 | $118,811 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions and turning the community’s desire to help into action.
Its 2026–2028 plan identifies three connected priorities: care that fits, support in care transitions, and stronger care systems. The foundation’s grant materials also describe Community-Centered Solutions and Care Over Incarceration (Alternatives to Jail). Community-Centered Solutions supports trusted community organizations and partnerships that prioritize access, cultural relevance, and connection. Care Over Incarceration focuses on mental health, substance misuse, and trauma support for people at risk of entering, involved with, or exiting the criminal legal system.
Eligible applicants include qualifying nonprofits, faith-based organizations using grant funds for nonreligious purposes, Indian or Native American entities, and government-supported entities. Applicants must be located in Denver and/or provide services to Denver residents. Organizations generally need at least one year of tax returns and financial statements or must work with an eligible fiscal sponsor.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. La Raza Services describes its mission as providing and advocating for culturally responsive essential human services and opportunities. Colorado Village Collaborative says it works to bridge the gap between the streets and stable housing through shelter communities developed in partnership with people experiencing homelessness. 5280 High School describes its work as preparing students for college, careers, and life through authentic academic experiences and a culture of holistic wellness.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 95 grants totaling $43,607,832. Awards ranged from $43,950 to $2,791,152, with a median grant of $351,173. Its 2024 filing narrative states that it made 103 grants aligned with its mission and founding ordinance.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $2,791,152 to Denver Health and Hospitals Foundation for “Transforming Health,” $2,104,859 to the City and County of Denver for “DPD Co-Responder Pro,” and $1,458,975 to La Raza Services for “Comunidad Sana.” Other large grants included $1,001,326 to Colorado Village Collaborative and $887,409 to the Corporation for Supportive Housing.
Applications are submitted online through the Grants Portal. The foundation advises applicants to review the criteria and requirements for the relevant funding area, register by the date in the call for proposals, and prepare the requested documents. Required materials include its line-item budget and budget narrative forms. The foundation may request additional information or documents, or schedule a site visit. It does not fund grants to individuals, for-profit organizations, or private foundations; annual appeals or fundraising events; endowments; loans; fellowships or scholarships; debt reduction; partisan causes; or programs that require religious participation or seek to advance a faith.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lorez Meinhold as executive director and Leslie Herod as board chair. It also lists Christina Carlson, Donna Lynne, Dellena Aguilar, Anne-Marie Braga, Keith Hayes, Regina Huerter, Frank Locantore, and James Greer as board members or officers.
Caring for Denver Foundation is led by Leslie Herod, Board Chair on every filing since 2019; 5 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Leslie Herod
Board Chair
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marci J. Hladik
Director of Opera
Director of Operations → Director of Opera, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $123K (2025)
Kindle Morell
Director of Communications
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$101K (2022) → $119K (2025)
Rebecca D. Ochtera
Director of Eval
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$124K (2023) → $138K (2025)
Frank Locantore
Director
On filings since 2019
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Regina Huerter
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Ogas
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Hayes
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tristan Sanders
Director
On filings since 2022
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne-Marie Braga
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Greer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Walsh
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie McLoughlin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lorez Meinhold
Executive Di
Executive Director → Executive Di, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$103K (2019) → $268K (2025)
Raymael Blackwell
Senior Program
Senior Program Officer → Senior Program, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$115K (2022) → $128K (2025)
Christina Carlson
Board Vice C
Board Vice Chair → Board Vice C, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dellena Aguilar
Board Secretary
Director → Board Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Lynne
Board Treasurer
Director → Board Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Beth McCann (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Carl Clark (2019–2024) — Board Treasurer
- Former: Timothy Alan Cortez (2020–2024) — Program Officer
- Former: Kerry Tipper (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Gabrielle Rodriguez (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeff Holliday (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kate Stigberg (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kristin Bronson (2019–2022) — Board Secretary
- Former: Robin Wittenstein (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Ochtera Director (2020–2022) — Of Evaluation & Learning
- Former: Elizabeth McCann (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Alan Salazar (2022) — Director
- Former: Don Mares (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Gary Sanford Director (2020–2021) — Of Community Engagement
- Former: Jeffrey Holliday (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $268K, to Lorez Meinhold (Executive Di). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Caring for Denver Foundation
How much does Caring for Denver Foundation give each year?
Caring for Denver Foundation gave $43.6M across 95 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $44.8M across 108 grants.
What is Caring for Denver Foundation's typical grant size?
Caring for Denver Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $351,173, and its average grant was $459,030, across 95 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Caring for Denver Foundation give grants?
Caring for Denver Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (71 grants), Aurora, CO (9 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Centennial, CO (2 grants).
Does Caring for Denver Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 95 grants with a stated purpose on Caring for Denver Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Caring for Denver Foundation's largest grantees?
Caring for Denver Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Denver Health and Hospitals Foundat ($2,791,152), City and County of Denver - Departm ($2,754,381 across 3 grants) and City and County of Denver - Denver ($2,311,701 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Caring for Denver Foundation?
Caring for Denver Foundation reported $114.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $53.4M.
What does Caring for Denver Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions and turning the community’s desire to help into action. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Caring for Denver Foundation?
Caring for Denver Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check caring4denver.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Caring for Denver Foundation's EIN?
Caring for Denver Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4062522. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 23, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 21, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Caring for Denver Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/caring-for-denver-foundation-morg_6d4e46c9345a409ba3d34e7a09162492
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_834062522_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Caring for Denver Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/caring-for-denver-foundation-morg_6d4e46c9345a409ba3d34e7a09162492},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Caring for Denver Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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