Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation (RMHF) is a private foundation based in Grand Junction, Colorado. It makes grants to support the health and well-being of people living on the Western Slope, including work on healthcare access, basic needs, and workforce development.
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation at a glance
In short: Rocky Mountain Health Foundation gave $4.9M across 322 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Colorado. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,922,000
- +23.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 322
- +17.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,286
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,675
- Total assets
- $92,834,410
- +8.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (45 of 229, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
RMHF’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website describes an eligibility quiz and a pre-application discussion for prospective applicants. The Basic Needs Fund generally requires a pre-application Zoom call for new applicants at the start of each three-year cycle; the Simple Gifts Fund’s grant listing says a pre-application Zoom call is required for all applicants. Applicants recommended to proceed are invited to submit an online application. The eligibility quiz says organizations must be eligible charitable or public entities, serve Western Slope residents, and have staff residing within the 22 Western Slope counties; requests must align with a funding initiative.
- Review Cycle
- The next Basic Needs Fund application cycle is fall 2028. The Simple Gifts Fund application opens in January each year; no specific deadline is stated.
- Deadline
- The next Basic Needs Fund application cycle is fall 2028.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2768 Compass Drive 109, Grand Junction, CO 81506
Phone: (970) 644-8188
Website: https://rmhealth.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 Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation: Basic Needs Fund Grant
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $35,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation: Healthcare Fund Grant
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $40,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation: Simple Gifts Fund Grant
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Rocky Mountain Health Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hilltop Community Resources Inc ($270K across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $979K.
Grant Size Distribution
1,232 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,215 grants of 1,232 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RMHF’s eligibility quiz describes its geographic requirement as primarily serving Western Slope residents and having staff who reside within the 22 Western Slope counties. Its 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to Colorado recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 322 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Rocky Mountain Health Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 45 of 229 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $17K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 28% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 $1.0M (2019) to $4.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 322 grants totaling $4.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hilltop Community Resources Inc Grand Junction, CO | Emergency Funding | $108,000 |
| River Center of New Castle New Castle, CO | Emergency Funding | $54,000 |
| Hilltop Community Resources Inc Montrose, CO | Emergency Funding | $48,000 |
| Hilltop Community Resources Inc Grand Junction, CO | SAFETY | $45,500 |
| Gunnison Valley Health Foundation Gunnison, CO | Workforce Development | $45,000 |
| Housing Solutions for the Southwest Durango, CO | Emergency Funding | $42,000 |
| Liftup of Routt County Steamboat Springs, CO | Emergency Funding | $42,000 |
| The Pinon Project Cortez, CO | Emergency Funding | $42,000 |
| Grand Valley Catholic Outreach Grand Junction, CO | Multi-Need | $41,500 |
| Counseling and Education Center Grand Junction, CO | Behavioral Health | $41,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,834,410 | $5,729,332 | $5,899,620 | $4,922,000 | 322 | $5,604,347 | $5,529,065 | $4,312,590 |
| 2024 | $85,784,798 | $5,805,330 | $4,888,451 | $3,975,500 | 275 | $4,655,603 | $5,612,956 | $4,137,862 |
| 2023 | $82,253,098 | $3,221,089 | $5,128,590 | $3,967,000 | 272 | $4,899,741 | $2,776,908 | $3,815,262 |
| 2022 | $75,669,606 | $2,364,533 | $5,100,564 | $3,831,100 | 255 | $5,116,299 | $1,748,370 | $3,962,642 |
| 2021 | $91,706,196 | $28,200,255 | $3,826,369 | $2,518,710 | 108 | — | $2,552,246 | — |
| 2020 | $57,078,198 | $1,596,811 | $2,869,311 | $1,670,642 | 126 | — | $1,058,505 | — |
| 2019 | $54,361,615 | $20,007,386 | $2,355,454 | $1,042,300 | 68 | — | $5,320,295 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rocky Mountain Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
RMHF’s stated commitment is to support equitable access to a healthy life for people on the Western Slope. Its funding programs include the Basic Needs Fund, Healthcare Fund, Simple Gifts Fund, and Workforce Development Fund.
The Basic Needs Fund supports organizations providing services such as food, temporary housing, transportation, safety, and support for immigrants, Indigenous people, and LGBTQ+ communities. It offers multi-year general operating grants. The Healthcare Fund supports increased access to and affordability of physical and behavioral healthcare, as well as specialized disability services. The Simple Gifts Fund offers one-year general operating grants for work including community coalitions, community gardens, peer support, respite care, and direct services in basic needs or healthcare. The Foundation’s eligibility quiz also lists Workforce Development as a funding initiative.
Examples of grantees’ work include River Center of New Castle, whose mission is to identify and address unmet community needs through volunteerism; Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, which supports healthcare delivery in Gunnison County and surrounding areas; and Housing Solutions for the Southwest, which works to provide affordable housing services in Southwest Colorado. Other 2025 grantees include The Pinon Project, which provides comprehensive services for children and families, and Aspen Hope Center, which provides care and outreach for people in emotional crisis.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, RMHF reported 322 grants totaling $4,922,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $108,000, with a median of $13,675. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $108,000 to Hilltop Community Resources for emergency funding; $54,000 to River Center of New Castle for emergency funding; $48,000 to Hilltop Community Resources in Montrose for emergency funding; and $45,000 to Gunnison Valley Health Foundation for workforce development. Other notable awards included $42,000 each to Housing Solutions for the Southwest, LiftUp of Routt County, and The Pinon Project, all for emergency funding. Grand Valley Catholic Outreach received $41,500 for multi-need work, and Counseling and Education Center received $41,500 for behavioral health and a separate $40,000 for workforce development.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michaelle Smith as executive director. Listed board leadership includes Bernie Buescher, chair; Joey Montoya Boese, vice chair and secretary; Rick Geisman, treasurer and finance chair; and Kathleen McInnis, grants chair. Bob Tesch is listed as past chair/director. Other listed directors are Amy Davis, Andrew Karow, Hollie VanRoosendaal, and Kyler Rae Hijmans.
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation is led by Michaelle Smith, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 15 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michaelle Smith
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$149K (2019) → $201K (2025)
Kathleen McInnis
Grants Chair
Director → Grants Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$300 (2020) → $1K (2025)
Bernie Buescher
Board Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$375 (2021) → $799 (2025)
Rick Geisman
Treasurer & Finance Chair
Director → Treasurer & Finance Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cassie Comeau
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$225 (2020) → $600 (2025)
Richard Betts
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$300 (2020) → $525 (2025)
Imo Succo
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$525 (2022) → $450 (2025)
Paula Lopez
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$600 (2023) → $900 (2025)
Kyler Rae Hijmans
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$825 (2024) → $900 (2025)
Mathew Mendisco
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$900 (2024) → $825 (2025)
Amy Davis
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$750 (2025)
Andrew Karow
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$600 (2025)
Bob Tesch
Past Chair & Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$750 (2025)
Hollie Vanroosendaal
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$750 (2025)
Ricardo Perez
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$750 (2025)
Joey Montoya Boese
Vice Chair & Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$582 (2023) → $1K (2025)
Former officers (18)
- Former: Charles Breaux (2019–2024) — Treasurer, Finance & Investment
- Former: Patricia Riddell (2019–2024) — Past Chair & Director
- Former: Robert Tesch (2020–2024) — Board Chair
- Former: Mary Sal Schaefer (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Bernard Buescher (2023–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Errol Snider (2019–2023) — Secretary & Grants Chair
- Former: Theresa Chase (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John Feeney-Coyle (2020–2023) — Ex-Officio Director
- Former: Alex Sanchez (2023) — Director
- Former: Nelly Navarro (2023) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Kuhr (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Roller (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Nicole Bernal Ruiz (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Janette Najera (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Sally Schaefer (2019–2021) — Director & Past Chair
- Former: Ellen Roberts (2019) — Director
- Former: Russell George (2019) — Director & Finance Chair
- Former: Scott Rotermund (2019) — 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 $201K, to Michaelle Smith (Executive Director). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
How much does Rocky Mountain Health Foundation give each year?
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation gave $4.9M across 322 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.0M across 275 grants.
What is Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's typical grant size?
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $13,675, and its average grant was $15,286, across 322 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rocky Mountain Health Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Rocky Mountain Health Foundation give grants?
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Junction, CO (46 grants), Durango, CO (37 grants), Glenwood Springs, CO (22 grants) and Montrose, CO (22 grants).
Does Rocky Mountain Health Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (41 of 322) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Continuation of Critical Services" (46 grants), "Physical Health" (26 grants) and "Workforce Development" (25 grants).
Who are Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's largest grantees?
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hilltop Community Resources Inc ($269,500 across 6 grants), Gunnison Valley Health Foundation ($94,500 across 3 grants) and Integrated Community ($82,850 across 5 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rocky Mountain Health Foundation?
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation reported $92.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Rocky Mountain Health Foundation fund?
RMHF’s stated commitment is to support equitable access to a healthy life for people on the Western Slope. Its funding programs include the Basic Needs Fund, Healthcare Fund, Simple Gifts Fund, and Workforce Development Fund. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rocky Mountain Health Foundation?
RMHF’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's EIN?
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1424932. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Rocky Mountain Health Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Rocky Mountain Health Foundation funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rocky Mountain Health Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rocky Mountain Health Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rocky-mountain-health-foundation-morg_2d6926fd56cc4619a5a8f1b94eb1b350
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841424932_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rocky Mountain Health Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rocky-mountain-health-foundation-morg_2d6926fd56cc4619a5a8f1b94eb1b350},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Rocky Mountain Health 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.
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?