Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award Grant

Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Colorado Health Foundation
Amount: US $20,000
Last Updated: March 03, 2026

Summary

The Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award honors exceptional leaders in Colorado who tackle significant health barriers and promote health equity. This annual award recognizes individuals for their impactful contributions to community health, encouraging innovative solutions that address critical issues. Awardees receive a $20,000 donation to support their nonprofit or another organization enhancing the health of Coloradans. The initiative aims to inspire others to pursue excellence in community health leadership.

Overview

The Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award honors on-the-ground changemakers tackling significant community health barriers and advancing health equity on both community and systems levels. About the Award Through the Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award, The Foundation recognizes one Coloradan annually whose distinguished track record of leadership in the communities they serve and the systems they are working in demonstrates disruption for positive change. The annual award recipient is honored in their home community and offered the opportunity to designate a one-time $20,000 donation to support their nonprofit or another nonprofit working to improve the health of Coloradans. The award is designed to: Recognize impactful efforts to advance health and health equity for Coloradans who have historically had less power and privilege.Advance innovative, proven and replicable solutions to address critical health issues in Colorado communities.Recognize the power of community health leadership in driving positive health outcomes.Inspire others to strive toward Dr. Licona’s standard of excellence and to honor those whose work embodies his spirit of care, compassion, activism and dedication.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The agency must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service and the Foundation. The selected organization must be located in the state of Colorado and its work must specifically benefit Coloradans. Do work that aligns with the Foundation’s cornerstones (https://coloradohealth.org/equity-justicecommitment) that advance our efforts to bring health in reach for all Coloradans.Actively and intentionally work to advance health equity and improve health outcomes for all Coloradans.Significantly influence or contribute to positive systems-level and community-level change, such as implementing better public policies and/or practices in the field.Foster lasting connections and build bridges among people with differing backgrounds or viewpoints.Represent a community-based organization from any field that shows evidence of improving health outcomes in their community (e.g., education, health, public safety, housing, economic development,  environment).

Ineligibility

No self-nominations will be considered.No Foundation board member, board committee community member, staff or their immediate family members will be considered.No posthumous nominations will be considered.No standing elected officials will be considered.Donations cannot be made to personal or family charitable trusts, or to churches, synagogues, mosques or other religious organizations unless designated for a secular program.