Supporting Coloradans in Recovery through Non-Clinical Programs Grant

The Colorado Health Foundation is offering funding to support nonclinical programs aimed at aiding Coloradans in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. This initiative emphasizes community and purpose, fostering culturally responsive peer support services that enable individuals to engage with their heritage, find meaningful employment, and build supportive networks. Organizations must align with the Foundation's health equity goals and serve diverse populations to be eligible for funding.

Priority Area: Adult Recovery- Supporting Coloradans in Recovery Through Non-clinical Programs
Treatment alone is often not enough for individuals struggling with substance use and/or mental health challenges. Additional services offered outside the traditional four walls of the clinic can provide needed support that people simply cannot receive within the treatment setting. Individuals who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges often also experience other hardships in their life like maintaining a job and finding affordable housing. These hardships can make it difficult for an individual to focus on their recovery.
This funding opportunity will support individuals with mental health and/or substance use challenges in accessing non-clinical peer support services close to home that will make recovery possible. Through this funding opportunity, the Foundation is interested in strengthening peer-led or peer-driven programs that focus on the community and purpose pillars of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA's) model of recovery.
Proposed programs and/or projects must reflect the Foundation’s cornerstones. These outline who we serve, how our work is informed and our intent to create health equity.
Examples of programs/projects we’re interested in funding:
Supporting Coloradans in recovery to connect with cultural heritage and history through culturally and linguistically responsive approaches to recovery (e.g., Indigenous talking circles or sweat lodges)Helping Coloradans in recovery find and retain meaningful employment.Providing or connecting Coloradans in recovery with educational pursuits that will help to improve their employment and income prospects.Providing opportunities for those in recovery to engage with community, such as through volunteerism.Supporting creative endeavors such as incorporating the arts or wellness into recovery programming.Building community through peer social or support networks.

Eligibility

To be considered for funding, organizations must meet the following minimum criteria:Alignment with the Foundation’s cornerstones that advance our efforts to bring health in reach for all Coloradans:Serve Coloradans who have less power, privilege and income, and prioritize Coloradans of colorCreate health equityInformed by community and those servedAre either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government organization, or partnering with a nonprofit fiscal sponsorServe Coloradans aged 18 and overProvide culturally and linguistically responsive programming Intentionally recognize and incorporate the perspectives and life experiences of diverse populations served, including people of colorDemonstrated need of recovery services and supports for population(s) being served who have mental health and/or substance use challenges.Provide non-clinical programs that fall under SAMHSA's purpose and/or community dimensions ofrecovery:Purpose – Conducting meaningful daily activities such as employment, education, volunteering along with having the independence, income and resources to participate in society.Community – Having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
Examples of organizations considered for funding:Community-based, grassroots organizations focused on recoveryOrganizations supporting justice-involved individuals that provide recovery servicesRecovery advocacy organizationsRecovery community organizations (RCOs)Community mental health centersAffordable housing organizations that provide recovery servicesMutual-aid groupsNonprofit substance use disorder treatment providersVocational rehabilitation agenciesIndependent living centersPost-secondary institutions (colleges and universities)

Ineligibility

Who We Don’t FundOrganizations that willfully discriminate against a particular class of individualsOrganizations not abiding by all applicable local, state and federal anti-discrimination laws in hiring, employment practices and when providing servicesIndividualsScholarships and scholarship fundsPrograms that require membership in a certain religion or advance a particular religious faith (faith-based organizations may be eligible for funding if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious faith, provided they do not require participation in activities that are specifically religious)Programs operated by, or that benefit, for-profit organizationsDebt retirementFundraising eventsEndowments