Please read these instructions for submitting your grant proposal carefully.  We welcome your questions. If you would like to speak with someone about your project in advance of your application, or if you have questions about your grant application, please call 720-524-0770 or 1-800-463-7713 and ask for a member of our program staff.  Successful proposals must reflect the mission and vision of the Foundation. Grants given the highest priority for funding meet one of these three criteria:

1. The project targets an underserved population.  Caring for Colorado Foundation defines underserved populations as groups of individuals who have no, or inadequate, access to health services due to limited financial resources, lack of health insurance, geographic isolation or language/cultural barriers.
   
2. The project increases access to direct health services through increasing availability of services, expanding eligibility for services or reducing barriers to care.  Assuring that underserved populations can access health services is a top priority of the Foundation.
   
3. The project uses prevention strategies to assure positive health outcomes for at-risk individuals or populations.  Prevention programs that work to reduce health risks through health behavior change are a high priority for the Caring for Colorado Foundation.

Proposals that are viewed as the most competitive by the Foundation include the following:

1. There is a documented community need for the proposed project.  Priority will be given to agencies that document the community need for their project through community-level health status data, population-based studies and/or community surveys and are able to demonstrate how the proposed project does not duplicate existing efforts in the community.
   
2. The proposed intervention is based on research-validated, best practices.  Whenever possible applicants should utilize programs and practices that have shown consistent, positive outcomes in other communities.
   
3. The applicant has a proven track record of working with the target population.  Caring for Colorado is most interested in working with agencies and organizations that are seen as credible, reliable and culturally competent by both the target population and other community service providers.
   
4. The project creates lasting or sustainable change in individuals or the community, and applicants can measure and demonstrate that change.