1. What is Caring for Colorado?

Caring for Colorado is a health grantmaking foundation promoting improved health and health care for the people of Colorado. The Foundation was created in 1999 from the proceeds of the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado to Anthem. It is a 501(c) (4) non-profit organization.

2. How does Caring for Colorado get its money?

The Foundation was formed through the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield, a non-profit organization, and that sale yielded proceeds of $155 million. As mandated by Colorado state law, the proceeds from the sale were dedicated to benefit the health of the people of Colorado. The Caring for Colorado Foundation was endowed to fulfill this responsibility. The invested corpus continues to grow, while a percentage of it is given each year in grants to qualified non-profit and government agencies in Colorado.

3. What types of organizations do you support?

The Foundation will consider grant awards to organizations whose services benefit Colorado and are charitable nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service or are tax-supported institutions such as public agencies including state or local governments or schools. Note that new or emerging organizations are permitted to apply through a tax-exempt organization acting as fiscal agent.

4. Do you give grants or scholarships to individuals?

No, we do not. Additionally, we do not fund the following:

• For-profit entities
• General operating support 
• Annual appeals or membership drives
• Fundraising events
• Financial support for political candidates
• Lobbying efforts
• Screening programs without a follow-up component
• Patient assistance funds
• Legal services

5. Do you provide funds to individuals to assist with health care costs?

No.

6. How does my organization apply for funds?

First, read the Grant Application Overview.  Next, to apply online, click "Start an Online Application" on the "Submit An Application" page of the Foundation's website.

7. Does Caring for Colorado accept the Colorado Common Grant Application? 

No.

8 What are your grant deadlines?

 Caring for Colorado Foundation has three deadlines annually for grantmaking:

• The second Friday in March.
• The first Friday in October.

Grant applications must be received in our offices by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.

9. What is the size of grants available? 

The amount granted to an organization varies depending on many factors including a project's total budget and the potential impact of the proposed interventions.  Foundation staff members are available to discuss specific project needs prior to submission of a proposal. The Foundation favors proposals that include broad community support, additional funders and an indication of how the program or project will be sustained after the grant is finished.

10. Do you offer multi-year grants?

Yes.  Most of Caring for Colorado's grants are for one year, however, the foundation will consider multi-year requests. The need for multi-year funding should be clearly outlined in the application.  Even in those instances when an organization is awarded a multi-year grant, the organization must meet annual objectives before subsequent year monies are disbursed. 

11. If we have been funded in the past, may we apply for funds again?

Yes.  In these cases, the foundation will consider the organization's funding history with Caring for Colorado and the outcomes of previous grants.

12. If we have received funding for one program, may we apply for funding for a different program?

Yes, however the foundation is unlikely to provide two grants to an organization for projects in the same community in a single grant year.

13. May we apply for funding if we do not have 501 (c) (3) status?

If yours is a new or emerging organization, you are permitted to apply through a tax-exempt organization acting as a fiscal agent. Please call CFC program staff to learn more about how to apply for grant funds using a fiscal agent.

14. How are funding decisions made?

The 15-member Caring for Colorado Board of Directors makes all decisions on grant awards.   

15. Can I get help if something in the guidelines is unclear?

Yes -- we're here to help you, and we encourage you to call us before you complete your application. Feel free to call and speak to a member of our program staff before applying for a grant.

16. How long does it take to make a decision on an application?

Each of the Foundation's grant cycles takes approximately four months.

17. How do you monitor the grants you give?

Grantee organizations are required to submit progress reports, including expenditure reports, twice during any grant year.  The Foundation pays particular attention to reported progress on grant objectives. Foundation staff also site visit grantees when possible.