$3.5 Million in Health Grants Expands Access to Care and Connection in Jefferson County

Across Jefferson County, nonprofits are helping residents access affordable health care, navigate health coverage and build stronger connections with the people around them.

This work comes at an important time. Changes to Medicaid are creating uncertainty for many residents, while access to mental health, dental and other essential services remains a challenge. At the same time, we know health is shaped by more than healthcare. Connection, belonging and strong communities also play a critical role in overall wellbeing.

With support from the Lutheran Legacy Fund, Colorado Gives Foundation was able to double the funding available for health initiatives, awarding $3.5M to 96 nonprofits serving Jefferson County.

The health challenges facing our community

Through this year’s applications, nonprofits shared where they are seeing the greatest needs among the people they serve. The three most common areas of focus were:

• Affordable health care: providing low- or no-cost mental, physical and dental health care.
• Social connection: helping people build meaningful relationships and reduce isolation.
• Health coverage: helping residents enroll in and access needed healthcare services.

Overall, nonprofits are focused heavily on direct health care services and one-on-one support that can help residents meet immediate needs.

The impact we anticipate

Together, this year’s Health Grant recipients will help more Jefferson County residents access the care, coverage and connections that support holistic wellbeing.

More people will keep or gain health coverage. Funded nonprofits expect to help thousands of residents enroll in Medicaid, understand their benefits and have consistent access to the health care they need even as requirements change.

More people will access affordable care. Grantees expect to provide tens of thousands of low- or no-cost mental, physical and dental health services, including services in mountain communities where transportation, distance and provider shortages can make care harder to access.

Mental health will remain a priority. Mental health services were the most common type of care proposed by applicants, with a particular focus on youth, mountain communities and residents who are uninsured or have difficulty finding providers who accept their insurance.

Dental care will reach people with limited options. With fewer organizations providing dental services, funded programs will help fill important gaps for older adults, veterans, people with disabilities and others with limited or no dental coverage.

More people will have opportunities to build lasting relationships. Grantees will create ongoing opportunities for connection through mentoring, tutoring, volunteer groups and ongoing community activities.

Communities will build connections across generations and backgrounds. Programs such as mentoring, caregiving networks and home-sharing will bring together people of different ages, cultures and life experiences.

Health in action across Jeffco

Below are a few examples of partners whose work shows how health and connection can come together within a single grant.

Mountain Resource Center will expand mental health support in Jefferson County’s mountain communities, combining therapist-led counseling with volunteer opportunities that help residents build stronger social connections.

JUST Living Recovery will help people in recovery access health care and Medicaid while creating opportunities to build community through volunteer projects and local events.

Eaton Senior Communities Foundation will support older adults in affordable housing by helping them navigate enrollment and use of Medicaid benefits, access health care services and reduce isolation through volunteer and community engagement opportunities.

Revel will improve access to health care for neurodivergent adults through Medicaid navigation and direct services while promoting greater understanding of the role social connection plays in overall wellbeing.

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2026 Jefferson County Health Grant Recipients

* Not available on ColoradoGives.org

Colorado Gives Foundation is committed to supporting the holistic wellbeing of Jefferson County residents—mental, social, spiritual and physical. By expanding access to care and resources while creating more opportunities for connection, we can help our neighbors connect with each other and their community in more meaningful ways and improve their overall wellbeing.

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