Foundation Grants $1 Million to 66 Organizations Serving Jefferson County
Kayla Arnesen 720.898.5919
karnesen@CommunityFirstFoundation.org
Community First Foundation grants $1 million to 66 organizations serving Jefferson County for community health improvement
ARVADA, Colo. (October 23, 2017) – Sixty-six organizations serving Jefferson County are receiving a portion of $1 million from Community First Foundation to improve conditions of community health in Jefferson County.
The 66 grant recipients are addressing critical community needs such as food security, early childhood development, arts and culture, access to health care and affordable housing, to name a few.
The $1 million provides funding to 66 organizations because they each demonstrate a record of accomplishment or strong evidence that their work is improving the lives of Jefferson County residents in one or more conditions of community health. Below is a breakdown of funding by condition.
| Conditions of Community Health | |||
| Grant Amount | Number of Grants | ||
| Economic Stability | $306,750 | 15 | |
| Education | $250,211 | 14 | |
| Social and Community Context | $136,194 | 13 | |
| Health/Health Care | $203,348 | 15 | |
| Neighborhood and Built Environment | $103,497 | 9 | |
| Total: | $1,000,000 | 66 | |
Community First Foundation learned from the community that improving quality of life and individual health is complex and depends on various conditions at the community level. These conditions are often referred to as Social Determinants of Health and include the areas of Economic Stability, Education, Social and Community Context, Health/Health Care and Neighborhood and Environment. These five areas represent a strategic approach to creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all¹. Community First Foundation has adopted the term “Conditions of Community Health to better reflect the integral role of community in addressing these health factors.
“We must address each of these conditions to holistically improve the health outcomes of the broad community,” says Noah Atencio, vice president of community impact, Community First Foundation. “The nonprofit sector’s contribution to these conditions of community health are significant and Community First Foundation is committed to supporting this work in Jefferson County.”
The Foundation has strong roots and a special relationship with Jefferson County because of our history with Lutheran Medical Center. This creates unique opportunities to make a positive impact in the quality of life in Jefferson County and build a stronger community.
“This is the largest multi-grant initiative the Foundation has awarded,” says Atencio. “Supporting community health in Jeffco helps the Foundation address multiple strategic priorities such as Honoring our Heritage in Jefferson County, Strengthening Nonprofits and Promoting Mental Wellness.”
Grantee Profiles (more available)
Arvada Community Food Bank’s grant award is $15,600. Grant dollars help the Food Bank to serve at least 1,400 children in Jefferson County weekly during the school year through its Feeding the Future program and establishing in-school pantries in select locations to provide emergency food supplies for families.
Jewish Family Service of Colorado’s grant award is $25,000 and supports Colorado Senior Connections in Jefferson County. Colorado Senior Connections helps seniors enhance their well-being and enable them to live independently as long as possible.
¹Healthy People 2020 Approach to Determinants of Health: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health
About Community First Foundation
Since 1975, Community First Foundation has been helping generous donors and innovative nonprofits come together to improve the quality of life and create positive change in Jefferson County, the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. For more information, visit CommunityFirstFoundation.org.
