Community First Foundation announced this week $385,500 in grants from the Jeffco Hope Fund to help Jefferson County nonprofits continue responding to and recovering from impacts of COVID-19.

“We asked our nonprofits what they anticipated their greatest needs in 2021 to be and they told us recovering from COVID and mental wellness are priorities,” said Noah Atencio, Vice President of Community Impact.

These grants support the 40 organizations addressing the effects of social isolation in Jeffco and are intended to fuel innovative and proven approaches promoting physical and mental wellness and the safety of Jefferson County communities.

“The effects of social isolation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly impacted domestic and family violence, mental health needs, and substance abuse needs in our community,” said Kelly Dunkin, CEO and president of Community First Foundation.

So far in 2021, Community First Foundation has committed $2 million for Jeffco nonprofits supporting COVID-related issues in Jefferson County, ranging from food access to healthcare. In addition to the $385,500 in grants, the community foundation has provided $500,000 in COVID Housing Assistance matching grants; $350,000 to Jeffco workers through the No Worker Left Behind Fund; and $50,000 to the Together We Protect Vaccine Equity Fund for Jeffco-based vaccination support. The Foundation holds another $500,000 to invest in over the summer and fall as ongoing COVID needs emerge.

If you or your company are interested in supporting the Jeffco Hope Fund, please contact us! There are many ways individuals and families can partner with us to meet the need in Jefferson County, from creating fundraising pages for a local nonprofit to employee giving programs. We also can process gifts of stock, IRA charitable distributions and estate giving. Together, we can create giving plans that maximize the impact of your gifts and help create a resilient and thriving Jeffco! Learn more and donate at CommunityFirstFoundation.org/JeffcoHope.

Media Contact

Beth McConkey, 720.898.5919
bmcconkey@CommunityFirstFoundation.org