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With the holidays around the corner, Colorado Gives Day is the perfect time to support some of your favorite charities. The statewide day of giving celebrates local philanthropic efforts and encourages Coloradans to make donations online to any of the more than 2,400 organizations participating on December 4. Last year alone, the event helped over 2,300 nonprofits raise at least $36 million within a 24-hour period. While determining which causes to support can be difficult, we’ve compiled a list of 10 organizations to get you started.
Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Dedicated to improving the lives of those with Down syndrome, this nonprofit focuses on research, medical care, education, and advocacy initiatives. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation supports four different medical centers, including the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus—a facility with research focusing on the connection between Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and immune system disorders. The organization also hosts the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the world’s largest fundraiser for Down Syndrome. 3239 E. 2nd Ave. Denver. Donate here.
Hope House of Colorado
About two-thirds of parenting teen moms live below the federal poverty line, which can make navigating the landscape of available resources difficult. Enter: Hope House of Colorado, which provides resources including housing, free GED one-on-one tutoring and covers the costs of testing, parenting classes, and an educational daycare program for their children while they attend Hope House classes. Since its inception, the nonprofit has served nearly 1,000 teen moms and 1,500 children. 9088 Marshall Court, Bldg #4, Westminster. Donate here.
Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking
This organization operates Colorado’s only dedicated 24/7 human trafficking hotline, receiving over 500 calls in 2018 to date with nearly a third of them coming from survivors of trafficking. In addition to managing a hotline, which helps connect callers to services for those experiencing trafficking, the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking has also trained over 27,000 professionals and community members and conducts research within the state to inform policy change. 1031 33rd Street, Suite 237, Denver. Donate here.
Judi’s House
Processing the death of a loved one can be painful, especially for children who may be new to navigating the grieving process. That’s why former Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese and his wife established a nonprofit to provide support for youth and their families grieving the loss of a loved one—an organization founded in memory of his Brian’s mother, who died when he was twelve. The nonprofit’s trained counselors provide services to over 1,400 children and caregivers each year free of charge. 1741 Gaylord Street, Denver. Donate here.
Doctors Care
After Denver Health and Hospital made a decision to exclude suburban, medically uninsured patients from their facilities, a group of physicians from Arapahoe Medical Society created Doctors Care in response. The nonprofit provides health care and services intended to make health more accessible to low-income individuals, which includes a clinic and services to help individuals find and apply for subsidized insurance plans through the Connect for Health Colorado and Medicaid. 609 West Littleton Boulevard, Suite 100, Littleton. Donate here.
EcoFlight
It’s one thing to hear about threats to our wildlands and wildlife habitat, but EcoFlight puts this problem into perspective—literally. Through the organization’s educational programs, EcoFlight takes its participants on flights so they can understand land issues like oil and gas drilling, forest clear-cuts, and hard-rock mining firsthand. The donations received on Colorado Gives Day will go toward its student programs for Colorado high school and college students as they examine a variety of environmental impact issues flying over the state’s wildlands and waterways. 307 L AABC, Aspen. Donate here.
Work Options for Women
This nonprofit has worked with over 3,000 individuals to help them overcome personal obstacles to employment and assist them in finding jobs within the food service industry. Students learn tools of the trade, such as knife cuts and sautéing through the organization’s programming, while also providing job-readiness training to prepare them for the workplace afterward. Work Options for Women also provides case management services such as vision and dental appointments and housing assistance to students. 1200 Federal Blvd. Denver. Donate here.
Colorado Animal Rescue
With the holidays around the corner, the best gift that a pet can get is a loving home. The Glenwood Springs-based nonprofit serves as a shelter for Garfield County and Glenwood Springs, helping to match its animals with owners. The organization also provides spay/neuter assistance, training classes, and school visits. 2801 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs. Donate here.
Healthy Learning Paths
This organization partners parents and teachers with health professionals to teach children mental, physical, and social-emotional health skills. Healthy Learning Paths runs health labs, which allow children to learn more about the body, brain, and emotions, and it serves more than 1,000 children and their families. 11258 Decatur Circle, Westminster. Donate here.
A Precious Child
Partnering with over 450 agencies in eight Denver metro counties, this nonprofit works with children and families dealing with challenges such as abuse, neglect, and poverty. The organization provides case management services and helps those seeking assistance understand community resources available. 7051 W. 118th Ave. Broomfield. Donate here.
