Photo courtesy Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Since the beginning of December, more than 4,300 people have arrived in the Greater Denver community after fleeing unrest in South and Central America. Since these individuals lack status that provides eligibility for employment authorization while they await the outcome of formal immigration legal proceedings, they are currently unable to work and lack access to mainstream and traditional refugee resettlement benefits.
The City and County of Denver, State of Colorado, and local nonprofits are responding quickly to welcome them and provide necessary services. In response to this international humanitarian crisis that has arrived on our local doorstep, there are immediate needs that our community can help address.
Support the Newcomers Fund
All dollars raised through the Fund will be deployed quickly and strategically to Colorado nonprofits providing essential services. Grant decisions are being made with guidance from a steering committee which includes representatives from the City and County of Denver, the State of Colorado, The Denver Foundation, Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, and Mile High United Way.
To give via check, please mail to:
Rose Community Foundation
4500 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 900
Denver, CO 80246
Include “Newcomers Fund” in the memo line
Wire transfer instructions can be found here.
Interested Nonprofits
Colorado organizations serving newcomers from the Southern U.S. border are encouraged to apply for this open funding opportunity. Grants will support the following services:
- Emergency shelter or transitional housing resources
- More permanent shelter including security deposits and rent payments
- Basic needs, such as food and clothing
- Immediate medical care
- Workforce and employment opportunities
- Wraparound services like translation and interpretation, transportation to local appointments, volunteer coordination, etc.
- Short-term childcare while newcomers are receiving services above
Grant decisions will be made on a rolling schedule twice a month. Funding amounts will be determined based on the breadth and depth of impact in addition to the total amount available to grant. Please note that we are only funding initial triage services at this time, but as fundraising continues, we hope to have grants in the future to support nonprofits addressing longer-term needs.
Application Overview and Questions (provided for reference only, please submit your application using the link below).
If you are not applying for funding but would like to stay in the loop about the Newcomers Fund, please complete the form below.