responsive grantmaking
Children, Youth, and Families
Purpose
Support opportunities that create equity for children, youth, and their families.
Why We Care
Investing in children, youth, and their families is a vital strategy for fostering long-term equity and prosperity. When young people are supported through safe, stable, and nurturing environments, they not only thrive in their personal development but also become valuable contributors to society.
Childhood, from birth through late adolescence, is a foundational period that shapes an individual’s future relationships, behaviors, health, and overall social outcomes. Our funding strategy capitalizes on these critical developmental windows, recognizing that young people are most likely to thrive when they experience safe, stable, and nurturing environments. By empowering families, we aim to foster resilience and well-being in children, setting them up for long-term success.
What We Fund
To advance equity for children, youth, and their families in Pueblo County, annual funding opportunities will be available in four focus areas:
- Basic Needs
- Social & Emotional Well-Being
- Behavioral Health
- Economic Stability & Advancement
Funding opportunities are designed to be flexible, leverage community assets, and support grantee partners as they work to improve conditions for children, youth, and their families. Grant decisions will be made in alignment with the Advisory Board’s Grantmaking Guiding Principles.
Our Focus Areas
Contact our Team
Basic Needs
Why We Care
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Supporting basic needs not only enhances child and family well-being but also strengthens communities as a whole. By providing these vital resources and services, we can begin to break the cycle of instability and create conditions that foster a nurturing environment for children and youth to thrive.
What We Fund:
To increase equitable access to services and supports that help meet basic needs, including safety, nutrition, housing, and transportation, we fund strategies that:
- Prevent and minimize the impacts of violence and trauma within families, schools, and the community
- Increase access to affordable, culturally responsive, nutritious food for those experiencing food insecurity
- Support transitional housing and emergency sheltering, with wraparound support for young people and families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness
- Offer safe, affordable, and reliable transportation for young people and their families
Application Timeline
Part 1:Â Due on January 16, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.
Part 2 (if invited to submit): Due Thursday, February 20, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.
Grant Start Date: July 1, 2025
Social and Emotional Well-Being
Why We Care
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Developing a strong, positive sense of identity supports social-emotional well-being by providing a sense of belonging, purpose, and self-worth. A strong sense of identity often emerges from feeling accepted and valued within social groups such as family, friends, and community. Understanding and embracing one’s cultural identity can also enhance social connections and emotional well-being, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
When young people feel supported and connected to each other, their families, and their community, they are more likely to meaningfully contribute and engage in civic life. This results in a healthier, safer, and more resilient community.
What We Fund:
To increase the cultivation of a strong sense of identity, development of supportive and nurturing relationships, and engagement in opportunities that build connections and community engagement, we fund strategies that:
- Create opportunities for parents and caregivers to build social support and strengthen relationships with their children
- Help children and youth cultivate healthy and supportive relationships with peers and trusted adults, including access to diverse mentors
- Support young people in developing effective coping, self-management, and self-regulation habits and skills
- Implement evidence-based restorative justice practices with young people that aim to build a sense of community while responding to conflict and harm
- Encourage pride in community, culture, or identity through free or affordable extracurricular and enrichment activities
- Help young people develop leadership skills and engage in civic life
Behavioral Health
Why We Care
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When additional support or intervention is needed, accessible, family-centered behavioral health services become vital. Mental and behavioral health issues often emerge in early childhood or adolescence, shaped by family dynamics and interactions. This underscores the importance of providing comprehensive support not only for young people but also for their families.
By prioritizing culturally responsive care, providers ensure that interventions are relevant, respectful, and effective, fostering trust and a sense of belonging within the communities they serve. This holistic approach enhances the overall well-being of both children and their families.
What We Fund:
To increase the experience of optimal behavioral health for children, youth, and families, we fund strategies that:
- Help young people make informed decisions and establish positive behaviors related to behavioral health, such as staying active, eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, refraining from substance misuse, delaying early sexual activity, and preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancy
- Support children, youth, and their families experiencing behavioral health crises
- Provide access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally responsive behavioral healthcare, including efforts to address gaps in services or remove barriers to quality care
- Use a systems-level approach to maintain a diverse and affordable network of behavioral health services and support
Economic Stability and Advancement
Why We Care
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However, when families achieve stability, parents, caregivers, and young people gain the freedom to explore pathways to economic advancement. Opportunities for career development, higher education, or vocational training leads to stable employment, living wages, and the ability to build wealth and attain long-term financial independence. Beyond improving the quality of life for individual families, economic stability strengthens the community’s overall economic health, fosters resilience, and helps reduce social and economic disparities.
What We Fund:
To increase economic stability and advancement for children, youth, and families, we fund strategies that:
- Focus on career development and readiness for young people and their parents or caregivers
- Offer holistic educational support for students
- Improve quality and increase access to affordable childcare, including home-based, center-based, preschools, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers
Frequently Asked Questions
When can my organization apply for Children, Youth, and Families funding?
The Children, Youth, and Families funding opportunity typically opens in the second week of November, with a Part 1 Application deadline in the second week of January. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most up-to-date deadlines and information on all funding opportunities.
How do I know if my organization is eligible to apply?
In addition to Caring for Colorado’s general eligibility, applications must serve only residents of Pueblo County. Although not in our eligibility requirements, the advisory board prioritizes requests that align with their funding principles. Please note, that we do not fund:
- Grants to individuals
- Scholarships
- Debt retirement
- Building endowments or reserve funds
- Capital campaigns
- Membership campaigns
- Individual financial assistance programs that are not supported by wraparound services
- Grants for academic research
- Anti-abortion efforts
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Financial support for political candidates
- For-profit entities
How does Caring for Colorado's Packard Fund for Pueblo define adolescence?
Adolescence is typically defined as the period when children begin puberty, marked by rapid physical and brain development until they reach adulthood, with a fully mature physique and brain. With young people beginning puberty earlier, we define adolescence as ranging from ages 9 to 25. Additionally, by concentrating on younger individuals, we aim to achieve key prevention goals.
What is the application process?
Caring for Colorado utilizes a two-part online application process. The Part 1 application is designed to provide grant-seekers with a quick, low-barrier opportunity to share basic information about the organization and proposed work. Staff and Advisory Board members review Part 1 applications to determine eligibility and alignment with the funding opportunity.
Organizations that submit a Part 1 application are notified about the status of their application within one month of the deadline. If an application is declined, the organization will receive an email from the director of place-based philanthropy with a brief explanation of the decision.
Organizations that are invited to move forward in the review process will be asked to complete the Part 2 application, which is submitted via Caring for Colorado’s online grants portal. Part 2 applications will be reviewed within one month of the application deadline.
If an organization’s application does not move forward in the review process, the director of place-based philanthropy will provide the opportunity to schedule a meeting to learn more about the decision. If an organization is asked to continue in the review process, they will be contacted to schedule a site visit.
Following a comprehensive review process,  The Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo Advisory Board prioritizes will submit their grant recommendations to Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund’s Board of Directors for consideration. Applicants are notified of grant decisions after the board approves them.
Can I submit more than one application for the same funding opportunity?
No. Each organization can only submit one application per funding opportunity. We recommend that you select the focus area and strategies that most closely align with your core work.
Can I submit an application to both Caring for Colorado‘s Youth Health and Well-Being funding opportunity and the Children, Youth, and Families funding opportunity?
Yes. Each organization may apply to both funding opportunities. Each of these opportunities is funded through a separate funding source, with different requirements and decision-making processes.
Does my organization need to focus on all the strategies to be eligible?
No, your organization does not have to focus on all the strategies to apply. For each strategy chosen, you will be asked to create at least one outcome and a subsequent objective. So only select the strategies that align with your proposed work.
What is the grant award range?
​The annual grant range for this funding cycle is $15,000-$50,000. We expect the majority of grants in this focus area to be for 12 months, but those receiving 24-month grants could range upwards of $100,000.
Grant size depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the scale and scope of the proposal, other sources of funding available to support the work, and our available budget.
Does Caring for Colorado fund organizations they have not previously funded or are unfamiliar with?
Yes. We welcome and encourage applications from organizations that are new to Caring for Colorado and the Packard Fund for Pueblo grant program.
Does Caring for Colorado consider collaborative applications from more than one organization?
Yes, one organization must serve as the primary applicant. We also recommend you clearly outline the responsibilities of each partner organization and describe how funding will be used for each partner’s work.
Will Caring for Colorado review an application early if it is submitted before the deadline?
No. All applications are reviewed after the deadline.
If our organization’s application is approved, what is the grant start date?
The grant start date for Children, Youth, and Families grants is July 1.
Is it possible to schedule a meeting with a staff member to discuss alignment with Children, Youth, and Family focus areas before we apply?
Yes! If you would like to schedule a short meeting with the director of place-based philanthropy, Gina Lopez Ferguson, using this link:Â https://calendly.com/gferguson-6/30min
What is Caring for Pueblo County?
Caring for Pueblo County is Caring for Colorado’s place-based philanthropy priority. Caring for Colorado believes that local individuals and organizations know how best to address the complex challenges and issues facing their communities and have chosen to intentionally invest in efforts that support children, youth, and families in Pueblo County.Â
In addition to participatory grantmaking efforts, Caring for Colorado is committed to having full-time, local staff present to serve as advocates and connectors for the nonprofit sector. Caring for Colorado also recognizes the importance of building the capacity of its grantees. Annually, local staff members engage with their partners to identify support and capacity-building opportunities. Because of these efforts, Caring for Colorado believes that they are able to more effectively serve organizations that support children, youth, and families in Pueblo County. Our holistic and culturally responsive approach to place-based philanthropy helps us to be a better funder and partner to the community.Â
Does the David and Lucile Packard Foundation still have a local grantmaking program in Pueblo?
No. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation no longer has a local grantmaking program in Pueblo. In its place, the Packard Foundation made a $20 million, one-time grant to Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund to establish the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo, an endowment that will fund Pueblo County for decades to come.
What is the Caring for Colorado Centennial Fund?
Our Centennial Fund, a 501(c)3 subsidiary of Caring for Colorado, offers individuals, families, and foundations the opportunity to contribute to important causes linked to Caring for Colorado’s mission. The mission of the Centennial Fund is to support innovation and community-based solutions to improve the health, well-being, and economic success of Colorado’s children and families. The Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo is managed through Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund.
Who makes the grant decisions for the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo?
Caring for Colorado partners with a local community advisory board to provide grant funding from the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo to organizations that serve Pueblo County. The advisory board, appointed by the Caring for Colorado Centennial Fund Board of Directors, develops the strategic direction for the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo and is responsible for making grant recommendations. Local advisory board members are from the Pueblo community and are invited to participate following an open application process. The Caring for Colorado Centennial Fund Board of Directors is the governing entity for the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo and approves the advisory board grant recommendations.
How does the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Pueblo Advisory Board manage conflicts of interest?
All advisory board members receive training on what constitutes a conflict of interest and are required to disclose any conflicts in writing, annually. During the grantmaking decision process, those with conflicts do not participate in site visits, grant discussions, or recommendations with the organizations where they have a conflict of interest. Of note, all Caring for Colorado staff are required to follow the same conflict of interest disclosure protocols.
Other Caring for Pueblo County Focus Areas
Nonprofit Capacity Building
We believe a healthy, resilient, and connected nonprofit sector is vital to creating equitable communities.
Youth Leadership and Grantmaking: Pueblo Youth Action Council
We believe young people have the power to make the world a better place.