Great Denver Charities & Nonprofits
The Denver area is home to a wide array of charities and nonprofits that help deal with the problems of homelessness, cancer, domestic abuse and other issues. Find out a little about some of them here, and consider donating or volunteering.
Denver’s Road Home
www.denversroadhome.org
Overview: Founded in October 2003, Denver’s Road Home is the Mile High City’s comprehensive 10-year plan to bring an end to homelessness for the Denver community. This organization doesn’t just serve the chronically homeless, it also provides opportunities and hope to all persons living on the street, in shelters or doubled up with friends and family in Denver, with an emphasis on persons and families whose incomes are at or below 30% percent area median income (those most in need and hardest to serve). Denver’s Road Home hopes to develop permanent, transitional and shelter housing, in addition to providing Denver residents facing homelessness with essential tools for staying off the street.
How You Can Help: There are a variety of one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities available. Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a call center specialist who can help you find a volunteer opportunity with agencies providing services for homeless individuals and families in our community. Find out how you can donate to Denver’s Road Home at www.denversroadhome.org/donate.php.
Bonfils Blood Center
www.bonfils.org
Overview: Belle Bonfils Memorial Blood Bank opened February 27, 1943, at Colorado General Hospital (now University of Colorado Hospital). This year Bonfils' celebrates 65 years of saving lives. It now operates nine community donor centers, serves more than 200 healthcare facilities in Colorado and beyond, collects more than 200,000 units of blood annually, and offers a variety of services to better meet the needs of the community.
How You Can Help: Each week, Bonfils Blood Center needs more than 4,000 donors to meet the needs of our community and to be prepared in case of an emergency. Donating blood typically takes less than an hour and with nine community donor centers and as many as 13 mobile blood drives each day, there's sure to be a donation location near you. Head to the website to find our more.
Morris Animal Foundation
www.morrisanimalfoundation.org
Overview: Mark L. Morris, Sr., a veterinarian, humanitarian, and visionary who pioneered advancements in nutrition and the development of today's quality dog food, founded the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) in 1948. Today MAF is the world's largest charitable, nonprofit organization funding research to protect, treat, and cure animals worldwide — both companion animals and wildlife.
How You Can Help: By donating to MAF, you can make a positive, crucial difference in the health, well being, and life of an animal. But giving back to animals doesn't always require making a cash donation. You can support Morris Animal Foundation in many unique ways, including hosting a fundraiser, donating an unwanted vehicle or setting up a charitable gift registry when planning your wedding. Go to www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/make-a-difference for more information.
Food Bank of the Rockies
www.foodbankrockies.org
Overview: Food Bank of the Rockies (FBR) strives to create a place for everyone at the table. In the area served by FBR, nearly 400,000 people live in poverty and struggle to meet their basic food needs; almost half of them are children. Hunger is especially hard on children, who make up 47 percent of the FBR’s clients, and must have proper nutrition to grow and learn. In today's uncertain economy, the need for food assistance continues to increase. Last year, FBR distributed over 22 million pounds of food -- enough for our agencies to provide more than 46,000 meals each day to children, seniors and families in need.
How You Can Help: The FBR offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including organizing and distributing food, assisting with mailings and other important duties. Call to schedule a time to volunteer. Contact Olive Crawford at 303-371-9250 ext.236 or by email at volunteer@foodbankrockies.org.
Dumb Friends League
www.ddfl.org
Overview: Founded in 1910, the Dumb Friends League (DFL) is a national leader in providing humane care to lost and abandoned animals, rescuing sick, injured, and abused animals, adopting pets to new homes, helping pets stay in homes, and educating pet owners and the public about the needs of companion animals. The Dumb Friends League is the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region, welcoming tens of thousands of animals to our two shelters.
How You Can Help: The DFL’s main shelter is located in Denver and our Buddy Center is in Castle Rock. If you'd like to volunteer at either location, please go to www.ddfl.org/volinfo.htm to fill out an online application. You may also request a hard copy by calling (303) 751-5772, Ext. 1933. You can also become a foster parent for animals – get complete information at www.ddfl.org/foster.htm.
The Delores Project
www.thedeloresproject.org
Overview: The Delores Project provides safe, comfortable overnight shelter and services to unaccompanied adult women who are homeless and have limited resources. The organization strives for hospitality, respect and regard for the dignity of each guest. In 2007, the project served 532 unaccompanied adult women, which was 96 percent of the total number of individual women counted as homeless that year.
How You Can Help: Get in touch with Lori Beth Brey to find out about volunteer opportunities. In 2007, volunteers helped serve more than 16,800 meals. If you’re interested in donating to the Dolores Project take note: An anonymous local donor has committed $40,000 to match dollar for dollar your contributions made by December 31, 2008.
Fired Up For Kids
www.firedupforkids.org
Overview: Fired Up For Kids produces the annual Colorado Firefighter Calendar and donates all proceeds received from special events and sales of the calendar to The Children's Hospital Burn Center, which provides burn care to neonates, infants, children and adolescents up to 21 years of age in the Rocky Mountain region. To date, Fired Up For Kids has raised more than $250,000.
How You Can Help: You can order your calendar online at www.firedupforkids.org or at purchase at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in LoDo (www.tatteredcover.com) and the Denver Firefighters Museum (www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org).
SafeHouse Denver
www.safehouse-denver.org
Overview: Established in 1977, SafeHouse Denver operates the only shelter in the City and County of Denver that exclusively serves victims of domestic violence. SafeHouse also runs a non-residential Counseling & Advocacy Center where we provide all of our support services to women and children not in need of emergency housing. SafeHouse's shelter has 26 beds plus cribs, serving more than 340 women and children in a typical year. In addition, SafeHouse serves hundreds more women and children through non-residential services. More than just keeping women and children safe, SafeHouse services include individual counseling, advocacy support groups, legal assistance and referrals to other services.
How You Can Help: Volunteering at a SafeHouse special event is a great way for individuals to get involved without making a long-term commitment. For information on upcoming special events, call 303.302.6112 or write to events@safehouse-denver.org. Find out about donating at www.safehouse-denver.org/content/view/27/41/.
Denver Kids, Inc.
www.denverkidsinc.org
Overview: The mission of Denver Kids, Inc. is to help students, grades K-12, who face the personal challenges of higher risk environments, successfully complete high school, explore post-secondary options and become productive members of the community. DKI provides long-term preventive counseling to male and female students in Denver Public Schools who are identified by school personnel as being at-risk, needing support and guidance beyond what is provided in school.
How You Can Help: DKI students are matched on a one-to-one basis with a Mentor -- known as "Friends" -- from the community who commits his or her time and energy to serve as a Mentor Friend for a year or more. The Mentor Friend receives training and guidance to serve as a positive, adult role model in the student’s life. Find out how you can become a mentor at www.denverkidsinc.org/volunteersub1.htm.
Cancer League of Colorado
www.cancerleague.org
Overview: The all-volunteer Cancer League of Colorado is committed to raising money for cancer research and patient care within the state of Colorado. Since 1985, they have awarded more than $5 million in research grants and service awards. The organization was founded by five women whose families were affected by cancer. These women personally experienced the heartache that comes with the disease.
How You Can Help: Cancer League of Colorado has no paid staff and no offices. All operating expenses are covered by membership dues and volunteer staff. Cancer League of Colorado now has more than 400 volunteer members who share the commitment to fight cancer and support cancer research. Find out how you can become a member at www.cancerleague.org/howcanyouhelp.htm.