Across the Denver metro area, there are large nonprofit organizations adding another page in the history of our region’s success.
The Chamber’s annual Business Awards luncheon presented by Colorado Business Bank recognizes organizations in our community that make our region a great place to live and do business.
Get to know our Large Nonprofit Organization of the Year finalists in their own voice, sponsored by Fireside Production.
Established: 1980
What we do: Every year since 1980, 9Health Fair has provided free and low-cost biometric screening to the general public. We work with individuals who do not carry or have insurance, regardless of legal status, ethnicity, race or language. We’ve seen approximately 2 million people in our history. We are committed to helping people overcoming barriers to health and leading healthier lives. We serve over 70,000 individuals annually at our 150 sites.
Best advice received: Listen more than you speak.
We love having our business in Colorado because: Our state is more health conscious than any other – we all have the opportunity to live the mission of 9Health Fair in the outdoors of Colorado!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Established: 1918
What we do: We recruit, screen, train and match the very best mentors in Colorado with children who need someone, and then support that match to ensure every child achieves his or her full potential. Research proves that mentoring changes lives for the better, forever!
Greatest mentor: All of our mentors are great, though our greatest mentor of all time may be Claude Blake, the Denver attorney who founded our agency in 1918. Little did he know, his agency would go on to positively impact the lives of thousands.
Best part of the day: We love “match introductions” – the meeting when a new Little meets his or her Big for the very first time. It is a moment packed with nervous energy and hope and marks the beginning of a relationship that can last a lifetime.
Colorado Neurological Institute
Established: 1988
What we do: CNI provides specialized neurological care (such as rehab, counseling, driving assessments and support groups) for neurological patients, despite their individual condition or ability to pay. In addition, CNI conducts over 40 clinical trials in many neurological areas (including epilepsy, brain tumor, stroke, MS and Parkinson’s disease) and CNI facilitates educational programs across the region.
Did you know:
- One in three people will acquire a neurological condition in their lifetime.
- There are over 300 different types of neurological conditions.
- When someone suffers a stroke, 1.9 million nerve cells in the brain die each minute, and the oxygen-starved brain ages about 3.6 years each hour. (That’s why time is of the essence!)
Best part of the day: By far, the time we spend with patients and caregivers is our favorite part of the day. It’s wonderful to see the progress they make and to laugh (and cry) with them along their unique journeys.
Please join us on Friday, April 29, to see the winners announced live at the 2016 Business Awards.
Maggie McEntee is the digital communications and brand manager for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.