This is part of an annual grant cycle and includes $15,000 to improve health and safety for Latinx business owners, workforce
Denver, CO – Sept. 19, 2023 – Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado's leading workers' compensation insurer, is proud to announce the recipients of its annual grant cycle, awarding a total of $405,750 to 29 nonprofit organizations that align with Pinnacol's commitment to supporting workforce development, safety and economic vitality. These grants reflect Pinnacol's commitment to protecting Colorado employers and their employees’ health and safety, helping injured workers return to work, and fostering a robust business climate and a prepared workforce statewide.
"Pinnacol is integral to the health and longevity of Colorado’s workforce – one way we demonstrate that is through our commitment to the community. Especially in a rapidly changing, modern and post-pandemic economy, we are dedicated to promoting inclusiveness, resilience and access to community services that support Colorado’s employers, nonprofits and workforce," said John O’Donnell, CEO and President at Pinnacol Assurance.
One of this year’s larger grants was awarded to the University of Colorado’s Center for Health Work & Environment that received $15,000 for the Latinx Workforce and Employer Health and Safety Training initiative that continues efforts to improve health outcomes and health equity for the Latinx community. Pinnacol’s grant funds the development of annual community-based training sessions and resources for Spanish-speaking business owners and workers that address cited critical health and safety concerns such as mental health, stress, labor rights, disease prevention and emergency preparedness.
Anticipated outcomes supported by Pinnacol’s investment include improved worker engagement in workplace safety and health programs, increased confidence among Latinx employers and workers, and enhanced understanding of barriers and facilitators to workplace safety and health for the Latinx community. Additionally, the Colorado School of Public Health will partner with participating Latinx-owned businesses to implement actionable workplace health and safety programs.
Pinnacol Assurance's grant recipients include a diverse array of organizations, each dedicated to positively impacting Colorado's workforce and business environment.
The 2023 community grant recipients are:
Associated General Contractors: Creating sustainable pathways toward great careers in construction for high school students through education, training programs and other developmental opportunities.
Center for Visual Arts-MSU Denver: Supporting workforce development for local and international art teachers.
Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program: Developing and enhancing leadership capabilities in Colorado’s agricultural and rural communities.
Colorado Chamber Foundation: Supports business advocacy and growth that enhances a healthy business climate in Colorado.
Colorado Mesa University Foundation: Advances higher education opportunities through.
Colorado Restaurant Foundation: Enhances the industry’s training and education, career development and the overall well-being of the industry and its workforce.
Colorado Succeeds: Creating a statewide education, training and talent development system that ensures all Colorado’s kids acquire transferable competencies that prepare them for the future workforce.
Community Shares: Building nonprofit workforce capacity in rural Colorado.
Craig Hospital Foundation: Rehabilitating individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries to support them in returning to work, pursuing academic goals and volunteering in their community.
Colorado State University at Pueblo Foundation-CSU Pueblo Works: Reducing workforce shortages by awarding stipends for unpaid work practicums to BIPOC and low-income nursing students.
Delta Eta Boulé Foundation: Providing educational and professional support to young African American men through scholarships, mentorship and internships to develop the next generation of Black leaders.
Denver Scholarship Foundation: Supporting Denver Public School students through college completion and, ultimately, toward meaningful employment by closing long-standing educational and economic opportunity gaps and providing workforce exposure and connectivity.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office: Enhances public safety initiatives.
Easter Seals Colorado: Providing increased and sustainable outpatient support for individuals with neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke, through its neurological rehabilitation adult day programs.
Emily Griffith Technical College: Raising educational and charitable funding to support underserved populations at Emily Griffith Technical College in earning jobs and gaining economic mobility.
Five Star Education Foundation: Supports education excellence and innovation for Adams12 students.
Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges: Providing scholarships to students with financial needs in rural communities to ensure access to a quality education.
Home Builders Association Foundation: Promotes workforce development in the construction industry.
Home Builders Foundation: Enables individuals with disabilities and their families to live more independent, elevated lives.
Kids At Their Best, Inc.: Providing low-income youth on the Eastern Plains with opportunities for job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships.
Loveland Habitat for Humanity: Builds and repairs affordable housing for low to moderate-income residents.
Mesa Youth Services: Providing mentor services to at-risk youth through the Western Colorado Conservation Corps which allows young adults to work on public land improvement projects and earn certifications to support future employment.
Mile High United Way: Serving young adults experiencing homelessness by providing them with stable housing, education, career opportunities and wellness support to help them build greater independence and economic stability.
Rocky Mountain Stroke Center: Offers support for stroke survivors and their families.
Second Chance Center: Helps formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives.
Southern CO American Society of Safety Professionals Scholarship: Providing education, standards development, advocacy and a professional community to support the advancement of safety professionals.
University of Colorado Center for Health, Work & Environment: Reaching Latinx-owned businesses in Colorado to train them in health and safety guidance to improve worker health.
University of Colorado Foundation - Occupational Health: Promotes worker health and safety.
Warren Village: Empowers low-income, single-parent families to achieve self-sufficiency.
Year One Inc. Mile High Youth Corps: Provides youth leadership and job training.
Interested organizations can find more information at Pinnacol.com/community-relations. Colorado nonprofits are invited to apply; they do not need to be a Pinnacol policyholder.
About Pinnacol Assurance:
Pinnacol Assurance is Colorado’s largest workers’ compensation insurance carrier. We operate as a mutual insurance company, providing caring coverage for nearly 1 million workers in the state. We focus on saving our customers money through careful rate-setting, general dividends and our award-winning safety programs. You can see our care for Colorado at work through our grantmaking, scholarships, volunteerism and award-winning apprenticeship program and through our championing diversity, equity and inclusion. Learn more at Pinnacol.com.
