2013 Top Company finalists: Nonprofit

Gigi Sukin //September 12, 2013//

2013 Top Company finalists: Nonprofit

Gigi Sukin //September 12, 2013//

Nonprofit

Goodwill Industries of Denver

While many consumers know Goodwill for its thrift stores, revenues from the retail operations as well as donor contributions fund the 95-year-old organization’s work force development programs meant to benefit the community.

Differentiator

Last year, Goodwill helped more than 21,000 people in Denver and Northern Colorado with career development.

Biggest Challenge

Goodwill’s biggest challenge is to continue to grow revenue in tough economic conditions, to fund community programs and serve even more Coloradans in need. It intends to do this by optimizing activities to increase efficiency and effectiveness, and by marketing retail and mission programs to a wider audience.

Greatest Achievement

Goodwill’s success is carrying out its community mission for individuals to gain dignity and self-sufficiency day in and day out.

Quote of Note

“Our mission to help struggling individuals gain work skills and employment is as relevant today as it was over 90 years ago.” – Stuart Davie, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries.

 

Project Angel Heart

Since 1991, Project Angel Heart has prepared and delivered nutritious meals at no cost for those living with life-threatening illness. This year alone, the organization anticipates delivering 485,000 meals to 2,200 men, women and children in Denver and Colorado Springs.

Differentiator

The organization specializes in free, customized meals to fit the unique dietary needs of each client.

Biggest Challenge

With a promise to increase the number of meals served by 30 percent within the next two years, the current challenge is to increase overall fundraising and build a stronger support base.

Greatest Achievement

A recent $7.1 million capital campaign allowed Project Angel Heart to move into a 30,000-square-foot facility in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood, allowing efforts to expand.

Quote of Note

“Preparing and delivering meals for more than 900 people each week takes an army of people who chop, dice and sauté in our kitchen, pack and deliver meal bags to the doors of clients, and invest their dollars in making our program strong.” – Erin Pulling, president and CEO.

 

The Denver Hospice

More than 60,000 patients and their family members have been served by The Denver Hospice and its Optio Health Services throughout a nine-county metro area for more than three decades.

Differentiator

The Denver Hospice Grief Center and Footprints Children’s Grief Center offer a variety of programs, from individual counseling to group support. Both have an in-house pharmacist, dietician and wound-care nurse, as well as extensive educational offerings for referral sources, community partners and organizations.

Biggest Challenge

Like every hospice in the nation, The Denver Hospice was hit with a 2 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements due to sequestration; however, Denver’s charitable organization was able to absorb the cutback because of its size, status and ability to fund-raise.

Greatest Achievement

The 35,000-square-foot Lowry in-patient care center opened in 2011 and has provided for more than 2,300 patients and families. In 2013, The Denver Hospice won the prestigious 2013 Circle of Life Award – presented by the American Hospital Association for innovations in hospice and palliative care.

Looking Forward

The Denver Hospice is hopeful that health-care reform will move its services into an arena that recognizes end-of-life care as an essential element in the continuum.