We receive a combination of donations, contracts and grants to carry out our work. About 40% comes from program revenue, foundations, corporations and thousands of individual supporters who believe in ending homelessness through long term solutions. Approximately 60% is provided through federal, state and city contracts—we will continue to apply for eligible government contracts to help more people off the street each year.

How does Colorado Coalition for the Homeless compare to other human service organizations in Denver?

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is proud to be Denver’s 6th largest human service organization (according to the Denver Business Journal) following Volunteers of America ($62.4 million budget), Mental Health Center of Denver ($62.3 million budget), FoodBank of the Rockies ($54.8 million budget), Goodwill Industries of Denver ($54.7 million budget) and Denver Options ($47 million budget). We are proud of the comprehensive work we to do tackle a complex and persistent issue. We end homelessness through more than 40 housing, health care and other supportive programs serving 16,000 men, women and children each year.

Given the funding you receive and the more than 40 programs you offer, why are people still homeless and living on the streets?

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has successfully moved thousands of homeless men, women and children into safe and stable housing, and we continue to do so each year. However, the number of people experiencing homelessness has grown. Economic downturns have historically led to an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. In the last three decades, however, the number of people experiencing homeless has remained high even in good economic times. The current economic recession and foreclosure crisis exacerbate the problem of homelessness, threatening to push homeless numbers even higher, as they have resulted in federal, state and local budgetary limitations that undercut the ability of communities to provide the adequate housing and services needed to prevent and end homelessness. Homelessness is the result of a convergence of a number of factors: the lack of affordable housing; wages and public assistance that have not kept pace with the cost of living, rising housing costs, jobs loss and underemployment, and resulting debt; domestic violence and lack of affordable health care.

How do your executives' salaries compare to the salaries of others in non-profit organizations of similar size?

According to the Mountain States Employers Council’s August 2011 Non-profit Compensation survey data, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless president’s annual salary falls within the 50th percentile of organizations with annual operating budgets of $35 million or more. The average CEO/ED salary for similarly sized organizations was $225,000, nearly $50,000 more than our highest paid executive. In addition, what the salary survey does not represent are the challenges of leading a complex, statewide organization that provides health care, housing and supportive services under “one roof.”

What if you had more funding?

With more funding, we could expand our Housing First programs, designed to help chronically homeless families and individuals move more quickly off the streets or out of the shelter system. Housing First programs have been proven to be an effective, lasting solution to homelessness as well as fiscally efficient. An evaluation of Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ Housing First Program documented a 72.95% reduction in emergency service costs for chronically homeless individuals during their 24 months in the program, compared to 24 months prior to entry in the program. In addition, we could ensure that the 2,000 people on the waiting list for our mental health care services at Stout Street Clinic would receive essential psychiatric assessments, crisis intervention, medication management and case management.

How much do you spend on your administrative and fundraising functions?

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless allocates approximately 8% of our budget for organizational management, administration and fundraising. That means that 92% of every dollar is directed toward client programs and services.