Rooted in Trust: Roots & Wings Foundation’s Journey with Denver Health

May 13, 2025

The path to lasting change is rarely easy. Even the most mission-driven donors face challenges: shifting needs, limited resources, and the complexity of improving lives in meaningful, lasting ways. But Roots & Wings Foundation recognizes that these obstacles are part of the journey. And with the right partners, they become opportunities to deepen impact and expand possibility.

Formed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roots & Wings Foundation was established with a clear purpose: to support families with young children, especially during moments of heightened vulnerability. Its first gift to Denver Health Foundation in 2020 came at a time when urgent challenges were emerging across the city. That early investment addressed immediate public health concerns and marked the beginning of a lasting partnership grounded in trust and shared values.

Investing in a strong start

At the core of Roots & Wings’ mission is a belief that every child deserves a strong start, one anchored in health, safety, love, and learning. This belief shapes every decision Roots & Wings makes and informs its work with hospitals and community organizations nationwide.

At Denver Health, this support has bolstered maternal and infant health programs, advanced early childhood development efforts, and contributed to welcoming, family-centered clinical spaces. From prenatal care through the early developmental years, Roots & Wings focuses on the moments that matter most, as a child’s future and a family’s well-being are being formed.

The Roots & Wings name reflects this vision. Children need stability to grow and freedom to thrive — roots to keep them grounded and wings to help them soar. It’s a philosophy that continues to guide Roots & Wings’ philanthropic path and underscores its deep commitment to the families Denver Health serves.

Meeting challenges with flexibility and trust

Driving meaningful change in today’s health care environment is rarely straightforward. Roots & Wings understands the systemic challenges at play: limited funding, rising costs, and families facing interconnected health and social needs.

In this landscape, trusted partnerships are essential. Roots & Wings seeks out organizations that are embedded in their communities and responsive to those they serve. Denver Health — with its 165-year legacy as Denver’s safety-net provider — exemplifies this kind of grounded, compassionate approach.

As a funder, Roots & Wings embraces a trust-based model of philanthropy. Whether supporting a community health worker who helps parents access essential services or funding staff training to promote healthy childhood development, Roots & Wings understands that solutions are best designed by those closest to the work.

In practice, this means that rather than placing limits or rigid expectations on its partners, Roots & Wings offers flexible funding that allows care teams to respond effectively to evolving needs. This approach also seeks to reduce administrative barriers, so organizations can spend more time serving families and less time navigating grant requirements.

A shared vision for health equity

Over time, the trust between Roots & Wings and Denver Health Foundation has evolved into a shared commitment to advancing health equity.

Roots & Wings views its philanthropy not as charity, but as a collaborative effort to shift systems and improve outcomes for families. It recognizes that giving a child a strong start sometimes means supporting a parent through a crisis. It might involve investing in calm, welcoming clinic spaces that reduce stress, or backing initiatives that support the well-being of frontline providers. By meeting needs holistically, its gifts can help create the conditions for families to thrive.

In addition to funding programs, Roots & Wings also acts as a connector, linking Denver Health Foundation with other partners to share insights across networks and amplify innovative practices. Its vision is long-term and deeply relational, rooted in the belief that sustained investment leads to lasting change.

Looking ahead

When asked what advice it would give others seeking to create meaningful impact, Roots & Wings responds with clarity: Pursue what you care about deeply, build authentic relationships, and allow yourself to grow through the journey.

Denver Health Foundation is honored to walk that path alongside this committed group. Together, we are expanding what’s possible — for children, for families, and for the future of health in Denver.

If you’d like to make a gift today, visit Denver Health Foundation’s donation page. Together, we can build a healthier Denver for all.

Rooted in Trust: Roots & Wings Foundation’s Journey with Denver Health

In this Story:

Investing in a strong start

Meeting challenges with flexibility and trust

A shared vision for health equity

Looking ahead

STAY IN TOUCH