The Synergy Fund

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  Pre- and Post-Funding Expectations

BHS announces new funding opportunity to foster collaboration, reduce duplication

Graphic showing information about The Synergy Fund

Since the 20-year ballot measure passed in 2018, we’ve been transforming our behavioral health system — step by step — together. Over the past seven years, we’ve expanded crisis care at the Longview campus and funded 77 community organizations through our Impact Fund Grant Program. With these initiatives firmly established, we’re now ready to broaden our investment strategy and deepen collaboration.

This is where The Synergy Fund comes in. It is a new opportunity for community partners to work together toward shared solutions that strengthen our system of care. This fund will support ideas that build relationships, spark long-term partnerships, and improve behavioral health outcomes by enhancing collaboration and shared impact across the behavioral health system.

Larimer County Behavioral Health Services will approve up to $10,000 in funds requested for a project or initiative that can spark long-term partnerships and strengthen mental health and substance use support across our community.

This fund is intended to: 

  • Foster connection, learning, coordination, or collaboration
  • Reduce duplication and competition through shared solutions
  • Address timely, emerging, or underfunded community behavioral health needs

Successful applicants will complete a purchase agreement with Larimer County Behavioral Health Services to provide specific services.

The Synergy Fund is being piloted during the 2026 year with an initial investment of $100,000. Once the department approves $100,000 in requests, no additional funds will be allocated.

Staff will evaluate this new investment strategy after the pilot period ends and determine next steps. 

APPLY NOW

Behavioral Health Services staff are committed to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and will oversee the competitive Synergy Fund application process.

  • Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis but are reviewed the first week of each month.
  • Staff evaluate applications for alignment with The Synergy Fund’s purpose, and BHS mission, vision, values, and Strategic Plan.
  • Staff have the discretion to decide what is funded or not.
  • Applicants can expect follow-up communication from staff whether they are approved for funding or not.
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Community groups with a fiscal sponsor able to receive public funds
  • Schools
  • Local government agencies
  • Coalitions or networks advancing behavioral health goals
  • For-profit entities may apply only when:
    • The public funding is essential for the project to exist, and
    • The community is the sole beneficiary and not the business.
  • Individuals
  • Individual certifications
  • Response to client/organizational financial crises
  • Indirect costs
  • Single-organization program expansion or ongoing operational expenses (salaries, etc.)
  • Capital costs or large equipment purchases
  • Fundraising, lobbying, debt repayment, or reimbursement for past expenses, and
  • Event sponsorships not tied to collaborative outcomes.
  • Share learnings and outcomes with the community in a final report
  • Openness to partner feedback and co-design
  • Focus on relationships and systems change, not only immediate outputs
  • Fiscal and reporting compliance
  • Be willing to partner with BHS staff to tell the story of this investment of tax dollars
  • Not exceed a request of more than $10,000
  • Involve two or more organizations; one must be a BHS-funded organization
  • Focuses on connection, learning, coordination, or collaboration
  • Reduce duplication and competition through shared solutions
  • Address timely, emerging, or underfunded community behavioral health needs
  • Benefits Larimer County

FAQs

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  1. Where do the funds come from?

    Voters in 2018 approved a 20-year tax initiative to support behavioral health in Larimer County. The Behavioral Health Services Department builds trust through the responsible use of those dedicated sales-use tax dollars, investing them in strategic ways. When the department formed, after passage of the ballot measure, these dollars were invested primarily through the annual Impact Fund Grant program, which has distributed $17.7 million to 77 unique organizations over the past years. 

    With the grant program well underway, the department has expanded its investments to include: the construction and operation of the Acute Care facility at Longview campus, open 24/7/365 to people of all ages experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis; The Synergy Fund; and, in 2026, projects identified through the community-driven development of a multi-year funding framework.

  2. How is this different from the Behavioral Health Services annual grant?

    The Synergy Fund is intended to incentivize connection, coordination, and collaboration among behavioral health-serving organizations to reduce silos and duplication. It is for one-time requests, less than $10,000. It is different from BHS’ annual Impact Fund Grant Program, which awards grants of $25,000 to $100,000 to organizations that fill gaps in behavioral health services in the community.

  3. Can an organization apply for and receive Synergy funds more than one time?

    Organizations may only receive one award per year. Previously receiving Synergy Funds is not a guarantee of approval in subsequent years. Requests for the same proposal each year are not eligible.

  4. If my organization’s application is selected, could we receive the requested funds up front?

    Yes. Organizations must submit an invoice (within 30 days of approval notification) to receive payment

  5. Can an individual member of the community apply for Synergy funds?

    No. Please refer to the eligibility information above for more.

  6. How does The Synergy Fund fit into Behavioral Health Services' overall strategy to invest dedicated sales-use tax dollars?

    Graphic illustrating BHS' responsive, short-, medium- and long-term investments

  7. Our organization has not received funds from BHS in the past. Should we still apply? Do I have to partner with a current grantee? How do I do that?

    Yes. Organizations who have not received grant funding from BHS are encouraged to apply and partner with current or past grant recipients. The current and past grantee lists can be found here. If you would like an introduction to an organization, please reach out to synergyfund@larimer.org for assistance.

Questions?

A member of our team is happy to help. Email synergyfund@larimer.org.