The CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital Foundation awarded almost $100,000 in grants to 19 organizations during the Yankton Benedictine Sisters Fund 2026 Grant Awards Reception held on April 1 at St. Thomas More Hospital.
The grants aim to improve health and wellness across Fremont County by supporting a range of community programs. Recipients include organizations focused on literacy, youth support, search and rescue efforts, senior services, and resources for teen mothers and high school graduates.
This year’s recipients received a total of $96,000 in funding. The list includes Bear Hugs/Beaver Packs RE-2, Bridge Youth Center, Canon Christian Academy, Canon City High School Funfest, Canon Literacy Center, Canon City Golden Age Council, Canon City Pregnancy Center, Family Crisis Services, Florence High School Senior Funfest, Fremont CO Search and Rescue, Fremont County Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Heart of Colorado CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Hope House, Kindred Kids Advocacy Center, Meals on Wheels, Mt View Core Knowledge School Program for students with special needs (Mt View Core Knowledge), Night to Shine prom event for people with disabilities (Night to Shine), Orchard of Hope cancer support group (Orchard of Hope), and Senior Services Solutions Plus.
“These grants keep the 90-year legacy of the Yankton Benedictine Sisters alive. The Sisters dedicated their lives to caring for the sick and nurturing the health of the Canon City community,” said Mike Cafasso, President of St. Thomas More Hospital. “The grant recipients are keeping our community healthy and safe while educating them and helping them thrive. They are an extension of our healing ministry.”
According to information provided at the event’s announcement on April 2 in Cañon City by hospital officials: when the last sisters left St. Thomas More Hospital in 2004 they donated a $1 million gift to establish an endowment benefiting Fremont County residents—ensuring that their mission would continue through ongoing grantmaking efforts long after returning home to Sacred Heart Monastery.
Community members interested in learning more about future grant opportunities or other foundation initiatives are encouraged to contact Linda Russell at St. Thomas More Hospital Foundation.
