National Jewish Health Recognized by El Pomar Foundation

National Jewish Health was named the winner of the Joel A. H. Webb Award for Excellence in the category of healthcare - Large Organization at the annual El Pomar Foundation Awards for Excellence Presentation Banquet. National Jewish Health receives $15,000 to be used for charitable purposes.

El Pomar Foundation, one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West, contributes $25 million annually through direct grants and Community Stewardship Programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities, and civic and community initiatives.

The Awards for Excellence recognize and reward Colorado nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals that serve their communities with distinction and excellence.  A statewide commission of community leaders selects 33 nominees and 11 winners, which received more than $380,000 in cash awards from the El Pomar Foundation at the banquet. The El Pomar Foundation Awards for Excellence program has provided more than $4.3 million in grant support to 396 nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado.

In 2004, the Kunsberg School at National Jewish Health received a $5,000 grant as a finalist in the Award for Excellence, small healthcare category. The Kunsberg school is a day school program on the campus of National Jewish Health for students in grades K-7 who may require medical assistance during the normal school day.

The only school of its kind in the country, Kunsberg serves children from throughout the Denver metro area who are suffering from asthma and other chronic diseases. Approved by the Colorado State Department of Education, Kunsberg provides students with a well-rounded education while teaching them and their families how to live with and manage their disease.  National Jewish Health provides nearly $1 million per year to operate the school, which is free to children.