The CAFP Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing Family Physicians and their communities with education, resources, and research to advance Family Medicine and to improve the health of the people of Colorado.

Strengthening the Future of Family Physicians

Building the next generation of Family Physicians in Colorado
The Colorado Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (CAFPF) is dedicated to strengthening Family Medicine and fostering healthier communities. We’ve spent decades connecting medical students to primary care careers, providing impactful education, and leading public health initiatives.

Today, we face a critical challenge: Colorado will need nearly 1,800 additional primary care physicians by 2030. Yet medical students are increasingly burdened by debt that often exceeds $200,000, which pushes many toward higher-paying specialties. Family Medicine needs go unfilled, especially in rural and underserved areas. But by alliviating debt for these future physicians, we can make Family Medicine a competitive and fulfilling career choice and ensure more Coloradans have access to high-quality, compassionate care.

Our Response
Through the Strengthening the Future campaign, we aim to change this. Over the next 18 months, we’re raising $1.25 million to provide $25,000 scholarships to 40 outstanding students entering Family Medicine. These scholarships, paired with mentorship and leadership development, will:

• Reduce financial barriers for students
• Encourage graduates to stay and practice in Colorado
• Build a stronger, more sustainable primary care workforce

Get Involved
Your support will help shape the future of health care in Colorado.

• Donate to fund “Strengthening the Future of Family Physicians” scholarships
• Volunteer to connect with individuals and entities who would help support this work.

Together, we can invest in Colorado’s health by investing in its future Family Physicians.

Public Health Education

We are invested in supporting public health education, both for children in school and for adult Coloradans. Learn more about current public health initiatives below.

The Stop & Imagine program was developed as an evolution of the Tar Wars program. Recognizing a need to address both marijuana and tobacco in Colorado, members of the CAFP worked to develop a curriculum that would deliver fact-based and engaging information to 4th and 5th grade students. Get in touch to coordinate a program.

Tar Wars was a tobacco cessation program that was co-founded by Colorado family physician Jeff Cain, MD. While the program was housed at the national level within the American Academy of Family Physicians for many years, it was sunsetted in 2023. Smoking cessation resources are still available here.