The LIFT Academy

It’s not technical assistance….it’s transformational assistance!

The LIFT Academy (Learning Initiative for Fighting Homelessness Together) provides capacity building and training for Transformational Homelessness Response (THR) grantees. Communities are doing amazing work to address homelessness; the LIFT Academy ensures organizations and communities have access to trainings and tools to sustain their programs for the long-term. 

The LIFT Academy is accessible for organizations and communities that have been awarded Transformational Homelessness Response (THR) grants from the Division of Housing within the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. There were 64 recipients of THR funds totaling more than $80M in initiatives, projects, and organizations working to transform the landscape of homelessness. 

The LIFT Academy, presented and managed by SHG Advisors, is comprised of 4 components:

In-Person Convenings include opportunities to learn from local & national leaders, share with one another, and celebrate successes.
Learning Circles are smaller groups that offer a deep dive into specific topics (such as rapid re-housing or Permanent Supportive Housing).
Virtual Assemblies focus on various training topics presented by local and national subject matter experts.
One-on-one transformational assistance will be available to approximately half of the THR grantees. Those grantees are matched with a SHG team member who will work with them for over a year, customized based on the needs of their program or organization.

Our program is structured around three key pillars to ensure that THR programs maximize outcomes and operate efficiently. Topics around Programmatic Excellence focus on increasing and maintaining outcomes to permanent housing. Funding Sustainability will focus on developing strategies that align with program goals, securing stable funding sources, and ensuring competitive staff compensation to reduce turnover. Intentional Inputs will emphasize incorporating lived experience, data-driven feedback loops, and system-wide policy considerations to tailor evidence-based programs to local needs. The LIFT Academy will equip staff and program leaders with the tools to build stronger, more effective, and sustainable programs.

Topics within the LIFT Academy are driven by the participants. We continuously evaluate and inquire about emerging needs and areas in which additional data and learnings will be helpful to their work.

Other than the kick-off meeting that was held in May 2025 and an in-person meeting in the summer of 2026, all of the other opportunities — learning circles, virtual assemblies, and one-on-one transformational assistance — are all virtual. The LIFT Team might also be coming to your community and we’ll let you know if/when that happens!

Virtual Assemblies and Learning Circles

Exciting opportunities are ahead! Several Virtual Assemblies and Learning Circles are planned in the coming months—check out our LIFT Academy Resource page to see what’s coming up and when.

How Can I Get Involved?

Participation in the LIFT Academy is only available for THR grantees, and additional information about the organizations can be found here. If you are a THR grantee, and are not aware of how your organization is engaging in this initiative, please check internally or ask SHG Advisors.

How are we engaging people with lived experience?

We are working with THR grantees to ensure that their councils of people with lived experience are included in the conversation. We know that addressing homelessness will be most successful when the people we are trying to support tell us what works and what does not. 

I have a question.

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a specific question about the LIFT Academy, complete this form and someone will respond to you within 3 business days.

Meet the Team

Meet the SHG Advisors team leading this work.