About the Denver Foundation

2008 at a Glance
Grants = $68,821,860
Number of grants = 4,623
In 2008, The Denver Foundation and its donors gave 30% more dollars in grants than any other foundation in Colorado.

Number of funds = 962
Number of endowed funds = 466
Gifts received = $61,889,609
New funds created = 64

Established 1925
Mission We inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our community.

Vision & Values
We envision a community where all residents in Metro Denver have the opportunity for a high quality of life, including but not limited to: education, employment, food, clothing, shelter, health, rich cultural offerings, safety, and the ability to give of themselves and connect with their community. Our values include leadership, equity, inclusiveness, and accountability.

Overview
The Denver Foundation is a community foundation—a charitable organization created through gifts from thousands of generous people. Community foundations operate in perpetuity, meaning that gifts made to the Foundation will continue to grow and provide resources for generations to come. The Denver Foundation is one of more than 1,000 community foundations worldwide. It is the oldest and largest community foundation in the Rocky Mountain region.

Roles
The Denver Foundation has three primary functions. We steward an endowment to invest in meeting current and future needs for the community, manage more than 800 charitable funds for individuals, families, and businesses, and work with community and philanthropic leaders to address the core challenges that face Metro Denver.

Focus Areas
The Denver Foundation’s Community Grants Program awards grants in the areas of Arts & Culture, Civic & Education, Health, and Human Services. The Foundation operates a grassroots grantmaking program called Strengthening Neighborhoods and a program to promote inclusiveness called the Inclusiveness Project. The Foundation’s donor advisors make grants to every type of charitable endeavor.

Areas Served
The Denver Foundation serves the seven counties in Metro Denver: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson. The Foundation’s donor-advised funds give grants to charitable organizations in Metro Denver and throughout the United States.

Staff 41
Volunteers More than 100 volunteers serve on grantmaking and other advisory committees.