Photo credit: Andrea Palm-Porter, Executive Director of Roaring Fork Leadership
Belonging Colorado, a special fund at The Denver Foundation, is proud to announce the eight leadership development organizations selected to join our first Belonging Colorado Leadership Network Cohort. These organizations were chosen through a competitive process to participate in a six-month training program focused on bridge-building and belonging, facilitated by our partners at the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC).
“This opportunity is grounded in Belonging Colorado’s belief that leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture of our communities and that leaders equipped with tools to foster belonging can help bridge divides and create more resilient communities,” said Erika Montes, Belonging Colorado Program Lead at The Denver Foundation.
Each organization will receive a $20,000 grant to support their participation in a community of practice designed to:
- Build skills for bridging across lines of difference,
- Deepen understanding of belonging, and
- Support the integration of these concepts into their leadership development work.
“This opportunity is grounded in Belonging Colorado’s belief that leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture of our communities and that leaders equipped with tools to foster belonging can help bridge divides and create more resilient communities.”
- Erika Montes, Belonging Colorado Program Lead at The Denver Foundation
Throughout the program, participants will focus on embedding bridging and belonging into their curriculum and leadership practices. At the end of the six months, each organization will have the opportunity to develop and submit a proposal for how they plan to integrate bridge-building strategies into their ongoing work.
Especially in this moment, when tensions are high and divisions can feel more pronounced, leadership plays a critical role in creating pathways toward connection.
We’re thrilled to introduce the 2025 Belonging Colorado Leadership Network Grantees:
- Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce – Jefferson and Adams Counties
- *Chaffee County Public Health – Chaffee County
- Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation – Pikes Peak Region
- *Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation – Denver Metro Area
- *Downtown Denver Partnership – Denver Metro Area
- Montezuma Leadership Network – Montezuma County
- Roaring Fork Leadership – Roaring Fork Valley
- *Steamboat Springs Chamber Foundation – Yampa Valley
This cohort represents a diverse range of geographies and leadership models, but they all share a deep commitment to fostering belonging.
*Four of the eight grantees are active in regions where Belonging Colorado’s grassroots community-based grantees are working, creating opportunities for shared learning and peer networking.
We look forward to supporting these organizations as they integrate bridge-building strategies into their leadership programs and work to foster more connected and resilient communities across the state.
