
“I intend to attend medical school and make an influential impact on children’s lives by giving them the comfort, care, and resources that they need when it comes to their health,” said Khadro, a recipient of The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship.
Khadro is turning this dream into a reality with support from The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship, which supports first-generation, economically disadvantaged college students pursuing post-secondary education.
Khadro knew she wanted to be a doctor from a young age. Growing up in Somalia, Khadro had seen many people get sick and pass away due to the lack of adequate medical care, including the loss of her brother. She didn’t want others to go through what she had gone through if it could be prevented with the right medical skills and resources.
For Khadro, there wasn’t a clear path to becoming a doctor that she could follow. Her compassion, determination, and resilience shaped each step forward.
- Bridget Sanchez, donor and Latinx Therapist Project's executive director
When Khadro was young, her family fled Somalia in hopes of finding a place they could live that was safe and could open opportunities for a better future. This eventually led them to Fort Morgan, Colorado, where Khadro attended high school and discovered her love for biology.
During high school, Khadro also realized her passion for working with children when she began working summers at Kids at Their Best. Kids at Their Best is a nonprofit that provides youth summer and afterschool programs to build leadership skills and support low-income families. “I was so moved by this program and how closely it relates to my story,” said Khadro.
These combined life experiences led her to pursue the path of becoming a pediatric surgeon.
Khadro is studying Biology at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, and will be graduating in May 2026.
“It is my dream to be a biology major and become a doctor through the educational opportunities at Colorado State University [CSU]. My ultimate goal after I graduate from CSU is to go back to Somalia and work to build hospitals and provide assistance to those who are in need,” says Khadro.
Paying it forward
For Bridget Sanchez, a donor of The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship and executive director at Latinx Therapist Project, stories like Khadro’s drew her to supporting this scholarship.

“I believe that the power of scholarships can be life-changing. It changed the trajectory of my life, and it’s changed the trajectory I see of so many people in the community.”
Like Khadro, Sanchez was a first-generation undergraduate and master’s student. She was familiar with all the unknowns of being the first in a family to go to college and how intimidating it can be, particularly for students coming from low-income households.
Today, Sanchez is a community leader, mental health therapist, and advocate dedicated to addressing mental health disparities within underserved communities.
“As the executive director and founder of the Latinx Therapist Project, she leads efforts to increase the number of Latinx and Spanish-speaking mental health providers, ensuring culturally responsive and accessible care.”
Sanchez learned about The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship through her experience as a grant recipient through the Latinx Therapist Project.
“I was so impressed by The Denver Foundation’s philosophy on grantmaking, and I still am to date. The Denver Foundation has a phenomenal way of supporting grantees,” said Sanchez. “I’ve learned so much through being a grantee that has supported my desire to continue supporting The Denver Foundation.”
At The Denver Foundation, our approach is guided by our commitment to building trusting, collaborative relationships with partners from every segment of our community. We believe that lasting change happens when we listen deeply and elevate the voices and perspectives of our community members.
“I’ve seen the foundation invite community members, and I feel the intentionality behind their work. I want to support that. I want to support an organization that is so grounded in community, and specifically, I want to support scholarships,” said Sanchez.
Reflecting on her education, Sanchez shares, “I’m so thankful for all the donors who gave to the scholarships I was part of. Now, I’m giving back to the community, investing in our next generation, and supporting them.”
The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship
Every contribution, large and small, to The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship creates new opportunities for students like Khadro to learn, lead, and give back. It doesn’t just change one life, it creates ripples that transform families, communities, and futures. Make a donation today.
If you are a fundholder at The Denver Foundation, you can support The Denver Foundation Community Scholarship through your donor-advised fund. If you have any questions, please reach out to your relationship manager or our team at information@denverfoundation.org or 303.300.1790.