A night of generosity
Thanks to everyone who came together to celebrate our 100th anniversary at the Denver Art Museum in November.
We heard from leaders of our community — including Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Katie MacWilliams, fundholder and former trustee, and President and CEO, Javier Alberto Soto.
The event celebrated everyone throughout our history who’s made this work possible. Everyone who’s given their time, expertise, connections, and gifts to help others. “The story of The Denver Foundation is your story,” said Javier Alberto Soto, President and CEO of The Denver Foundation, during his remarks.
Our founders came together one hundred years ago with a shared vision to create a “community chest”- an endowment- that would grow and support the community forever.
Since then, we have given $1.5 billion in grants to our nonprofit partners supporting the people and places where we live. Thousands of donors and fundholders have been a part of this legacy, supporting tens of thousands of organizations that are leading efforts to strengthen our community. So many people contributed to this movement for 100 years.
And we’re not done yet.
The big announcement
While the event celebrated the community’s impact since our founding in 1925, it was also about the next 100 years.
We announced our Centennial Campaign, which aims to raise $100 million in endowed funds, ensuring we make an even greater impact over the next century. These resources will support our efforts to give back to Colorado nonprofits next year and beyond.
Help us shape the next 100 years by giving to the campaign.
During Soto’s remarks, he shared how The Denver Foundation has always been at the center of the conversation throughout the major moments we’ve faced during our 100-year history.
He shared how we stepped in during the Great Depression in the 1930s, providing funds to support youth centers, community centers, boards of education, and children without parental care. And he shared how we are stepping in today, as 600,000 Coloradans lost their food assistance (SNAP) benefits, we are working with the mayor, our generous donors, and other organizations to give to the Food Bank of the Rockies and other food banks and food assistance programs.
We don’t know what future needs may arise, but we want to give the next generation of leaders the resources to meet whatever challenges they face.
Event Highlights
After Soto made the big announcement next to MacWilliams, Centennial Campaign Chair, the evening continued with music, art, and connection.
We heard music from Adam Bodine Quartet and DJ CYN. We admired art from the Indigenous Arts of North America Galleries and live painting by artist Kelsey Shields. We enjoyed tastings from LAWS Whiskey House. And we extended our gratitude to our sponsors, the Thiry-O’Leary Foundation, First Western Trust, Jay’s Valet, and PBS12. Thank you to the Denver Art Museum for hosting us.
Above all, we celebrated our community.
Photo credit: Amanda Tipton Photography | @amandatiptonphotography
Learn more about our Centennial Campaign
A gift of any size to The Denver Foundation’s Centennial Campaign means you can support the critical issues of Denver today, and forever.
To learn more about the other ways you can get involved with the campaign, contact information@denverfoundation.org.
