2025 was marked by major milestones, record-breaking grantmaking, and exceptional generosity. Not to mention the celebration of a century.
Together, The Denver Foundation and our partners…
1 …gave back in big ways.
Our donor-advised funds had their most generous year ever. As of December 19, donors gave more than $130 million to the community. That’s a 32% increase from donor-advised fund giving in 2024.
Our own grantmaking programs had a big year as well.
This year marked our largest Community Grants Program grantmaking to date, with $6.1 million awarded to nonprofits.
It was our first year to include the expanded priority area of youth well-being, which includes youth mental health. We funded 150 organizations, including 28 dedicated to youth mental health, this year.
Through our Critical Needs Fund, we awarded $450,000 in grants to organizations addressing pressing community issues, including support for our immigrant neighbors and food for the community during SNAP benefit delays caused by the federal government shutdown. People throughout the community, and our fundholders, collectively contributed more than $372,000 to make this funding possible.
To celebrate our 100th anniversary, we supported community projects, including support for La Raza Park in the Sunnyside neighborhood, free days at the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Jurassic Oceans exhibit at Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and a new playground structure at the Denver Zoo’s Wild Village.
2 ….launched our Centennial Campaign, an ambitious effort to raise $100 million in endowed funds for our 100th year.
Through endowed funds, we can ensure the work we do together doesn’t just last for decades, it lasts forever. This campaign is a promise to future generations. You can join us by giving to our Centennial Campaign. A gift of any size creates support for your community today and into the future. Give today.
Fundholders can reach out to their relationship managers to give.
3 …invited the community to discuss important issues and to celebrate our 100th anniversary.
Dr. Tyrone McKinley Freeman, an award-winning scholar and educator, spoke about the long legacy of Black philanthropy during our Diversity Dialogue. Dr. M Jackson, a climate scientist, National Geographic explorer, and storyteller, opened our Climate Collaboration event, which was followed by a panel of local organizations working in the environmental space across the private sector, conservation, policy advocacy, and community organizing.
At our first 100th event – Mental Health Matters, researcher and author, Dr. Jean Twenge, shared her research findings on how cultural influences have changed across generations, and how technology and social media are impacting younger generations.
And we gathered with friends, partners, and community members, to raise a glass, connect, learn, and celebrate 100 years of impact.
4 … responded to new needs.
Our community faced growing challenges this year due to federal funding cuts and ongoing uncertainty that threatened essential programs and services.
We asked our partners, including nonprofits, donors, and our Advisory Committee for Community Impact, how we could help. By listening, we were able to collaborate with nonprofits and be responsive to the new complexities and unpredictability of their work.
In response, we funded legal support for nonprofits affected by federal funding cuts and executive orders, and career services for people in the social sector whose jobs were impacted.
We expanded Capacity Building grants to include scenario planning and supported policy coalitions through our Civic Fabric Fund. We also hosted various events to bring nonprofits and donors together, creating space to learn from one another and build community.
5 …supported a record number of students through Reisher Scholars Programs.
Nearly $10 million in scholarships supported 712 Reisher scholars in the 2025-2026 academic year, reaching the largest number of scholars to date.
Along with financial support, Reisher scholars had access to a full year of free mental health services, and Reisher alumni became eligible for a new Graduate School Scholarship launched in 2025, with a total of $805,000 awarded to 83 graduate students.
The Reisher network also grew through new partnerships with universities and scholarship providers across the state. These new partnerships include the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Mountain College, and six Colorado scholarship providers that received $3 million through a unique funding opportunity to expand opportunities for students.
6 … grew our giving circle community and impact.
We supported the launch of two new circles: LGBTQ+ Giving Circle and Native Futures Collective. These are some of the first LGBTQ+ and Indigenous giving circles in Colorado. In their first year, LGBTQ+ Giving Circle raised $38,000 and Native Futures Collective raised $25,000. LGBTQ+ Giving Circle also granted $16,000 to eight organizations.
Three circles also launched endowed funds this year, including (DAAP), LatinasGive! and Latinos (LIFT). These endowed funds create a dedicated source of long-term funding, allowing these circles to support our community today and for future generations. Giving circles help democratize philanthropy, welcoming people of all giving levels to the power of giving.
7 …strengthened our sustainability commitments.
This year, we advanced from bronze to silver-level recognition for our operational sustainability efforts as part of the Colorado Green Business Network. We made a significant push to transition to paperless fund statements, which now account for 91% of all fund advisor statements. Switching to paperless statements reduces our environmental impact by saving trees, reducing pollution, and paper waste.
8 …welcomed a dozen new agency fundholders.
Through both endowed and non-endowed funds, we’re helping organizations meet their long-term and immediate needs. These organizations reflect a breadth of missions across our community, from animal welfare to education to arts, and more. Their decision to partner with us is a meaningful reminder that when organizations are supported with the right tools and trust, they can focus on what they do best for the community.
9 …engaged and activated people to vote and learn about key ballot issues.
We sponsored an event with Axios Denver to discuss the 2025 local ballot issues, including the city’s proposed bond package—Vibrant Denver Bond, supported get-out-the-vote efforts, and we also created a digital 2025 ballot guide that was visited by 2,600+ people.
10 …supported work to ensure local residents benefit from the women’s soccer stadium and the new Broncos stadium.
We funded training sessions and technical assistance to help residents and local business owners understand what a Community Benefits Agreement is, how they can get involved, and why their voices matter in these major development projects that are going to transform our city. This work was supported through Strengthening Neighborhoods, our Capacity Building Fund, and the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity’s (DEDO) Community Support Mini-Grants and Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund.
2025 was a hard year. Our sector faced many challenges that threatened, and continue to threaten, the essential programs and services our communities rely on. It was also a year that marked a significant milestone for us. A milestone that reminds us of the resilience and strength of our community. And in 2025, we saw that shine through. Time and time again, we saw people show up for each other in big and small ways. Thank you for your support of The Denver Foundation, and we will continue to stand with you in 2026 and beyond.
