Conversations around change aren’t easy. This is something Jeff S. Fard, also known in the community as brother jeff, isn’t new to. As a multimedia journalist, historian, and community organizer, he’s often engaging in these conversations with youth, students, social organizations, and professionals.
In 1994, he founded brother jeff’s Cultural Center—located in the historic Five Points District in Northeast Denver—a space committed to fostering growth, strength, and voice in the community. Prior to opening the Cultural Center, brother jeff had organized grassroots efforts for years, creating safe spaces for individuals to come to express themselves through poetry, mentorships, and cultural arts during a time when a lot of drugs and violence were permeating Northeast Denver.
His work at brother jeff’s Cultural Center to reduce disproportionate HIV and AIDS rates in Black communities connected him with The Denver Foundation, which supported the effort through our Strengthening Neighborhoods program. The philosophy between Strengthening Neighborhoods and brother jeff’s Cultural Center went hand in hand. Both centered around seeing strengths within a community, investing in those strengths, and supporting community-led solutions.
In 2000, brother jeff joined the Strengthening Neighborhoods Committee, and later, in 2003, he joined The Denver Foundation’s board, serving as chair from 2006 to 2007.
Pushing beyond the status quo
Like his work in the community, brother jeff’s work with The Denver Foundation focused on expanding inclusivity. “From a leadership standpoint, my goal is to see how many voices we can get into the conversation without excluding individuals’ points of view, worldviews, and understanding,” said brother jeff.
brother jeff recalls how those early conversations around inclusivity weren’t easy. It meant doing things differently, which not everyone was quick to adopt. Some were more invested in how philanthropy had traditionally operated. “There were those who were saying that perhaps The Denver Foundation is not where I want to place my time because I’m more invested in how things are and were. And we wrestled with a lot of that,” said brother jeff when reflecting back on his time on the board.
But to close the gap between disparities in food access, child care, education, health and safety, everyone must be included. “The Denver Foundation is the glue in terms of making sure we have a greater understanding of one another, and that’s what community is about. That’s what society is about—everyone working together,” said brother jeff.
“The Denver Foundation was the driving force around what inclusivity even means from an organizational standpoint, and how it was infused into organizations around the Denver Metro area.” As board chair, brother jeff helped lead critical diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including our Inclusiveness Project. This project financially supported community organizations to train and recruit more staff who reflected their communities but might not have traditionally recognized professional qualifications.
Inclusivity has always been core to The Denver Foundation’s work, and brother jeff helped put it into the organization’s charter and make it a clear, driving force. “Under The Denver Foundation’s leadership, you see a lot more participation from those who are displaced and those who are not able to participate,” said brother jeff.
“What makes The Denver Foundation special is what makes humanity special—individuals who are willing to give their time, their treasure, their expertise, their resources to shape a world where everyone can live in, and enjoy a particular quality of life. That's what's beautiful about The Denver Foundation. It's the people, it's the spirit, it's the intent, and it's the dedication to work on issues that matter.”
- brother jeff
“If you look at the tenure of the board chair of The Denver Foundation, you will see an array of leadership, including myself. I wasn’t the first black to be a board chair, but I was the first black Muslim to be a board chair of The Denver Foundation.”
In 1925, our original Distribution Committee, now called the Board of Trustees, consisted of six people, one of whom was Emily Griffith. At that time, it was unusual for a woman to be on the board of a major civic or professional organization. Emily Griffith was a leader in our community, and her leadership helped set the tone for The Denver Foundation for the next century.
“Because inclusivity is at its core, you can see that The Denver Foundation has expanded. It has grown, and it’s become more vibrant because it’s more inclusive of more differences,” said brother jeff, adding that this growth is evidence that diversity and inclusion are more the way of the world than a novel idea.
The dynamics of true community partnerships
As a deeply committed community organizer and grantee, a committee and board member, and a fundholder at The Denver Foundation, brother jeff has played a critical role in building upon and strengthening the foundation’s presence in the community, not just as a funder, but as a true partner.
“What separates The Denver Foundation is its ability to listen, hear the desires of the community, and take on challenging issues that other organizations might step away from,” said brother jeff. “They stay connected to grantees from the vantage point of who they are and what they want, as opposed to what others want them to be. They’re working in partnerships with organizations, not just giving money.”
brother jeff’s contributions stand in a long line of neighborhood advocates, nonprofit leaders, educators, caregivers, youth, and local leaders who, for 100 years, have shaped the foundation, ensuring its impact is rooted in the community engagement that has guided it for generations.
For 100 years, The Denver Foundation has connected generosity to impact. The transformative gifts we’ve received and grants we’ve distributed over time represent the various people, organizations, and ideas that have shaped our communities.
This story is part of our 100th series, highlighting how, together, we are building a stronger, thriving Metro Denver, Colorado, and beyond.
