Statement from our President & CEO
For 100 years, The Denver Foundation has supported the community we serve when it needed us most, and our neighbors need us now. Our role as a community foundation has always been to bring people together and to protect and support all our neighbors. At this inflection point in our history, the foundation will continue to serve as a beacon, working to inspire hope in everyone who calls this place home. Throughout our history, we have been guided by shared values of respect, dignity, inclusion, and a spirit of collective good. These values have been at the core of our work for the past century and are embedded in our nation’s history. As we look to our next 100 years, the foundation reaffirms our commitment to these values as we endeavor to create a community where everyone can thrive.
Supporting our immigrant neighbors in 2024
In 2024, our funding to support immigrant communities primarily focused on legal aid, nonprofit operational support, and policy and advocacy. Additionally, our donors contributed $1.67 million through donor-advised funds to support immigrant and refugee organizations in 2024. Given today’s uncertain climate, we will continue to coordinate and strategize with our partners – community members, nonprofits, and donors– to support our neighbors and invest in immigrant communities. We believe that we can work together to where all of us, no matter where we are from, have the opportunity to thrive, and where our community benefits.
Civic Fabric Fund awards $267,250 to 13 nonprofits working on local and state policy
In 2024, The Denver Foundation awarded $267,250 to 13 organizations working to advance and implement local and state policy change in alignment with the foundation’s policy principles. In 2022, the foundation funded nine organizations and partnered with them to advance policy change at the local and state levels. In 2024, we are proud to continue funding those same nine institutional policy partners and award grants to four additional organizations. We recognize the increasing importance of funding in sustaining the work of organizations leading campaigns to advance systems change through policy advocacy and implementation, which is why we established the Civic Fabric Fund in 2021.
The Denver Foundation 2024 Ballot Guide
The Denver Foundation is excited that voters supported many of its ballot measures positions. These ballot questions aimed to further the economic stability of our community, the health care needs of all who call this place home, and the educational achievement of our young people. While some of these local ballot measures, specifically those aimed at addressing housing affordability, were not successful, we are committed to continuing the work needed to advocate for resources to address our region’s affordable housing needs.
The Denver Foundation, Axios Denver, and Next50 host ballot measure event
In October, we co-hosted a ballot measure education event with Axios Denver and Next50 Foundation. This event was a fantastic way for those interested in the major issues impacting the 2024 election to hear from the experts. The event was held at The Denver Press Club on October 8.
Civic Fabric Fund supports nonprofits working to Get-Out-The-Vote
As the November election approaches, voters will be making significant policy choices that will impact their communities for decades to come. The Denver Foundation is excited for the opportunity for voters to act and make decisions that will reflect not only shifts in systems, but also how to invest in the creation of communities’ most important needs – health care, education, affordable housing, and local government services. We look forward to sharing our positions on ballot measures in the upcoming weeks.
Ways to Engage: Leading & Learning Focus on the 2024 Legislative Session
We were thrilled that Majority Leader Monica Duran and Senator Byron Pelton joined us to discuss the 2024 legislative session. It was a wonderful conversation about how collaboration led to many of the sessions successes and what they both expect to see during this November’s election.
2024 Policy Positions
The Denver Foundation is proud to lend our voice to important issues that impact our community. Every year, we engage in policy proposals at the local and state level in the areas of economic opportunity, education, environment, housing, and transportation, and at the federal level on issues that the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. This year, there are several exciting policy proposals that will keep residents safe and healthy at home, preserve affordable housing options, and promote free transit during ozone season.
Lessons learned from Foundations on the Hill
This year, I was honored and inspired by all I learned at Foundations on the Hill, the largest annual public policy and advocacy conference dedicated solely to the philanthropic center, held in Washington, D.C., in March. This policy conference is an opportunity for philanthropic staff to meet with members of their congressional delegation to discuss timely policy proposals impacting the sector.
40 Under 40: Naomi Amaha
On March 7, we celebrated Naomi Amaha who was recognized as one of Denver’s 40 under 40. Naomi, our director of policy and government affairs, joined a rock star group of professionals making a difference in our community. She has accomplished so much in such a short period of time and we are very fortunate to have this brilliant and talented woman on our team.
We support legislation to protect tenants from unsafe housing
Senators Julie Gonzales (D-34) and Tony Exum Sr. (D-11) and Representatives Meg Froelich (D-03) and Mandy Lindsay (D-42)’s legislation to protect tenants in Colorado and ensure that they have safe and healthy living conditions, Senate Bill 24-094, passed out of the Senate by a 21-13-1 vote. This legislation would ensure tenants can easily use the state’s current Warranty of Habitability Law to protect them from hazardous living conditions.
What They’re Saying: Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0
The Polis administration released an updated Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0. This important plan lays out a set of near-term actions to reduce emissions across economic sectors and create key new pathways to assist in reaching Gov. Polis’ ambitious goals of cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in half by 2030, and moving toward net-zero GHG pollution in Colorado by 2050.
The Denver Foundation urges action on housing crisis
“Affordable housing is essential to our communities’ well-being. We look forward to working with the legislature and the Governor to advocate for land use policies that protect our neighbors from displacement and increase access to affordable housing, particularly for those with the lowest incomes,” said Naomi Amaha, Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs of The Denver Foundation.
The Denver Foundation is running the fund for one of the mayor’s biggest housing initiatives
On behalf of the City and County of Denver, The Denver Foundation is hosting the All In Mile High Fund, a fund to support the temporary housing resources and wraparound services offered to those experiencing unsheltered homelessness in our city.
Our bike tour visited all 78 Denver neighborhoods and sparked innovative changes
In 2019, our CEO Javier Alberto Soto started the bike tour as a way to get to know the community, to listen and learn about the challenges and goals of each of Denver’s unique neighborhoods. Last fall, we reached a major milestone biking through all 78 Denver neighborhoods!
November elections are right around the corner, we have you covered!
On November 2023, voters in Colorado had the opportunity to vote on two ballot measures on state issues. The Denver Foundation believes a core component of the Metro Region’s civic fabric is voter engagement and ensuring individuals have the tools to be informed voters. We believe everyone should vote and ensure their voices are represented.
Our staff help new mayor set vision for Denver
Mayor Mike Johnston’s transition committees included two people from The Denver Foundation. Naomi Amaha, the director of policy and government affairs sat on Mayor Johnston’s Climate Adaption, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) transition committee, and Dr. Janet Lopez, our senior director of policy, partnerships, and learning was selected to serve on the Migrants and Immigration transition committee.
We hosted an open house for Denver’s elected officials
The Denver Foundation hosted an open house with civic leaders to celebrate the work ahead. Leaders from the Denver City Council, Mayor Mike Johnston’s office, the Colorado State Legislature, and Senators Bennet’s and Hickenlooper’s offices were all present.
Place-Based Policy
As Denver’s population grows and changes, it’s critical that the city’s policies and practices change as well. The Denver Foundation and our donors are engaging in shaping those policies and practices to ensure that everyone has a home.
Ways to Engage: Leading & Learning Focus on the 2023 Legislative Session
Throughout the 2023 legislative session, The Denver Foundation took positions on several policy proposals. We were thrilled that Senator Julie Gonzales and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer joined us to discuss the session.
2023 Policy Positions
The Denver Foundation spoke up about several ballot measures that impacted Climate and Environment, Economic Opportunity, and Housing.
Denver municipal election run-off June 6: Resources to help you prepare to vote!
This is an exciting time as April 4th approaches. Ballots are in the mail, and voters in the City and County of Denver have the opportunity to select the leaders that will set the vision and take action to tackle many pressing issues impacting our community.
The Denver Foundation joins partners to host mayoral forum
After a crowded race for the Denver mayoral seat, Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston moved on to a runoff election. The seat is one of the most powerful roles in the City and County of Denver, which is why we decided to host a mayoral forum. Not a debate, but a thoughtful discourse about the issues that matter most to our communities.
