Courageous, talented, promising Samantha Lobato

A sold-out crowd of 1,200 supporters attended Achieve Gala 2012, and nearly $900,000 was raised to support DPS students and schools. We raised $83,000 through individual gifts made on the night of the event – a new record for the DPS Foundation! The entire program was a tribute to the power and potential of the 81,000 students in Denver Public Schools, and  Samantha Lobato is a shining example of how community support is helping DPS graduate our next generation of leaders.

Thank you, Samantha, for sharing your journey with 1,200 people and be the inspiration you are for students, teachers, supporters and the whole community of Denver Public Schools.

Please learn how you too can be a breakthrough for many students at Denver Public Schools.

#2: National Recognition for a Generous Community of Support

Thanks to supporters like you, the DPS Foundation has been named the #2 education foundation in the U.S., according to a national survey released by Tampa-based dewey & associates. Read the full story.

So what does this mean? We interpret it as a clear indicator of the community’s investment in and commitment to our students and schools. It means that Denver is a national leader in driving private support into public schools. It illustrates that while there is still much work to be done, the community is rallying around the progress in DPS. Thanks to your partnership, the DPS Foundation is helping provide the resources and support needed to see more progress, faster progress, and brighter futures for the children of Denver.

“We are honored and humbled to learn of this recognition,” said DPS Foundation President and CEO Kristin Heath Colon. “Our greatest hope is that an increasing number of folks will choose to join us in this important work, and that as a result, we can bolster and accelerate the great progress in our schools.”

“I am incredibly proud of the DPS Foundation for this much-deserved recognition,” said DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg. “The Foundation’s tireless work and commitment to Denver’s children is the backbone of our community’s support. This support offers much-needed resources to help us offer students access to the programs that are helping to close the achievement gap.”

 

Read the full story here, and link to local news coverage of the announcement. Our deepest gratitude to the generous supporters who make this work possible. On behalf of the 81,000 DPS students who benefit from your commitment every day – thank you.

Team DPS was a huge success!

The DPS Foundation would like to thank the generous DPS employees for helping us raise more than $50,000 for our second Team DPS Employee Giving campaign. Since Team DPS’ inception in 2010, DPS employees have contributed more than $100,000 to support our students, classrooms and schools!

The success of this campaign is a testament to the extraordinary commitment of the DPS employee community – even as they already contribute so much to ensure the success of their students. The money raised will help provide:

Thank you for your support on Colorado Gives Day

The DPS Foundation is pleased to announce that we raised more than $25,000 from the generous community on Colorado Gives Day! We are so grateful to the committed supporters who invested in the children of our community and helped break the Colorado Gives Day record by generating more than $12 million for non-profit organizations statewide.

Thank you very much for your support and participation, which continues to enrich the lives of our students. Your gift will translate into tangible, lasting resources and opportunities for Denver’s students.

While Colorado Gives Day was a tremendous success, the need in Denver Public Schools is still great. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to the Denver Public Schools Foundation before December 31st. Make a secure, online donation now, or read about other giving vehicles.

A to Z Fund Classroom Grants: going above and beyond for DPS students

Oakland Elementary School students enjoyed new books thanks to the A to Z Fund.

Biology. Financial education. Field Trips. Instruments. Libraries. Software.

When it comes to giving Denver Public School students the education they deserve, the sky is the limit. That’s why the DPS Foundation started the A to Z Fund - to provide materials and opportunities that fall outside classroom budgets, but have a lasting impact on curious young learners. From aspiring Astronauts to Zoologists. And everything in between.

The A to Z Fund has granted more than $700,000 since 2006, providing new classroom technology, funding for field trips and competition travel, new musical instruments, books and much more. This school year alone, the A to Z Fund provided grants to 60 schools in DPS. As a result, thousands of students have had access to enriching programs and opportunities.