Honoring two outstanding businesses for their work in supporting a Denver Public School
New this year, the School Partners Program has recognized two outstanding businesses for their work in supporting a Denver Public School. The winning companies, 2014 Achieve Gala, the DPS Foundation’s annual fundraiser, which raised more than $860,000 in support of Denver Public Schools. Each business received an engraved trophy and $500 grant designated to their Partner school.
“There is no question that public private partnership is an incredibly powerful thing,” says Lt. Gov Joe Garcia. I am so very grateful to the generous business community in Denver that knows the difference they can make when they engage as part of the solution in our schools. I want to thank ALL of the active DPS School Partners. You are leading by example with your commitment to our students.”
The 2014 Legacy Partner of the Year was awarded to KPMG, the audit, tax and advisory firm, for its outstanding and long-term commitment to the School Partners Program. Through KPMG’s Family for Literacy program, the firm’s Denver office has partnered with Barnum and Barrett Elementary Schools since 2008, conducting regular book readings and donating almost 20,000 books to DPS students. “KPMG is committed to improving education in our country, especially for children in need,” says Denver Managing Partner Mike Bearup. “We feel fortunate we are able to distribute books to children in Denver Public Schools, helping to combat illiteracy and instilling a love of reading.”
Della Moore and Julie Bearup accepting the School Partners Program Legacy Partner of the Year Award on behalf of KPMG from Lt. Governor Garcia, DPS Foundation President and CEO Kristin Colon and Mile High United Way CEO and DPS Foundation board member Christine Benero.
The 2014 Newcomer Partner of the Year was awarded to national financial services provider, TIAA-CREF for its multi-faceted partnership with Bruce Randolph High School. In their first year of partnership TIAA-CREF has donated more than 2,500 employee volunteer hours and almost $45,000 in in-kind and financial contributions to Bruce Randolph School. “Very few organizations have demonstrated the level of commitment that TIAA-CREF has shown to the students and families at Bruce and the impact has been felt throughout our entire building,” says Brian L. Tarver, Community Engagement Specialist. “TIAA-CREF is devoted to education, and we believe it’s our duty to make a positive impact on our community,” said Ray Bellucci, Denver-based senior managing director for institutional client solutions at TIAA-CREF. “We are excited to collaborate with MSU Denver and the Denver Public Schools Foundation to ensure Bruce Randolph students have the tools they need to succeed in school and in the future.”
Ray Bellucci accepting the School Partners Program Newcomer Partner of the Year Award on behalf of TIAA-CREF from Lt. Governor Garcia, DPS Foundation President and CEO Kristin Colon and Mile High United Way CEO and DPS Foundation board member Christine Benero
The School Partners Program creates meaningful alliances between Denver’s community and Denver Public Schools. Through this unique program, local businesses and community organizations (big and small) team up with specific DPS schools to contribute to the success of every DPS student. To be considered a School Partner, a business must commit to a minimum of four activities with their school each year.
Congratulations to our two outstanding award winners KPMG and TIAA-CREF! Both exemplify the very heart of what we hope to accomplish with our School Partners Program. “School Partners are contributing to the students, families and educators in their partner schools in truly meaningful ways,” says Kristin Heath Colon, President and CEO of the DPS Foundation. “The efforts of these companies are having an impact on the culture in our schools, and on the success of our students. We’re proud to have over fifty school partnerships currently active in our elementary, middle and high schools. Our goal is to have every school in DPS – all 186 of them – matched up with a School Partner. Our challenge to the community is to learn more and enlist their business or organization today” says Kristin Heath Colon.
The School Partners Program is a collaboration between the Denver Public Schools Foundation, Mile High United Way and Denver Public Schools. The program creates tailor-made programs between schools and businesses or community organizations to help every DPS student succeed. School Partners provide a combination of volunteer time, in-kind contributions and financial resources to meet the specific needs of their partner school.
Businesses or organizations interested in becoming engaged with Denver Public Schools are encouraged to contact the DPS Foundation at (720) 423-3553. The DPS Foundation can help direct your support – financial, volunteer, in-kind or otherwise – to have the greatest impact on DPS students. Learn more at www.dpsfoundation.org.