A Quarterly Report on Impact: Winter 2025
Dear Community,
At Doull Elementary, we are deeply grateful to the DPS Foundation for their incredible support during this challenging time. Due to the ongoing government shutdown and delays in SNAP benefit processing, many of our families have been facing food insecurity. Thanks to the DPS Foundation’s Food Security Fund, our families recently received grocery gift cards — a lifeline that ensures students have access to nourishing meals. This generosity is truly making a world of difference for so many members of our school community.
We are so appreciative of the DPS Foundation’s tireless efforts to spread the word and rally support. Your compassion and dedication are fueling hope and kindness across Denver.
From all of us at Doull Elementary, thank you for your generosity and standing with our families.
Jo Carrigan
Principal, Doull Elementary
Food Security Fund
On October 31, 2025, the DPS Foundation relaunched the Food Security Fund (originally created in response to the pandemic in 2020) to respond to urgent food access needs facing Denver Public Schools students and families. Since relaunching this fund, the DPS Foundation raised over $150,000 to support DPS schools. Thanks to community support, funds raised were distributed to schools and DPS Community Hubs before the Thanksgiving break, allowing schools to restock shelves and respond quickly to immediate family needs.
One example of this impact can be seen at Hamilton Middle School, where Food Security Fund support helped restock the school’s student pantry with shelf-stable groceries and snacks based on what families needed most.
“This funding made an immediate difference for our students and families,” shared staff member Mallory Spiliotis. “We are so excited about this and know that it will go a long way for our pantry.”
In the Community Spotlight
The Food Security Fund’s rapid response also gained media attention this fall, helping raise awareness of school-level food access needs and the power of community support. Coverage from Chalkbeat, Denver7 (KMGH-TV), FOX31 KDVR / Channel 2 KWGN, CBS News Colorado, and others highlighted how timely contributions supported pantry restocking and connected DPS families to critical food resources.
Food Security Fund Highlights
My Spark Hits Major Milestone
This October, the Denver Public Schools Foundation celebrated a major milestone: more than $1 million was distributed directly to DPS families through our My Spark Denver program since DPS Foundation became the new home for My Spark in August. This program helps eligible middle school students access afterschool and enrichment opportunities that spark curiosity, confidence, and joy. To mark this moment, DPS Foundation hosted a month-long celebration alongside My Spark providers that featured free enrichment experiences, community giveaways, and opportunities for DPS students and families to explore the wide range of programs supported by My Spark.
Through My Spark, eligible families receive up to $1,000 per student to use toward out of school time activities such as arts, sports, STEM, tutoring, and more. To date, the program has served more than 1,020 students and partnered with 187 enrichment providers, expanding access to opportunities that help students thrive beyond the classroom.
The impact of this milestone was felt across the district – in classrooms, on sports fields, and in enrichment spaces where students explored their interests and built confidence.
One DPS parent, Ealasha, shared, “My Spark has given my girls life-changing opportunities to grow, explore, and believe in their potential. It’s more than just a program, it’s a launching pad for their dreams.” For some families, the impact was seen in academics. “Thank you so much. My daughter is improving a lot with math classes,” said Aisha, another DPS parent. For others, it created first-time experiences of belonging and teamwork. DPS parent Lorraine shared, “My daughter had been in volleyball the last few months and she loved it! She was excited for every practice and game and she was so confident!”
To learn more about the October celebration, student experiences, and community giveaways read here.
A Special Event in Support of My Spark
In November, community leaders and supporters gathered for Ignite the Spark: Empowering DPS Students, an intimate fundraising event hosted by DPS Foundation Board Member Marisa Carson, along with Betsy Leonhardt, at Poka Lola Social Club. The evening featured a panel of DPS Foundation team members and a representative from a My Spark provider, Narcy Jackson, Executive Director of Athletics & Beyond. Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, the event raised funds to help expand enrichment access for middle school students across Denver Public Schools.
Colorado Gives Day
This year’s Colorado Gives Day was a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish together. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the DPS Foundation received gifts from over 140 donors, raising a total of nearly $30,000 to support DPS students, educators, and families across Denver Public Schools. This collective support will directly fuel DPS Foundation programs such as classroom grants, DPS Community Hubs, afterschool programming, and other critical initiatives that help remove barriers and expand access to opportunity.
Launching Success for Students with the DPS Launch Internship Program
The DPS Foundation allocated more than $172,000 last year in support of the DPS Launch Internship Program, helping connect 441 students to 476 career-shaping internship opportunities during the 2024–25 school year. This summer, the program also introduced two new immersive learning experiences: the Electric Vehicle (EV) Academy, in partnership with the City of Denver’s Department of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience, and a Renewable Energy Academy offered in both English and Spanish. These academies featured hands-on activities, guest speakers, field trips, and project-based learning designed to expose DPS students to emerging career pathways.
Demand for this impactful program continues to rise, and the DPS Foundation leverages private funding to offer more students the opportunity to participate in these career-shaping internships. Thank you to the following donors for making this possible: Trautman & Shreve, United Airlines, ZOMA Foundation, RBC and Pinnacol Assurance.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
Lizzeth's Story
Lizzeth, a Bruce Randolph School graduate, completed three Launch internships ranging from educational exhibits at Colorado State University Spur to bilingual outreach for a congressional campaign. She faced early challenges navigating new professional environments and shared that she often felt “like a little child speaking with grown-ups” as she worked to build her academic language skills. Through these experiences, she gained confidence, strengthened her communication skills, and built a strong network of mentors and professional connections. Today, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer at Colorado State University.
A to Z Fund
Impact at a Glance
The DPS Foundation’s A to Z Fund funds classroom essentials, hands-on projects, and school initiatives that reduce resource gaps and support student success across the district.
Educator Impact in Action
Darlene Rivera | Emily Griffith High School
Darlene received her first A to Z Fund grant to introduce culturally relevant enrichment programming and materials for student cultural celebrations. The grant also supported academic success by providing access to essential school supplies.
Rainy LaVenture | Cory Elementary
With A to Z Fund support, Rainy expanded experiential learning at Cory Elementary through BPX-sponsored field trips. Students explored new environments and connected classroom learning to real-world experiences.
Stacey Gilmore | Grant Beacon Middle School
Through A to Z Fund support, Stacey and the Grant Beacon Middle School Music Elective Department expanded access to performances and competitions, helping students build creativity, confidence, and personal growth.
Engagement and Volunteerism
Books for Bright Futures
The Howard Family Foundation Book Fair is a donation-based book fair where each participating DPS student receives one new book free of charge. A big thank you to the Howard Family Foundation for making this possible at Force Elementary, so that students have additional books to read at home over the winter break.DPS Foundation in the Community
DPS Foundation team members have been active throughout the Denver community this season, supporting students, families, and partners across the city. Our team joined MSU Denver’s Presidential Luncheon, celebrating 60 years of impact and partnership with Denver Public Schools (top left photo). President & CEO Sara Hazel participated as a panelist at the Colorado Nonprofit Association’s Connecting Colorado Conference (bottom left photo).
DPS Foundation staff members also attended the Colorado Chamber of Commerce’s Coolest Things Made in Colorado Awards (top middle photo), the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Athena Award Luncheon (bottom middle photo), the launch of the inaugural Hancock Heritage Fellowship (top right photo), the 14th Annual Great Education Colorado Luncheon (bottom right photo), and more!
