At the Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that for our students to thrive, our educators must have adequate support both in the school building and inside the classroom. Today, I am honored to share a reflection on one of our most cherished legacy programs as 2026 marks twenty years of impact with our A to Z Fund Classroom Grants for Teachers.
Originally established in 2006 as Jerry’s Fund to honor the visionary leadership of former superintendent Dr. Jerry Wartgow, this initiative was born from a long-term endowment at The Denver Foundation. Over the last two decades, that vision has blossomed into the A to Z Fund—a vital resource that now supports 30,000 students annually. We have directed more than $3.4M to classrooms, with more than 555,000 students realizing the impact.
The A to Z Fund is more than just a grant program, it is a direct investment in equity. We know that our educators often spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to subsidize field trips or purchase materials because they want their students to excel. While their generosity is inspiring, it isn’t a sustainable solution. By offering funding to all schools, the A to Z Fund lessens the burden on our teachers and ensures that every student has access to high-quality, engaging learning opportunities that fall outside of limited school budgets.
Over the years, while the world has changed, the core needs of our educators have remained constant. They continue to seek funding for essential classroom materials, transformative field trips, and unique experiences that help kids realize their full potential. We hear the impact of these grants every day:
- “This funding transformed what was possible for our gifted learners. With access to hands-on STEM tools, creative materials, and real-world learning experiences, our students not only deepened their academic skills but also grew in confidence, curiosity, and connection. It’s been incredible to see them light up with excitement and take ownership of their learning. This grant didn’t just support projects—it helped us build a stronger, more inspired community of learners.” – Verna Rolland, Gifted & Talented Coordinator, French American School of Denver
- “This is my 14th year receiving the A to Z grant for After School Book Clubs. (One student shared) how book club changed him as a reader, but more importantly as a person. He felt that the books we read helped him understand the world around us. This is why I do this.” – Kyle Kimmal, Denver Language School at Gilpin
From supporting mental health initiatives at Bear Valley International School for their One Yeti, One Roar program, to providing culturally responsive support at McGlone Academy to expand access to Native American music and Spanish language texts, and vital afterschool program support at Samuels Elementary for their “Let Me Run” program, this fund meets our students exactly where they are.
As we celebrate 20 years of this incredible legacy, we also recognize a sobering reality: funding requests from our schools increase year after year. While we are heartened that more educators are aware of this resource, it reminds us that the needs of our schools continually grow.
We must keep up this great work to ensure the A to Z Fund remains a cornerstone of DPS Foundation for another 20+ years. Thank you for being the community members who galvanize and mobilize alongside us to invest in the success of our students.
For all of our students,
Sara Hazel
President & CEO, DPS Foundation
