Dear Community,
A Quarterly Report on Impact: Summer 2025
Dear Community,
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Denver Public Schools Foundation for its generous support of our students and educators. College View Elementary is incredibly grateful to have received funding from the DPS Foundation’s A to Z Fund, which enabled us to purchase LEGO Education kits for our Kindergarten through 5th grade students. These kits, complete with materials, lesson plans, and a coding app, have become a valuable part of our weekly enrichment block we call “CREW Day”– Creativity, Respect, Energy, and Wonder!
The support from the DPS Foundation has made a meaningful difference—boosting teacher confidence, increasing student engagement, and contributing to stronger academic outcomes. We are deeply grateful for your continued investment in our students and school community.
– Joey Denoncourt, Principal, College View Elementary School
Achieve Gala 2025
Our Achieve Gala took place on April 18, where we celebrated A Showcase of Student Leaders, Innovators, and Change-Makers in front of a record breaking number of attendees. Thank you to all of our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor, Chevron for making this night possible. Together we raised more than $945,000 in support of DPS students!
This funding will help ensure the well-being of our students is prioritized, while providing DPS educators and families with the resources they need to succeed. The Achieve Gala is a powerful reminder of the talent within our students and the strength of our community when we come together to celebrate them.
The evening was led by two student emcees, Savannah and Levi (pictured at left), both senior students from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College. Savannah shared how her DPS teachers inspired her to be a change-maker and how she is currently an active member of the district podcast, Black Voices in Color. Levi shared how he gained confidence and found a love for public speaking through speech and debate, thanks to educator support. Thanks to our donors, the funds raised at the gala allow the DPS Foundation to continue supporting students like Savannah and Levi, through initiatives such as our A to Z Fund, Student Grantmaking Program, and more.
A to Z Fund Hits Incredible Milestone
The Denver Public Schools Foundation is celebrating a huge milestone — directing more than $3 million to Denver classrooms since 2006 through our A to Z Fund! When educators have the tools they need, we all benefit. The DPS Foundation is proud to stand behind educators by supporting the experiences and resources that make learning come alive. During the second cycle of the 2024-25 school year alone, we awarded nearly $173,500 in funding, directly impacting 17,329 DPS students!
DPS Foundation’s Media Sponsor, Denver7, and news anchor Nicole Brady recently joined us at College View Elementary to spotlight the incredible impact our community is making for Denver students, educators, and families. Click here to watch the full story and see how far we’ve come — together!
Community Hubs GED Program
Earlier this month, Denver Public Schools celebrated 55 individuals who received their GED this school year with the support of GED preparation classes offered at the Community Hubs.
The Community Hubs provide preparation courses for General Educational Development (GED) testing to Spanish-speaking, low-income individuals and families in Denver. Offered in English and Spanish, participants attend classes and receive access to resources, including weekly tutoring to support their ability to pass the general knowledge tests in Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
This free program is an essential part of holistically meeting community needs and supporting multi-generational family systems. The GED program at the Community Hubs has been generously supported by the U.S. Bank Foundation and the Western Union Foundation.
DPS STEAM Expo Poetry Book
The Denver Public Schools STEAM Expo is a vibrant event that showcases student creativity and innovation through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). This annual celebration, held earlier this month at CSU Spur, highlights students from across the district as they share projects, participate in hands-on activities, and demonstrate how STEAM can be a catalyst for meaningful change.
DPS Foundation attended this year’s STEAM Expo to help celebrate the launch of the new DPS Poetry Book, made possible by an A to Z Fund grant. The project was revived by Pete Fey, DPS Library Services Coordinator, after a hiatus. Students from all over the district shared their original poems in front of a full and enthusiastic audience!
Panic at the Spelling
by Missy Nelson, 5th Grade, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy K-5
It was just a regular Monday.
until I heard my teacher declare,
“We’ll have a spelling test every Friday!”
Which made me sink deep in my chair.
My heart was filled with fear,
Oh no, I was bad at spelling.
So bad I shed a tear,
Fat chance I’ll be excelling.
I have to study all night,
I just don’t have the time.
My face went excessively white;
I can’t even think of a rhyme.
Four days is not enough;
Time will certainly be tight.
Studying is going to be rough,
Do you think I’ll do aLriTe?
Corporate Service Days
The DPS Foundation recently hosted two service days at DPS schools in partnership with IMA Financial Group and Janus Henderson Investors! More than 100 IMA volunteers came together at Centennial: A School for Expeditionary Learning for a meaningful day of service. Volunteers revitalized the school garden, painted the blacktop, and assisted teachers with a variety of classroom and facility projects—both big and small.
Janus Henderson employees brought fresh energy to Barnum Elementary. They painted the blacktop, built new picnic tables, and helped spruce up the school grounds—just in time for the school’s Field Day, where students enjoyed their brighter, more colorful playground. One special volunteer even returned as a proud Barnum alum!
Impact by the Numbers
Speaking Events Featuring DPS Foundation
We’re proud to share that DPS Foundation President & CEO, Sara Hazel, was invited to deliver the keynote address at this year’s Institute for Leaders in Development (ILD) graduation ceremony at the University of Denver! Marking this milestone with inspiration and insight, Sara shared, “ILD is not only a learning journey, it’s a launchpad. ILD is about fundraising —but it’s also about community. In a world where relationships matter more than ever, that’s a strength you now carry with you. Nurture these connections. Stay in touch. Collaborate. Cheer each other on.”
As a City Year Board Member, Sara also delivered remarks at the reception for City Year Denver’s Rock the Red Jacket event, highlighting the importance of this work for both our students and the broader community. She emphasized the vital role City Year AmeriCorps members play in helping students build meaningful connections within their school communities and stay engaged in their learning journeys.
Lastly, Sara continued to be a powerful voice for education, equity, and community when she was asked to speak at City Year’s graduation. She shared, “Say yes. Yes to building relationships—those are the moments that can change everything. Your next step, your next connection, could lead to something extraordinary.”
Through events like these, Sara uplifts students and educators alike, reminding them of their potential to lead, serve, and transform lives.
DPS Foundation in the Community
DPS Foundation team members have been busy spending time out in the Denver community as the 2024-25 school year wraps up, including (pictured in order of listing left to right, top to bottom) the Career & College Success Career Development Partnership Breakfast, the Mile High United Way Luncheon, the Women Powering Change Expo, the Colorado Rockies pre-game ceremony, the Girls Inc. My Bold Future event, City Year Denver’s Rock the Red Jacket event, the East High School Greenhouse Tour, the United Airlines/Good 360 Hygiene Kit Build, and the Reach Out and Read Colorado event.
