Since 2007, Rose Community Foundation has brought together diverse, talented and community-minded Jewish young adults to learn and give together and make a difference in the Greater Denver community.

Roots & Branches Foundation members begin their collaborative philanthropic journey by participating in a seven-month program where they explore Jewish values, learn about community issues, and put the tools of strategic philanthropy to work, ultimately granting up to $50,000 together. Joining Roots & Branches means becoming part of the next generation of funders at Rose Community Foundation and joining a network of alumni who continue to gather to celebrate holidays, volunteer and make new connections.  

Becoming a Member

All members should identify as Jewish and be between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. You do not need to be of a certain income level, wealth status or earning potential. We welcome members who can bring a diversity of voices, life experiences and perspectives to the program.

Applications for the 2023-24 cohort are now closed. Please contact Gillian Nyland if you are interested in applying for the 2024-2025 cohort.

Grantmaking Funds

Rose Community Foundation seeds the group’s grantmaking with $30,000 and provides a dollar-for-dollar match for members’ combined contributions, up to $10,000. All members are asked to make a personally meaningful donation. There is no recommended contribution amount and all amounts donated are confidential.

2022-23 Grantmaking

The 2022-2023 cohort of Roots & Branches Foundation focused its grantmaking on increasing safe and welcoming spaces within the Jewish community. The members awarded grants to the following organizations: 

  • Judaism Your Way ($20,000) To support Judaism Your Way’s work of creating innovative approaches to including Jews and loved ones in Jewish Community.
  • JCC Denver ($11,300) To support comprehensive programming for the LGBTQIA+ community. 
  • Keshet ($10,000) To support Keshet-Denver Leadership Project, a yearlong cohort-based program for Jewish institutions working toward LGBTQ inclusion.
  • Moving Traditions ($10,000) To support Tzelem, a program for LGBTQ+, nonbinary, and gender expansive teens in Colorado to develop healthy relationships, manage stress, feel a sense of belonging and a connection to their Jewish identity.