Denver, CO—Along with its recent recognition by U.S. News & World Report as “the best place to live in the U.S.,” Denver just got even better. Today, nine local organizations — promoting education, sustainability, health, culture, food and justice in the community — report the results of the work they have completed since June 2015, when they were named winners of Rose Community Foundation’s inaugural Innovate for Good.
Rose Community Foundation created Innovate for Good in 2015, a venture to find and fund new, innovative projects “to make the Greater Denver community a better place to live.” The Foundation received nearly 400 submissions in response to the question, What new and innovative idea would you bring to life to make the Greater Denver community a better place to live?
In June 2015, with the criteria to be innovative, make a difference, be feasible and implementable and be consistent with Rose Community Foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life in Denver, a team of 130 community members helped select the following nine organizations as winners: Arts Street, Be the Gift, Bright by Three, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Greenway Foundation, Groundwork Denver, Shorter Community AME Church and Warm Cookies of the Revolution.
A total of $250,000 was awarded to fund their projects. Today, the organizations share progress they have made since receiving their grants.
“These nine organizations embody the heart of why this initiative was originally created, to find people with ideas for innovative and inspiring work, then encourage them to implement their vision,” said Sheila Bugdanowitz, president and CEO of Rose Community Foundation. “We are inspired to see them helping guide Denver’s health, environment, education and community leaders on real solutions to real problems.”
The winners share their progress and results for how they are “innovating for good.” Their stories continue to improve and change the Greater Denver community culturally, economically, intellectually and physically. From single moms to veterans, high school students and neighborhood families, they are reaching the people who make up the fabric of the Denver community.
About Rose Community Foundation
Rose Community Foundation uses leadership, grant making and donor engagement to invest in strategic and innovative solutions to enduring problems and emerging issues. The Foundation has granted more than $240 million, since it was founded in 1995. To learn more, please visit rcfdenver.org.
About Innovate for Good 2016
On May 2, Rose Community Foundation will begin accepting idea submissions for Innovate for Good 2016. Rose Community Foundation believes youth are often an untapped resource, so Innovate for Good 2016 asks What idea could you bring to life to empower youth to make your community better? Ideas should be innovative, empowering, poised for impact and just getting started. Please visit rcfdenver.org/innovateforgood for more information. Submission deadline is May 31.