Denver Public Schools Foundation (DPS Foundation)

About Their city and their communities are strengthened by each student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. Their goal is to help make sure every student, in every school, has the tools and resources to reach their highest potential. As the strategic fundraising partner for DPS, they work together to find and fund the highest impact investments. They engage their community, educators and DPS to accelerate progress and they help to find the most impactful ways to empower teachers, fuel engaged learning, and support students and their families. Powered by the generosity of their donors, they have demonstrated the power of public education and impacted the lives of students across DPS for more than a quarter of a century. Denver Public Schools Foundation was established in 1992 in recognition of the fact that public funds alone cannot adequately support the ambitious efforts to advance student achievement in Denver Public Schools. The DPS Foundation maintained a relatively passive role over the next ten years until it was revitalized in 2002 under the instrumental leadership of former DPS Superintendent Jerry Wartgow. In 2005, under Superintendent Michael Bennet, DPS launched a comprehensive strategic plan called The Denver Plan, and the DPS Foundation worked to align its mission and activities to support the goals and priorities of this far-reaching and ambitious plan. Since 2009, the DPS Foundation has worked closely with Denver Public Schools to support continued implementation of The Denver Plan, while meeting on-going, basic needs of schools and classrooms, teachers and students. As a result of its more than twenty-six year history, the DPS Foundation has become recognized as the portal of philanthropy for community investment in Denver Public Schools and a critical partner to the district for community engagement.