DENVER, December 22, 2023 — Today marks the 86th anniversary of the Boettcher Foundation’s organizational incorporation, and we’re thrilled to share some highlights from this past year.
Elevate. Connect. Lead. This was our theme for 2023 as we launched our Alumni engagement strategy and continued our work of selecting the leaders, doers, and difference makers who are impacting institutions and communities across Colorado.
In August, the Boettcher Foundation hosted a first-of-its-kind Scholar and Alumni event — Elevate. Connect. Lead. — that will continue every four years going forward. The event, which was attended by nearly 400 Boettcher community members, will be accompanied by a smaller Alumni event during the two years in between.
“Our Alumni strategy has been years in the making,” said Katie Kramer, president & CEO. “And 2023 will be remembered as the year we began to emphasize ‘the why’ and ‘the how’ of Boettcher’s Alumni approach through the 4 Ts — time, talent, ties, and treasure.”
In addition to Alumni engagement, a core focus of the Foundation’s work in 2023 centered on our Community Connections grantmaking and supporting the leadership ecosystem through its scholarship, fellowship, and biomedical research program and grant support. To date, Boettcher’s historical philanthropic giving is at more than $422 million.
Here are some 2023-specific highlights:
- In May, we announced our 71st class of Boettcher Scholars, an accomplished cohort of leaders who have wrapped up their initial quarters and semesters of their undergraduate careers. In total, Boettcher provided more than $4 million to current Scholars studying at four-year institutions throughout the state.
- In 2023, the Foundation graduated its second cohort of Boettcher Fellows, community leaders who are from mostly rural areas in Colorado.
- This year, the Foundation continued its Catalyst Grant Program for participants in our Rural Leaders Collaborative who are tackling key issues like childcare access, mental health, workforce development, and rural placemaking. In total, we supported 21 projects across 13 counties.
- Additionally, we issued $1.8 million to support our annual Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards. These grants help early career investigators to advance their research and compete for major grants, hoping that they remain in Colorado long-term. In total, the Foundation has supported 98 Boettcher Investigators since the late 2000s, with 87 still conducting research in Colorado.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS GRANTS
The Boettcher Foundation also provided approximately $2 million in grants to 40 projects/initiatives throughout Colorado. Here are a few highlights:
- Trinidad State College, Trinidad: Trinidad State College is remodeling its library for the first time since construction in 1967. Support will help to upgrade the building’s energy efficiencies, new technology, multipurpose rooms, and a “makerspace” for community groups and businesses.
- Unify America, Statewide: Unify America’s College Bowl boosts civil discourse, reduces contempt, and creates a space for young people to discuss controversial issues. Unify America is expanding its university partners in Colorado, with a major growth year planned in 2024.
- Community Hospital Adventure Academy, Grand Junction: Community Hospital in Grand Junction has constructed an on-site childcare facility open to the public. Support will help the 106-slot center, operated by a nonprofit provider, meet an important community demand that is also a unique partnership between an employer and a community.
- United Way of Yampa Valley Merger Support, Steamboat Springs and Craig: Increasingly united by regional challenges around the coal transition and workforce, the United Ways of Routt and Moffat Counties have decided to merge. Support will help with one-time costs including IT integration, program reorganization, branding, and accounting services.
- Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley Nonprofit HUB, Alamosa: Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley is renovating a large downtown Alamosa building to house its administrative offices and become a hub for other community organizations. Boettcher’s support will help to serve youth and revitalize downtown Alamosa.
- Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center, Eads: The Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center is an effort that began in 2006 to save a historic block of buildings in Eads. Capital support will bring a community partnership to help a library relocate from the courthouse basement to a vacant storefront next to the theater.
- Latino Cultural Arts Center, Denver: The Latino Cultural Arts Center is renovating a large, former West Denver warehouse into a cultural hub for Latino arts and community. Boettcher’s support will help the center to feature classrooms, galleries, a community kitchen, and provide space for partnerships with numerous organizations.
- RTL Foundation, Denver: RTL Foundation is creating a BIPOC Nonprofit Development Center to serve as an incubator and coworking space for BIPOC-led and serving nonprofits in Denver. Boettcher’s support would be applied specifically toward cubicles and other permanent fixtures like IT infrastructure.
ABOUT THE BOETTCHER FOUNDATION
At the Boettcher Foundation, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans because courageous leadership benefits every community in our state. By investing in people, programs, and organizations, we provide a foundation for transformational impact and community building.
