DENVER, July 23, 2026 — The Boettcher Foundation is proud to announce the 10 recipients of its 2026 Leadership Practitioner Catalyst Grants, awarding $71,000 to organizations working to strengthen Colorado’s leadership ecosystem.
The grants provide capacity-building support to organizations participating in Boettcher’s Leadership Practitioners Collaborative, which brings together leaders of leadership programs and organizations from across the state. Launched in 2021, the quarterly convenings create opportunities for practitioners to share knowledge and resources, build relationships, and advance a more inclusive and accessible leadership ecosystem in Colorado.
Each grantee will implement a one-time, strategic project focused on evaluation and impact measurement, expanding leadership pipelines, increasing collaboration, or strengthening organizational leadership. This year’s projects range from long-term program evaluation and cross-sector planning to youth civic engagement and professional development.
“Leadership organizations are constantly looking for better ways to serve their communities, but testing new ideas or measuring long-term impact often requires resources that are difficult to secure,” said Garrett Mayberry, grants program officer. “These Catalyst Grants give organizations the flexibility to evaluate their work, strengthen partnerships, and invest in strategic improvements that ultimately benefit leaders across Colorado.”
Below is a summary of the organizations and projects awarded in the 2026 cycle:
America’s Promise Alliance Denver – The organization brings together youth-serving nonprofits to improve outcomes for young people across the Denver area. Grant funding will support cross-sector planning for a coordinated career navigation pilot connecting youth with education, workforce, and community resources.
Civic Canopy – Civic Canopy helps communities strengthen collaboration and civic leadership. Grant funding supports the Reviving Democracy, Reclaiming Civics Summit, which explores new approaches to civic participation and community collaboration.
Colorado Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents – CO-ALAS develops Latino/Latina education leaders for executive and senior leadership roles. Grant funding will support an evaluation of the 4 Corners Latinx Leadership Academy to measure its impact and guide future improvements.
Hey Neighbor – Hey Neighbor equips Colorado Springs residents with the knowledge and relationships to strengthen their communities through civic participation. Grant funding will support storytelling and evaluation efforts that document the impact of Neighborhood University graduates.
National Civic League – The National Civic League advances civic engagement and healthy, equitable communities. Grant funding will support the creation of the Youth Action Guide to Civic Health, highlighting effective youth leadership and civic engagement practices across Colorado.
Transformative Leadership for Change – TLC develops BIPOC leaders working across Colorado’s social change ecosystem. Grant funding will support an evaluation of the TLC Fellowship at 10 years in existence to measure its long-term impact and inform future programming.
University of Colorado Foundation – Presidents Leadership Class – The Presidents Leadership Class prepares students to become leaders who create positive change. Grant funding will support a targeted professional certification in change management, advancing the program’s leadership curriculum and opportunities for student development.
University of Denver – The Colorado Project: Rural Renaissance connects leaders across rural Colorado to identify innovative solutions that benefit their communities. Grant funding will support the Northeast Colorado convening and expand participation for rural leaders and emerging leaders.
Vail Valley Works – Vail Valley Works strengthens the region’s workforce through career development and community partnerships. Grant funding will support the re-launch of the Young Emerging Professionals Program, helping young adults build leadership skills, professional networks, and community connections.
YouthRoots – YouthRoots empowers young people to lead change in their schools and communities. Grant funding will support the organization’s learning and evaluation infrastructure to improve impact measurement, organizational learning, and strategic planning.
Please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website for information about future Leadership Practitioner Catalyst Grant cycles.
About the Boettcher Foundation
The Boettcher Foundation believes in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. We invest in people, programs, and organizations across the state to create a foundation for community building and transformational impact.
