Community development veteran Matt Jordan joins from the Education Commission of the States
DENVER, Colo. (July 15, 2020) – Prosperity Denver Fund, a new nonprofit that is funded by Denver voters and provides scholarship reimbursements to nonprofits who serve Denver students, announced today the hiring of Matt Jordan as the organization’s first-ever Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
As CEO, Jordan will be responsible for overseeing the Fund’s daily operations, as well as outreach to Denver’s community and nonprofits sponsored by the Fund.
“Matt’s career has focused extensively on the critical issues of economic mobility, community development, and education policy,” said Stephen Kurtz, Chairman of the Fund. “He’s held strategic management roles in the public and nonprofit sectors, making him an excellent fit to lead the Fund now and into the future.”
Prior to joining the Fund, Jordan served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Education Commission of the States, based in Denver. After a brief stint as Assistant City Manager for Overland Park, Kansas, he helped launch the Kansas Leadership Center where he served as its first Chief Operating Officer overseeing internationally-recognized programs and community operations.
“It’s an honor to serve the community through a voter-backed organization that I believe will have a sweeping long-term impact on our students and our economy as a whole,” said Matt Jordan. “I look forward to working collaboratively within the community to address the many social and racial issues we are facing, many of which can be solved through equitable access to post-secondary education. Together with the Fund and our Supported Organizations, we have the leadership and resources to create real, lasting opportunities for thousands of Denver students.”
Jordan began his career in municipal roles supporting City Managers in Lenexa and Wichita, Kansas. In 2003, he was named Director of Operations for the Kansas Department of Commerce where he managed a staff of 50 and an annual budget of $5 million.
Jordan received a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and has held board roles at the Morey Middle School Collaborative School Committee and at Social Venture Partners Denver. He resides in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood with his wife and son.
About Prosperity Denver Fund
In 2018, Denver voters passed the Prosperity Denver ballot initiative to increase post-secondary enrollment and degree completion, and to authorize the creation of Prosperity Denver Fund (PDF) to administer the Denver College Affordability Fund, which is funded by a 0.08% sales tax increase that started collection in January 2019 and sunsets in 2030.
Prosperity Denver Fund, a tax-funded nonprofit organization, is dedicated to expanding access to post-secondary education opportunities for Denver students. The Fund leverages public dollars with privately raised funds to increase enrollment at accredited Colorado technical schools, community colleges, and universities. The Fund has a seven-member board appointed by the Mayor and City Council, with annual financial and student results reported to the Mayor, Council, and Auditor. The Board is subject to open meetings and open records laws. Learn more at www.prosperitydenverfund.org.
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