FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 18, 2024
Tracy Williams
TradeWinds Communications
Public Relations for Prosperity Denver Fund
Prosperity Denver Fund Announces Major Impact Program Milestones
Fall 2024 Impact Report Numbers Show Exponential Growth in Scholarship Funding Since 2018 Inception Due to New Programs
(Denver, CO) – Prosperity Denver Fund, dedicated to transforming lives through education and community support, proudly announces the latest results of its initiatives, awarding over [total number] scholarships to Denver college students and expanding its network of partner organizations to serve more communities than ever before.
In comparison with the fall of 2023, Prosperity Denver Fund’s fall 2024 numbers show a 100% growth increase in the number of scholarships funded, support services programs underwritten, and credentials training programs financed.
Fall Distribution Numbers:
- Scholarships and Credentials Funded: 2,825
- Students Served with Support Services: 17,689
- Fall Distribution Total: 15.6M
- Organizations Served: 46
“This year has been nothing short of transformative for Prosperity Denver Fund and our community,” says Prosperity Denver Fund’s new CEO Rebecca Arno. “We’re distributing more resources than ever to fund futures for Denver’s young people, and we’re just getting started. This momentum is a testament to our mission’s power, and we’re committed to amplifying our impact in the years to come.”
Expanding Partnerships for Greater Reach
In addition to supporting individual scholars, Prosperity Denver Fund strengthened its commitment to community nonprofits by collaborating with and serving 62 organizations in the Denver metro area, an increase of 48% since its inaugural funding year in 2020.
Numbers Since Inception:
- Scholarships and Credentials Funded: 37,634
- Students Served with Support Services: 37,662
- Funds Distributed: $47.6M
- Organizations Served: 62
These organizations are at the forefront of providing essential services such as scholarships, career mentorship, educational resources, and social support to underserved populations. Through these partnerships, Prosperity Denver Fund amplifies their impact, ensuring that whole communities benefit from its mission. Prosperity Denver Fund’s partnership with Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is a prime example, particularly for students like Thaw Sue, an alum of that organization.
“The DSF Future Center provided me with an encouraging and supportive environment to explore post-secondary opportunities,” said Thaw. “Throughout my college journey, my DSF Campus Advisor was an invaluable guide, helping me navigate both life and academics with the resources I needed to make the process much more accessible and manageable.” Please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6akxWs-byJk for more info on Thaw’s journey.
Success stories like Victor Sandoval, another DSF alum, also point to Prosperity Denver Fund’s efforts to fund scholarships that help students graduate from postsecondary programs without being overwhelmed by debt.
“I am deeply grateful for the support provided by DSF and the financial support of the DSF Scholarship, which enabled me to graduate debt-free. The comprehensive eight years of guidance, from my first year of high school to college graduation, were instrumental to my success. From the unwavering support of my DSF Advisors to the invaluable resources offered, I’m proud to now pay it forward by advising students myself, continuing the cycle of upliftment and opportunity.”
Keyonu Roberson of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a direct beneficiary of funding from Prosperity Denver Fund, is another example.
“As a member I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Denver Alumni Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity for selecting me as a recipient of the Denver Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Foundation in 2022,” Roberson said. “Your generous support has been instrumental in my educational journey. This scholarship has significantly alleviated my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my academic pursuits and fully engage in campus activities. It has also inspired me to strive for excellence, knowing that I am part of a legacy of outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on their communities. Thank you again for your belief in me. I am truly honored to be a part of the Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Foundation.”
Since Prosperity Denver Fund’s inception via voter approval in 2018, the growth in all areas has been massive. For example:
- Scholarships and Credentials Funded: 37,634
- Students Served with Support Services: 37,662
- Funds Distributed: 47.6M
- Organizations Served: 62
Arno, who has been on the job as Prosperity Denver Fund’s new CEO for just over 100 days, has high praise for those who have steadfastly supported the program and its mission over the past six years.
“The fact that we’re able to fund the futures of more students than ever is directly related to the action taken by Denver’s City Council last year to expand the reach of the Prosperity Denver Fund. We’re now helping thousands of Denver residents ages 14 through 30 to consider what’s possible for their futures after high school – in both college and their careers. This means great things for our City’s economic future.” Prosperity Denver Fund now funds three programs: collegiate, high school support services, and credentials and apprenticeships.
Those ordinance changes allowed Prosperity Denver Fund to expand eligibility guidelines to serve more Denver students, implement new technology developments, and assist the mission driven work of its partner scholarship providers who spend countless hours serving Denver youth.
In the year ahead, the organization hopes to continue to dramatically increase the number of scholarships funded and provide much needed resources to increase enrollment rates by DPS graduates into postsecondary pathways.
“We hope our efforts in 2024 not only continue to make an impact in driving down equity gaps in education, but also position us to reach 100% distribution of annual revenue in 2025,” Arno continued. Click here to read more.
Additional New Programs
Contributing to the significant growth was the addition of two new programs to Prosperity Denver Fund’s original Collegiate program. Prosperity Denver Funds programs are:
- The Collegiate Scholarship and Support Services Reimbursement Programreimburses qualifying nonprofit organizations, referred to as Supporting Organizations, up to 75% for eligible scholarships and support services for two and four-year collegiate programs. In the organization’s brief history, thousands of students have been supported through scholarships and wraparound support. These supports help minimize a student’s debt, support the student’s postsecondary goals, and ensure they are equipped to contribute to their local economy after graduation.
- The High School Support Services Program(HSSSP) provides reimbursements to qualified organizations for high school initiatives aimed at increasing postsecondary preparedness and enrollment among low-income Denver residents. These programs, implemented by supported organizations (SOs), are instrumental in increasing student enrollment in two- and four-year colleges and certificate programs, and ultimately setting students up for long-term success.
- The Credentials Reimbursement Programreimburses qualifying nonprofit organizations up to 75% for eligible training and support service costs for learners pursuing registered apprenticeships, teacher training credentials, and industry-recognized credentials.
To learn more about Prosperity Denver Fund and how your nonprofit can partner with them, visit Prosperity DenverFund.org, or email info@prosperitydenverfund.org.
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About the Denver Prosperity Fund
In 2018, Denver voters passed a ballot initiative known as Prosperity Denver. The ordinance called for a 0.08% sales tax (less than one cent on $10) which would be distributed in the form of reimbursements to nonprofits providing scholarships to Denver students. Prosperity Denver Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, manages and distributes this funding, contributing millions each year to eligible organizations.
