Historic Grant Avenue

A nonprofit organization

$886 raised by 9 donors

9% complete

$10,000 Goal

Historic Grant Avenue Community Center is a historic landmark event center in Denver. We are a nonprofit serving and supporting other nonprofit organizations, small businesses and start-ups with a focus on the arts, music, cultural programs, continuing education, and spiritual enrichment for all of Denver's unique and beautifully diverse communities. It's our mission to serve these groups, by providing affordable event spaces with amenities they need to succeed, so they can focus on fulfilling their mission and goals.  

The aftermath of Covid has taken a hard hit on our event center. We are working toward adapting, like the rest, to the changes, but it has been challenging to get organizations in our doors, with the virtual conveniences, doing events or people feeling confident to start their own organization and finding enough enrollment. This has had a direct impact on our ability to generate revenue, making it increasingly difficult to sustain our operations and fulfill our mission. Nevertheless, we are determined to adapt with the times. We are open to receiving any donations like large screens, projectors, TV's with HDMI hookups, TV Stands, to hands on help with projects like painting the theater to sanding the stage and building steps and shelving and replacing carpet. 

Recently, our organization has experienced boiler flooding, steam pipes bursting, and radiators leaking causing water damages. Our focus has shifted from updating our theater and auditorium for our communities to major replacements and repairs. Your donation is essential to us at this critical time more then ever to prevent the imminent risk of having to close our doors. Your support will play a crucial role in our ability to recover from these setbacks and continue providing essential support to everyone else we serve. We truly thank you for your support, generosity, and kindness especially during these extraordinary challenging times. 

The main pipe that burst


Water damage, in the historic entry, from one of the leaking radiators that bled. 

Boiler flooded

 ...... YES, YOUR donation REALLY makes a difference, not only for Historic Grant Avenue, but all 22 of our tenants, their group members, and those whom need affordable and safe event spaces in Denver. Your donation is a rippling effect that'll positively impact many others. THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

Testimonial

"CHBA (Colorado Honor Band) is grateful to HGA to have a space that fits our needs today and has met our needs for the last 70 years. HGA is a partner in our success!" Steve Martin, Program Director

"Historic Grant Avenue has brought historical character and unique charm to our immersive concerts unlike any other venue in Denver. Audiences of all ages have enjoyed the ambience of the entire building, and especially the grand theater. Status Chamber Orchestra has enjoyed performing at HGA and we look forward to bringing our full orchestra for an immersive concert experience once again in the future!" Lynn Nestingen, Ph.D. Executive Director 

"HGA has been home to the Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra and Denver Guitar Orchestra for many years because it is a welcoming and inclusive community of musicians, artists, writers and spiritually minded people. We're lucky to have a place to grow and experiment alongside creative people from all walks of life. And, climbing the stairs makes us stronger people too." Gary Jugert Executive Director

"Historic Grant Avenue has been a wonderful venue to work with over the years. Our school, Maestro Music Institute, holds all of our major events at HGA such as our summer theater camps, music recitals, masterclasses, and guest lectures. HGA is always generous to host and provides a clean and inviting space to produce these events, which means so much to our company. We even teach some of our private lessons at this facility, which us with greater expansion and musical reach into our community." Phoenix Gayles Director of Special Programs

Mission

"As stewards of this sacred building, we are committed to provide a cooperative environment for arts, cultural, continued education and spiritual activities that enrich lives."

Grant Avenue is a historic landmark that provides safe and affordable events spaces for all of Denver's unique and diverse communities. We want other organizations, small businesses and start-ups to be able to focus on fulfilling their mission and goals while being able to host any type of event.

Background Statement

Originally, Grant Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church was home to the first Methodist congregation in the newly incorporated community of South Denver. Designed by architect Harry J. Manning in 1908, the building with its arched windows, stained glass windows, spire-topped tower and masonry construction remains a striking example of the Gothic Revival style, which was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. An addition was added in 1919, and the church quickly became a vibrant center for community activities. Throughout its history, names such as Speer, Iliff, Byers, and Evans could be found among its supporters.

Over time the congregation declined and rather than have the sacred site turned into lofts, in 2001 the United Methodist congregation gifted the building to the community to continue its legacy as a gathering place for arts, cultural and spiritual activities that enrich lives and engage visitors. The 30,000 square-foot building features a sanctuary that seats 500 people, one of the finest historic pipe organs in Colorado, a theater that seats 160, a kitchenette and several meeting rooms. Today musical performances, events, and religious services regularly take place at Historic Grant Avenue and more than 25 community groups and local organizations, ranging from the Mile High Freedom Band (LGBTQ+ orchestra) and the Mile High Harmonica Club to Alcoholics Anonymous, The Colorado Honor Band Assn. (youth orchestras), and Church Women United, meet at this historic building.

Historic Grant Avenue gives these groups and so many others the opportunity to be heard, acknowledged and a chance to grow. This is why your contributions make a difference. You are not only helping our nonprofit, you are helping over a hundred other local nonprofit organizations as well.

Thank you!

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Historic Grant Avenue

other names

Historic Grant Avenue, HGA, Grant Avenue Community Center & Sacred Place

Year Established

2000

Tax id (EIN)

84-1552533

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Organization Size

Small Organization

Address

216 S. Grant Street
Denver, CO 80209

Mailing

216 S. Grant Street
Denveer, CO 80209

Service areas

Denver County, CO, US

Phone

303-733-8940

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