Denver Public Schools Foundation

A nonprofit organization

Your support helps to inspire innovation in classrooms, invest in addressing inequity, and connect students to whole child programs. Bring the promise of public education for Denver Public Schools' more than 90,000 students in more than 200 schools to life. 

Together, we can put Students First.

Testimonials

"The DPS Foundation for me has given me the resources to really be a great teacher, and to give kids lifelong memories. I think it's just thrilling that the money goes directly to students. Anyone who is philanthropic wants to know that their dollars have gone somewhere, and here they go directly to kids. My kids are living proof of it." - Cassie Perlmutter, DPS Educator for more than 20 years

"At my school, we are given lots of the things we need like snacks and a healthy lunch and cool things to do after school. Being a DPS student is so great! I get to do lots of fun things that I enjoy -besides just go to class. Last year, I got to participate in Power Lunch where we read with a buddy all year. My buddy helped me with words I didn't know and taught me how to sound out words on my own. I also love being part of our school's Shakespeare Club every week. I like it because when you are on stage you get a great rush and when you are reciting your lines it is like you went back in time." - Serenity, DPS student

The above programs mentioned are all supported by the DPS Foundation. For more information, visit dpsfoundation.org.

Mission

In partnership with Denver Public Schools, we raise and manage funds, make strategic program investments, and serve as community leaders so that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Background Statement

The Denver Public Schools Foundation was established in 1992 in recognition of the fact that public funds alone cannot adequately support the ambitious efforts to advance student achievement in Denver Public Schools. The DPS Foundation maintained a relatively passive role over the next ten years until it was revitalized in 2002 under the instrumental leadership of former DPS Superintendent Jerry Wartgow.

In 2005, under Superintendent Michael Bennet, DPS launched a comprehensive strategic plan called The Denver Plan, and the DPS Foundation worked to align its mission and activities to support the goals and priorities of this far-reaching and ambitious plan.

Since 2009, the DPS Foundation has worked closely with Denver Public Schools to support continued implementation of The Denver Plan, while meeting on-going, basic needs of schools and classrooms, teachers and students. As a result of its more than twenty-six year history, the DPS Foundation has become recognized as the portal of philanthropy for community investment in Denver Public Schools and a critical partner to the district for community engagement. Today, DPS Foundation works to support the district’s new Strategic Roadmap, focusing on supporting academics as well as the Whole Child and ensuring families are supported, all through strong community engagement.

The DPS Foundation engages the entire community in support of our schools and our children.

- We raise money. In 2020-21, we granted nearly $5,000,000 to support proven and innovative programs in DPS.

- We champion public education, serving as ambassadors and advocates for DPS.

- We build partnerships between the community and our schools, driving talent, resources and volunteers into our classrooms.

The DPS Foundation makes strategic investments in proven and promising programs and initiatives that support our teachers and fuel growth for our students.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Tax ID #84-1224325.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Denver Public Schools Foundation

other names

DPS Foundation

Year Established

1992

Tax id (EIN)

84-1224325

Category

Education

Address

1860 Lincoln Street, 10th Floor
Denver, CO 80203

Service areas

Denver County, CO, US

Phone

720-423-3553

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