Nathan Yip Foundation

Background Statement

The Nathan Yip Foundation was founded in 2002 by Jimmy and Linda Yip, after they lost their only child, Nathan, in an automobile accident in December 2001. Nathan was 19 years old. Growing up, Nathan was very involved with philanthropy and was Vice President of Future Givers at Kent Denver. The organization's mission was to encourage young people to help others through philanthropic efforts.

Nathan traveled the world with his parents. While visiting many remote areas of China, Nathan was overwhelmed by the poverty and lack of educational opportunities. It was during these trips that Nathan and Jimmy spoke of starting a foundation to fund education for impoverished and underserved children worldwide. Nathan recognized his own privilege and knew that by targeting education, he could begin to end the cycle of poverty that exists in so many rural areas. The Yip family made a promise that when Nathan finished college, they would work together to establish this foundation.

After Nathan's passing, Jimmy and Linda Yip dedicated their lives to making Nathan's dream his legacy. It is Jimmy and Linda's hope that the Nathan Yip Foundation will build upon Nathan's legacy and bring positive energy and fulfillment from their most tragic loss.

At the Nathan Yip Foundation, we believe every child deserves access to a high-quality, equitable education—no matter where they live. Rural communities embody the “village” spirit of raising children, yet too often their schools are overlooked simply because of their size or distance from urban centers.

That’s where we come in. Our mission is to invest in rural district, schools, and teachers across Colorado, providing the resources and support they need to spark innovation and create meaningful opportunities for students. With your gift, you help ensure that every child—no matter how remote their hometown—has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

The Nathan Yip Foundation is committed to reaching students in Colorado’s most underserved rural communities by working hand-in-hand with those who know them best—teachers, families, and school leaders. We believe teachers are the heart of innovation and vision in rural schools, and we partner directly with districts to ensure every idea is rooted in local needs, thoughtfully designed, and built to last.

Through these partnerships, we open pathways for collaboration that lead to bold, teacher-driven, and district-supported solutions—programs that support the whole student academically, socially, and emotionally. By investing in initiatives that are both visionary and sustainable, we help rural schools create opportunities that empower students, strengthen families, and build brighter futures across entire communities.