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Gates Family Foundation Public Leadership Fellowship is sponsored by Gates Family Foundation. This fellowship supports outstanding public leaders from Colorado to attend the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Harvard Kennedy School. It covers a significant portion of the tuition for the three-week intensive residential program designed to build new skills for tackling complex challenges.
Geographic focus: Colorado
Focus areas: Public Leadership, State and Local Government, Civic Capacity
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
Colorado Strategic Philanthropy - Gates Family Foundation Here is an important announcement. Click here to learn more. Colorado Strategic Philanthropy Working with partners and communities to build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable Colorado for all. Our strategic philanthropy and mission-forward investing reflects our focus on impacting quality of life challenges facing Colorado in four areas: Advancing a Colorado where all children have access to educational opportunities that support their long-term success. Supporting land and water conservation, management, and protection of Colorado’s natural resources. Addressing the root causes of economic inequality and inequitable community development. Ensuring all Coloradans have access to trustworthy, rigorous, fact-based local news and information about important civic issues. Foundation News and Insights A Farewell Message for Leslie Sabin Get Ready for the Gates Family Foundation Capital Grants Deadline! Gates Family Foundation Welcomes New Team Members THESE FOUR COMMITMENTS POWER OUR STRATEGIC WORK WE WORK WITH PARTNERS TO CATALYZE POSITIVE CHANGE. We serve as advocates and thought partners, convening organizations, stakeholders, and funders for collective action. WE CENTER EQUITY, EMBRACE ALL FORMS OF DIVERSITY, AND FOSTER INCLUSION. We prioritize people and communities that historically have lacked power and experienced barriers to opportunity. We consider climate impacts when making all organizational decisions, from grantmaking and investments to daily operations. WE RESPOND TO THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES. We listen to our partners and grantees when developing our priorities, and evolve when unmet opportunities emerge. 1390 Lawrence Street, #400 Denver, Colorado 80204-2081 info@gatesfamilyfoundation.org © 2026 Gates Family Foundation The Gates Family Foundation Informed Communities program is dedicated to strengthening Colorado’s civic infrastructure by supporting local journalism, public media, and community-centered storytelling . The program aims to ensure that all Coloradans—especially those in underserved and rural areas—have access to trustworthy, relevant, and inclusive news and information. In 2024, the program focused on three strategic priorities: Sustaining Local News Ecosystems : Supporting nonprofit and public media organizations with innovative business models. Building Inclusive Leadership and Voices : Investing in diverse media outlets and collaborative reporting. Strengthening Field Infrastructure : Supporting convening, capacity-building, and shared services through intermediaries like Colorado Media Project (CMP). In 2024, the Informed Communities program awarded nine grants totaling $1.3 million. The local news landscape in Colorado—like much of the nation— continues to face existential challenges: declining advertising revenue, journalist burnout, and the collapse of legacy media institutions . Local journalism, public media, and community-centered storytelling are essential pillars of a healthy society . These essential civic resources provide trusted information in an age of misinformation, ensure democratic
Application snapshot: target deadline March 2, 2026; published funding information $17,000 toward tuition (Fellow or employer pays the remaining $900 balance); eligibility guidance Elected, appointed, or career public officials serving in state, county, or local government roles within Colorado.
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Colorado Strategic Philanthropy - Gates Family Foundation Here is an important announcement. Click here to learn more. Colorado Strategic Philanthropy Working with partners and communities to build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable Colorado for all.
Our strategic philanthropy and mission-forward investing reflects our focus on impacting quality of life challenges facing Colorado in four areas: Advancing a Colorado where all children have access to educational opportunities that support their long-term success. Supporting land and water conservation, management, and protection of Colorado’s natural resources.
Addressing the root causes of economic inequality and inequitable community development. Ensuring all Coloradans have access to trustworthy, rigorous, fact-based local news and information about important civic issues. Foundation News and Insights A Farewell Message for Leslie Sabin Get Ready for the Gates Family Foundation Capital Grants Deadline!
Gates Family Foundation Welcomes New Team Members THESE FOUR COMMITMENTS POWER OUR STRATEGIC WORK WE WORK WITH PARTNERS TO CATALYZE POSITIVE CHANGE. We serve as advocates and thought partners, convening organizations, stakeholders, and funders for collective action. WE CENTER EQUITY, EMBRACE ALL FORMS OF DIVERSITY, AND FOSTER INCLUSION.
We prioritize people and communities that historically have lacked power and experienced barriers to opportunity. We consider climate impacts when making all organizational decisions, from grantmaking and investments to daily operations. WE RESPOND TO THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES.
We listen to our partners and grantees when developing our priorities, and evolve when unmet opportunities emerge. 1390 Lawrence Street, #400 Denver, Colorado 80204-2081 info@gatesfamilyfoundation. org © 2026 Gates Family Foundation The Gates Family Foundation Informed Communities program is dedicated to strengthening Colorado’s civic infrastructure by supporting local journalism, public media, and community-centered storytelling .
The program aims to ensure that all Coloradans—especially those in underserved and rural areas—have access to trustworthy, relevant, and inclusive news and information. In 2024, the program focused on three strategic priorities: Sustaining Local News Ecosystems : Supporting nonprofit and public media organizations with innovative business models.
Building Inclusive Leadership and Voices : Investing in diverse media outlets and collaborative reporting. Strengthening Field Infrastructure : Supporting convening, capacity-building, and shared services through intermediaries like Colorado Media Project (CMP). In 2024, the Informed Communities program awarded nine grants totaling $1.
3 million. The local news landscape in Colorado—like much of the nation— continues to face existential challenges: declining advertising revenue, journalist burnout, and the collapse of legacy media institutions . Local journalism, public media, and community-centered storytelling are essential pillars of a healthy society .
These essential civic resources provide trusted information in an age of misinformation, ensure democratic accountability by covering local issues, and amplify diverse voices often overlooked by national outlets. These forms of media foster community connection, resilience, and cultural identity, while also supporting local economies.
As innovative models and digital tools expand access and inclusivity, their role in strengthening informed, engaged, and empathetic communities has never been more critical. Navigating a Shifting Media Landscape In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, adaptability, inclusion, and sustainability are essential for strengthening local journalism.
The ability to respond quickly to financial instability underscores the importance of flexible, responsive grantmaking. Investments in ethnic media, rural newsrooms, and collaborative models have shown that diversity not only promotes equity but also enhances resilience. To address burnout and financial precarity, continued support for revenue-generating roles, shared services, and business-side coaching is critical.
Looking ahead, community-centered innovation will guide future investments, with a focus on meeting the needs of underserved and rural communities. Rocky Mountain Public Media In 2024, the Foundation awarded a two-year, $100,000 grant to Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM) to support its leadership in a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening civic engagement and rebuilding trust in local journalism .
This commitment was the first multi-year grant awarded under the Foundation’s Informed Communities grantmaking area, reflecting a deeper commitment to long-term, systemic impact in Colorado’s local news ecosystem. As the lead implementation partner, RMPM coordinates a coalition of newsrooms, community organizations, and academic institutions to create a more inclusive and responsive “public square” across the state.
The initiative focuses on community-centered engagement—particularly in underserved and rural areas—and addresses critical gaps in newsroom capacity, trust, and representation. It emphasizes recruiting and training community ambassadors, supporting newsroom-led engagement efforts, and building a statewide feedback loop between residents and media outlets.
RMPM’s strong track record in inclusive storytelling, collaborative leadership, and ability to scale impact made it a compelling grantee. The Foundation’s support helped RMPM build infrastructure, expand its reach, and ensure that diverse voices were heard and reflected in civic discourse across all 64 Colorado counties.
In 2024, the Foundation committed $1 million over three years to support Colorado Media Project (CMP), a cross-sector catalyst and advocate for local news in Colorado since 2018 . CMP now serves as the local home of Press Forward Colorado, one of 17 regional chapters of Press Forward—a national initiative launched to revitalize local news and strengthen democracy.
Through CMP, pooled funds are directed toward advancing equity, innovation, and accountability journalism across the state. CMP also received a $250,000 Press Forward Catalyst Grant. Pooled funding offers a powerful and sustainable approach to supporting local journalism, public media, and community-centered storytelling.
By combining resources from multiple funders, it provides greater financial stability, enabling long-term planning and investment in high-quality reporting. This collaborative model encourages innovation, promotes equity by directing funds to underrepresented communities and smaller outlets, and fosters efficiency and shared learning among funders and media organizations.
Multi-year support for intermediaries like CMP has proven essential for field-wide coordination, pooled funding, and shared learning. As 2024 concluded, the Informed Communities program stood at a pivotal moment—marked by both the transition of longtime staff member Melissa Milios Davis and the emergence of new opportunities such as a new leadership hire for the CMP.
The year underscored the critical role of local journalism in sustaining civic life, while also revealing the fragility of the systems that support it. Through strategic investments, collaborative partnerships, and responsive grantmaking, the initiative has helped stabilize key institutions, elevate diverse voices, and strengthen the connective tissue of Colorado’s media ecosystem.
In 2025, the program will continue to evolve in response to the rapidly changing media landscape. Key areas of focus will include: Deepening support for rural and ethnic media to ensure that all Coloradans—regardless of geography or background—have access to trusted, relevant information. Investing in leadership and talent developmen t to build a more inclusive, sustainable pipeline of journalists, editors, and media entrepreneurs.
Strengthening collaborative infrastructure through pooled funding, shared services, and field-wide coordination that promotes innovation and resilience. Exploring n ew models of community engagement and storytelling that center residents’ voices and foster civic trust.
As national attention and philanthropic momentum with respect to local news continue to grow, the Gates Family Foundation is committed to ensuring that Colorado remains a leader in building a more equitable, informed, and connected civic infrastructure.
Latia Henderson, Director of Strategic Communications and Informed Communities COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW The Gates Family Foundation’s Community Development program focuses on supporting locally grounded, community-led efforts that advance equitable economic mobility while strengthening opportunities to build and preserve community-based assets .
The strategy prioritizes local vision and leadership, aligning with statewide and local policy goals to unlock affordable housing development and promote employee-owned business models.
Throughout 2024, the Community Development program remained committed to its strategic focus areas: Economic Mobility for Families and Individuals: The program supported initiatives that foster a more just and inclusive economy—creating living-wage jobs, developing small businesses, and building wealth for low-income residents across Colorado.
Investments were directed toward entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community wealth-building strategies. Equitable Community Assets: The program invested in community assets that strengthen neighborhoods, create and preserve affordable housing, address displacement pressures, and support community-serving infrastructure.
This body of work included funding for local capacity-building and data tools that empower communities to shape land use in ways that reflect local priorities and enhance affordability. Program staff worked closely with partners and grantees to refine programmatic direction and guide investments toward systems-change opportunities and community-led initiatives.
In 2024, the Community Development program awarded 22 grants totaling $1 million. Aligning Local Innovation with Systemic Change Housing and Land Use Policy Ongoing affordability pressures are driving innovative community development strategies and policy advancements across Colorado. The state legislature has passed landmark bills aimed at increasing the supply of affordable homes and enhancing housing stability.
These measures include updates to land use legislation, funding for displacement mitigation strategies, support for housing near transit, and efforts to reduce barriers to the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Foundation actively participates in and supports inclusive processes that enable meaningful community engagement in shaping these policies.
Economic Mobility and Strategic Focus Across Colorado, organizations continued pursuing strategies to increase economic mobility—ranging from employee ownership models to workforce development initiatives with anchor employers.
The breadth of these approaches posed a challenge for the Gates Family Foundation’s strategic focus, prompting a period of reflection and refinement to better align interventions and partnerships with long-term economic mobility goals.
Federal Policy and Infrastructure Investments The outcomes of the 2024 federal election marked the final phase of grants and investments made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Colorado received historic levels of funding to expand access to public transit, broadband, and workforce training programs in clean energy industries.
Notable examples include broadband infrastructure investments for the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes in Southwest Colorado, and support for Denver’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, currently under construction along Colfax Avenue. Throughout 2024, the Community Development program invested in initiatives that catalyze inclusive economic models in both urban and rural communities.
Grants supported organizations focused on building entrepreneurial capacity, developing workforce training models, and expanding employee ownership. SistaBiz: Supported programming and capacity-building for under-resourced entrepreneurs. Prodigy Ventures: Advanced workforce development pipelines and youth training while fostering social capital.
Denver Health: Created pathways to higher-wage jobs through targeted workforce initiatives. Small Capital: Promoted market-driven models to grow community wealth through worker ownership. Land use reform and equitable planning emerged as increasingly important themes in 2024 grantmaking.
Several grants were awarded to strengthen local and statewide planning capacity and promote inclusive development. Community Builders: Provided planning assistance to rural towns. Sustainable Development Code & Housing Colorado (Zoning Atlas) : Developed practical tools to support zoning reform.
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project: Advanced implementation of land use policy. East Colfax Community Collaborative (EC3) : Stabilized legacy small businesses and helped prevent displacement in a rapidly changing corridor. RedLine Contemporary Arts Center & Denver Civic Ventures : Led inclusive activation and revitalization efforts in community spaces.
Following the transition of Laia Mitchell—Community Development’s talented and long-standing Senior Program Officer—the program will welcome new leadership and continues refining its strategy based on insights gained in 2024. Laia’s leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the program’s vision and deepening its impact across Colorado, and her departure marks both a moment of reflection and an opportunity for renewal.
With sweeping policy changes anticipated at the national level, the program will need to adapt to a significant reduction in federal investments and the resulting impacts on economic mobility and stability for marginalized communities. Despite these challenges, the state’s continued commitment to affordable housing and its growing support for economic mobility strategies provide a strong foundation to accelerate community momentum.
Key priorities for 2025 include: Refining the Foundation’s strategy for economic mobility investments Building capacity in under-resourced planning environments Reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to rural and place-based initiatives We look forward to deepening our relationships across the state and focusing on solutions that advance economic mobility and affordability.
We will continue to seek opportunities to support resident-led efforts to build and preserve community assets while fostering a just and inclusive economy in Colorado.
Helen Katich, Senior Program Officer, Community Development NATURAL RESOURCES – 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW The Gates Family Foundation’s Natural Resources program is focused on protecting Colorado’s land, water, and forests by: Encouraging creative, practical solutions Involving more people and communities in conservation Using market-based tools such as mitigation banking, conservation easements, and other payments for ecosystem services This approach emphasizes collaboration across the state and supports the next generation of conservation leaders—ensuring Colorado’s natural resources are effectively stewarded for years to come.
The program has three core focus areas, each addressing some of Colorado’s most pressing environmental challenges : Balanced Water Management: Supports innovative solutions to water scarcity, especially in rural and Tribal communities. Projects aim to balance the needs of people, agriculture, and ecosystems through statewide water planning, management for multiple objectives, and conservation.
Forest Health and Watershed Restoration: Promotes collaborative forest management to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and protect water sources—recognizing the vital role healthy forests and watersheds play in community and ecosystem resilience.
Landscape Conservation and Land Trust Capacity Building: Focuses on protecting high-priority landscapes and strengthening land trusts to lead large-scale, collaborative conservation efforts across the state. In 2024, the Natural Resources program awarded 18 grants totaling $1. 7 million.
The Foundation’s current strategy responds to growing pressures from climate change and population growth. These trends have made conservation more urgent and complex.
In response, the Foundation: Adopted a tiered approach to focus staff time and funding for greater impact Prioritized inclusive leadership and public engagement in conservation Integrated market-based tools across all focus areas, moving away from siloed strategies This more holistic, community-based approach supports both land protection and long-term resilience for the people and places involved.
Policy and People-Centered Colorado River and Tribal Water Rights The Colorado River, which supplies water to 40 million people and irrigates millions of acres of farmland, is under severe stress. Lakes Mead and Powell are at historic lows due to overuse and prolonged drought. With current river management rules expiring in 2026, multi-state negotiations are underway that will shape the future of water in the West.
For the first time, Tribal nations—who hold rights to 25% of the river’s water—are being meaningfully included in these talks. Their participation marks a critical step toward more equitable and climate-informed water governance.
Balancing federal and local authority Fairly distributing water reductions between Upper and Lower Basin states Incorporating climate change into long-term planning Federal Funding, Policy Shifts, and State Innovation In 2024, Colorado received significant federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act , supporting clean energy, climate, water, and wildfire projects .
Many Foundation grantees benefited from this influx of resources. However, the 2024 federal election introduced uncertainty regarding environmental protections and future funding. In response, Colorado has emerged as a national leader in environmental innovation: HB24-1379: Created the first state-level program to protect wetlands and streams after federal Clean Water Act protections were rolled back.
Proposition JJ: Passed with 76% voter support, removing a cap on sports betting revenue and directing all proceeds to water projects. The Colorado Mass Timber Coalition, supported by the Foundation, is another example of state-level innovation—bringing together diverse partners to promote sustainable building materials made from local timber, while sequestering carbon and improving forest and watershed health.
Balanced Water Management The Foundation invested in the launch of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Tribal Water Institute, which will expand water law expertise in Indian Country, strengthen education, and advocate for Tribal water rights.
The Foundation also supports the Water and Tribes Initiative, which connects 30 Tribes across the Colorado River Basin to build capacity, engage in water policy, and promote sustainable, collaborative water use. Landscape Conservation and Land Trust Capacity In 2024, the Foundation continued its commitment to private lands conservation in Southeast Colorado and the Rio Grande Headwaters.
Partners like Palmer Land Conservancy and the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust advanced community outreach, water planning, and land protection. The Foundation also gathered feedback from partners to assess future priorities and opportunities in the land conservation sector. The message was clear: there is a growing need for collaboration, multi-benefit projects, and innovative, inclusive approaches to Colorado’s landscape challenges.
The 2024 federal election has reshaped the conservation landscape. Where Foundation funding once complemented robust federal investment, it now plays a critical role in sustaining organizations and defending environmental protections. This shift has reinforced the importance of state and local leadership.
From pioneering wetland protections to new water funding mechanisms, Colorado is showing that locally rooted, community-driven solutions can be nimbler and more effective in today’s environment.
As we move forward, the Foundation remains committed to: Supporting bold, locally rooted ideas Building cross-sector partnerships Investing in resilient strategies that can thrive regardless of federal policy shifts The challenges are significant—but so are the opportunities to protect Colorado’s natural heritage in ways that are inclusive, durable, and built for the future.
Whitney Johnson, Senior Program Officer, Natural Resources Senior Program Officer, Natural Resources EDUCATION – 2024 IN REVIEW The Gates Family Foundation’s Education Program is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality public education for all students in Colorado, with a particular emphasis on those from rural and historically underserved communities.
The program focuses on three key areas, each addressing critical challenges within Colorado’s educational landscape: Innovative School Models: Supporting the development and expansion of high-performing schools and innovative programs that support students historically underserved by educational systems.
School System Innovation: Enhancing the capacity of school systems to implement evidence-based practices, improve student outcomes, and foster more responsive learning environments. Conditions that Support Innovation: Advocating for policies, practices, and community supports that enable educational innovation to thrive, while maintaining accountability for educational outcomes as a central priority.
In 2024, the Education program awarded 28 grants totaling $2. 9 million. Residual Impacts of COVID on Academic Outcomes Persisted Colorado, like many other states, continued to experience elevated rates of chronic absenteeism and lower academic proficiency compared to 2019.
However, both indicators showed positive movement. In 2024, statewide proficiency rates for students in grades three through eight ranged from 29 percent to 42 percent in math and from 42 percent to 47 percent in reading. While the year-over-year improvement in proficiency rates is encouraging, significant gaps between student subgroups remain unchanged, and there is considerable variation across districts.
Demographic Shifts and Declining Enrollment Created Financial Pressure on Districts Ongoing declines in public school enrollment continued to place financial and operational strain on school systems across Colorado. In November 2024, Denver Public Schools—Colorado’s largest district—approved the closure of seven schools, while Mesa County School District 51 closed two, and Jefferson County closed 17.
Districts statewide grappled with how to repurpose vacant school buildings. Demographic projections indicate that this trend is likely to persist well into the future. After years of discussion, Colorado’s school finance formula was rewritten to direct more funding to rural schools and high-need students.
This reform was a welcome development amid the expiration of COVID relief funds and a projected budget deficit heading into the 2025 legislative session. Colorado Schools Fund received a multi-year grant from the Foundation to support the creation and expansion of school models that improve academic outcomes for underserved populations across the state.
LYRA Colorado collaborated with policymakers and districts statewide to develop and implement the Seal of Climate Literacy—a diploma endorsement recognizing students who have completed climate education coursework and experiential learning requirements. The first cohort of graduates with this endorsement received it in May, shortly after the legislation was signed into law.
In partnership with Gary Community Ventures the Foundation launched a project to support districts interested in exploring educator housing solutions. Five districts received technical assistance and small grants to collect data and analyze potential housing options tailored to their local contexts.
A grant to The Center for Excellence in Educational Leadership provided technical assistance to several rural school districts to address teacher pipeline challenges. This effort included partnerships between districts to enroll students in shared classrooms (both in-person and virtual), as well as piloting new staffing models that move beyond the traditional “one teacher, one classroom” approach.
Conditions that Support Innovation A grant to the Colorado Children’s Campaign supported efforts to improve Colorado’s school finance system, laying the groundwork for educational innovation. The organization advocated for a more equitable funding formula that better serves rural districts and high-need students through policy analysis, coalition-building, and public engagement.
These efforts were especially timely as districts faced the end of federal COVID relief funds and looming budget constraints ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Improving Academic Outcomes: Investing in state- and district-level strategies to improve academic outcomes at scale, with a particular focus on rural and historically underserved communities.
Adapting to a Changing Landscape: A new presidential administration brings a very different v ision for the federal government’s role in K–12 education. Combined with the expiration of COVID relief funds, ongoing state budget constraints, and declining enrollment, Colorado’s educational ecosystem is likely to face significant disruption and change.
Community-Centered Solutions: Deepening partnerships with community-based organizations and advocates who understand local contexts and can help ensure that educational innovations are responsive to community needs and priorities.
Russell Ramsey, Vice President for Education Ana Soler, Senior Program Officer, Education EDUCATION – 2023 IN REVIEW Ana Soler, Senior Program Officer Gates Family Foundation is committed to advancing a Colorado where all children have access to educational opportunities that support their long-term success. We firmly believe that investing in solutions that support students who are most in need raises outcomes for all.
The Foundation’s education strategies have historically been rooted in an effort to address inequities — and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) remains an important part of our current strategy. In 2023, we also continued to shape our work in education through a Foundation-wide commitment to be responsive to the impacts of climate change and the shifting conditions caused by the pandemic.
There is much work to be done to raise outcomes for all students in Colorado. In 2023, students in nearly every grade and subject had lower rates of grade-level proficiency than before the pandemic on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) standardized tests. Across the state, only 44 percent of students met or exceed expectations in English Language Arts, and only 33 percent did so in mathematics.
Large proficiency gaps between student groups persist; a more than 30 percentage-point gap in proficiency exists between students who qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch and those who do not.
In 2023, Gates’ education program committed $3,865,600 to 31 organizations via 33 strategic grants and $1,200,000 in responsive capital grants to 25 organizations, guided by three strategies: Learning Environment Innovation This strategy includes investing in new learning models, informal out-of-system learning environments (like microschools); and investing in innovative new models or leaders who want to pilot new ideas during summer and out-of-school time.
Below are a few of the organizations that the education team had the honor of supporting: Wildflower Montessori Public Schools of Colorado expanded its reach to Grand Junction by launching five Montessori micro schools in a predominantly low-income, Latino community. La Luz is a community partner-intensive micro school for middle school students in metro Denver.
At La Luz, the school year is broken down into multi-week learning units based at community organizations. La Luz partners with community organizations, like the Denver Zoo, to co-create authentic learning experiences where students can develop skills through targeted instruction and feedback, practice and reflection, and real-world application. La Luz tracks academic and competency growth.
The micro school supported 22 students in the 2023-2024 school year and plans to support more than 40 families next school year. This strategy includes supporting multi-district community and school district partnerships that are focused on climate change education and college and career pathways.
The education staff had the honor of supporting: A three-year grant totaling $1,750,000 from Gates to Lyra Colorado in 2023 will support five rural Colorado communities as they re-envision education and workforce opportunities for students and economies and also will support the ongoing development of three innovation zones in Denver Public Schools.
Conditions for Sustained Innovation Ensuring a diverse teacher workforce in rural areas, retaining a diverse teacher workforce in urban areas, supporting advocacy that elevates student voice at the grassroots and grasstops levels, and launching and sustaining pooled funds and investments to support innovation and address new challenges in education are all strategies that strengthen conditions for sustained innovation.
Below are a few of the organizations that the education staff had the honor of supporting in 2023: Fort Lewis College (FLC) Foundation in Durango and the Southwest Indigenous Language Development Institute (SILDI).
This three-year partnership between FLC’s School of Education and three Ute tribes (Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Northern Ute Tribe) is focused on regenerating the Ute Language, developing a Ute language curriculum, and certifying Ute language teachers. Before launching SILDI, only 32 fluent Ute speakers were living. RootED plays a strong backbone role in supporting innovation in the Denver metro area.
RootEd galvanizes its advocacy grantees in support of innovation zones and protects the autonomy of district schools. RootEd is a solid partner in the Organizing Educations in Colorado (OEC) Funder Collaborative which supports grassroots education advocacy.
In 2023 RootED, Denver Families, City Fund, Lyra and others helped each new board member understand the importance of innovation schools and zones as an option within the Denver Public Schools portfolio. Also in 2023, RootEd launched the Denver Education Explorer .
The platform hosts two tools for exploring local school data: — Denver School Insights is a free, public dashboard intended for use by elected officials, education organizations, and people who are interested in district academic outcomes at a citywide or regional level.
The dashboard provides accessible, comprehensive, and transparent school information to highlight bright spots in academic growth; identify persistent challenges; understand where additional support for schools is needed, and hold district leaders accountable. — The Mile High School Guide helps parents and caregivers choose a public school in Denver that best fits the needs of their child.
The guide provides detailed information about each school, allowing users to view and compare academic information, student and teacher demographics, social-emotional supports, enrichment opportunities, and more In addition to grantmaking, Foundation staff work to convening stakeholders and funding partners for collective action.
Highlights from 2023 include: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Gates Family Foundation continuously examines how our organization fulfills its mission and how best to integrate DEI in all levels and aspects of our work. Gates’ education staff was part of the team that created an Equity in Action plan outlining steps to address DEI issues across the Foundation.
Education staff also joined a national DEI practitioners’ group that includes the Walton Family Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and others to share best practices, resources, and strategies to cultivate equity and belonging.
As a result of these efforts, the Foundation board and staff welcomed new members with diverse perspectives and backgrounds, included DEI goals in new board member training, increased program officer accessibility, and began the process of revising our grant applications to include a DEI lens. In April 2023, in partnership with Caring for Colorado and Caring for Denver, Gates Family Foundation launched the Youth and Policy Impact Group.
The group is focused on supporting efforts to capture and elevate youth voices to inform policy at the school, district, city, and state levels so that the entire education system can be more responsive to the needs of young people. The group has drafted a mission, outlined several strategies, and plans to increase funder participation in 2024.
Gates also continues to be a member of the Organizing for Education in Colorado (OEC) Funder Collaborative (formerly “CEO”). Other members in 2023 included Wend Collective, RootEd, and Rose Community Foundation. Together, the group pooled and distributed a total of $235,000 to nine organizations focused on implementing a community plan to advocate for a policy or practice change.
In 2023, an external evaluation of OEC was conducted by RootEd Growth. The methodology included 12 interviews with funders, and grantees, past and current, and two focus groups with young people who have been involved with OEC-funded initiatives.
A key finding indicates that OEC reached its primary goal of increasing the voice and power of those least represented or heard in the educational system through its grantmaking efforts and processes. The study found that OEC’s strategic efforts contributed to a paradigm shift in Colorado’s educational system where organizing is now perceived to improve school systems. OEC participants will host a reception in 2024 to share results.
2023 GRANTS AND IMPACT INVESTMENTS AWARDED: EDUCATION Conditions for Sustained Innovation Archuleta County Education Center Arrupe Jesuit High School Learning Environment Innovation Learning Environment Innovation Axis International Academy Battle Rock Charter School Learning Environment Innovation Be the Change Community School Learning Environment Innovation Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley Chaffee County Childcare Initiative Conditions for Sustained Innovation > Addressing Civic News Gaps Learning Environment Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Colorado Charter Facility Solutions Conditions for Sustained Innovation Colorado Children’s Campaign Conditions for Sustained Innovation Colorado League of Charter Schools Conditions for Sustained Innovation Colorado League of Charter Schools Learning Environment Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Compass for Lifelong Discovery Learning Environment Innovation Ednium The Alumni Collective Conditions for Sustained Innovation Empower Community High School Learning Environment Innovation Fort Lewis College Foundation Learning Environment Innovation Learning Environment Innovation Kwiyagat Community Academy Learning Environment Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Learning Environment Innovation Metropolitan State University of Denver Learning Environment Innovation Muslim Youth for Positive Impact Conditions for Sustained Innovation National Wildlife Federation New Legacy Charter High School Learning Environment Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Learning Environment Innovation Learning Environment Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation Sims-Fayola Foundation, Inc.
Conditions for Sustained Innovation Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative Learning Environment Innovation Special Education Leader Fellowship c/o Propeller Conditions for Sustained Innovation Learning Environment Innovation Conditions for Sustained Innovation The Wildflower Foundation The Wildflower Foundation Learning Environment Innovation Think 360 Arts For Learning Inc.
Conditions for Sustained Innovation University of Colorado at Denver Conditions for Sustained Innovation
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Elected, appointed, or career public officials serving in state, county, or local government roles within Colorado. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $17,000 toward tuition (Fellow or employer pays the remaining $900 balance) Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is March 2, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
