Annual Report 2018-19 - Denver Scholarship Foundation

Letter from Lorii

Dear friends,

As I reflect on Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF)’s most recent fiscal year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our family of incredible Scholars, Alumni, partners, staff, donors, and supporters. Whether you know it or not, there is a good chance that DSF has impacted you, or someone you know. DSF is made up of 7,020 Scholars and Alumni; 3,249 seniors and their families; 4,571 donors; 60 staff members; 31 College Partners; countless friends, family, and followers; and one mission that brings us all together.

When we look back to what started it all, it’s no surprise that DSF’s roots run so deeply through Denver after only 13 years.

In 2004, a promise was made to a classroom of Denver Public Schools (DPS) second graders: if you envision a brighter future for yourself and your family, your community will dream your dreams with you. DSF emerged in 2006 to make good on this promise by ensuring ALL of Denver’s students have access to a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree—a clear pathway to a brighter future.

At the heart of our work, is this vision of a community that collaborates to make college possible for all of our students. This year, we heard resounding confirmation from Denver’s voters that we can, and must, achieve this goal for our future, together. By leveraging support from the Denver College Success Corporation, and deepening our relationships with philanthropic partners, DSF continues to expand our college access programming, scholarships, and college success services for even more DPS students.

Driven by the three pillars of DSF’s new strategic plan, To and Through 2022, our sights are set on sustainability, connectivity, and visibility. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and working alongside us to make college possible for DSF Scholars.

Sincerely,

Lorii Rabinowitz
Chief Executive Officer | Denver Scholarship Foundation

College Access

In the 2018-19 school year...

DSF staff operated 14 Future Centers serving 21 Denver Public Schools high schools.

DSF College Advisors worked proactively with 3,249 seniors and their families.

DSF served 1,000 TRIO Talent Search participants in 9th-12th grade at nine schools.

DSF Helps Denver Students in Journey to Find Right College

A new school year brings on another class of seniors preparing for the next chapter after graduation, and DSF has teamed up with DPS to give students the college-going guidance they need.

“I am a person who hopefully can encourage [students] to realize the potential in themselves,” said Jasmine Rainey, DSF College Advisor at George Washington High School.

Read More >
From Future Center to Future Doctor: Navigating the Path to College

Maryanuth (Mary) Keang, a senior at South High School, spends hours every week in school clinics across Denver Public Schools. As a youth advisor with Denver Public Health, Mary is helping to launch and evaluate its school-based clinic program, which operates 17 clinics in schools around the district. In her role, she evaluates clinics and advocates for students who use them. She also helps to promote awareness of clinic services among students by creating promotional materials and conducting outreach.

“It is an amazing feeling to advocate for people my age, especially in women’s health issues,” Mary reflects. “I am doing everything I can to help people. My work addresses the issues that no one talks about, and I bring them to light.” Read More >
Volunteer Does it All for Students in the Future Center

After a successful career in the oil and gas industry, Majorie (Marge) Kercher now focuses her attention on giving back to the community by providing a spark for students to continue their educational journeys to and through college. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native has been volunteering with DSF since 2017 and has worked at both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College and George Washington High School, serving alongside Jasmine Rainey, DSF College Advisor.

Marge and Jasmine have developed a close partnership which is why Marge happily started working at the George Washington High School Future Center once Jasmine became a lead advisor and transferred from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College campus. Marge’s day-to-day projects include data entry, editing and reviewing scholarship applications, and conducting mock interviews. Read More >

Scholarships

DSF provided 1,779 scholarships to esteemed and determined Scholars in Denver.

DSF provided $4.9 million in scholarship dollars to graduates of Denver Public Schools pursuing a college education.

DSF surpassed $43.4 million in scholarships awarded to 7,020 Denver Public Schools graduates since the fall of 2007.

88% of Scholars were first-generation college students and 90% identify as students of color.

National First-Generation College Student Day recognizes those who are first in their family to go to college

Hassan Mustefa is a senior studying business administration at the University of Colorado Denver.

He and his sisters represent the first generation in his family to go to college. Neither of their parents had the opportunity to attend high school and left Eithiopia thirty years ago to find a better life for their kids. Read More >
It’s in the numbers: DSF Scholar finds passion in finance

For DSF Scholar and first generation college student Daniel Rivera-Ibarra, life is more than a numbers game.

Growing up in Denver, Daniel’s father worked long days while his mother stayed home to take care of him and his two siblings. Through many hours spent practicing multiplication and division with his mom after school, Daniel’s fascination with numbers turned into a passion for finance. Read More >
Giving Back at DSF Annual Gala Brings Coleman Family Together

DSF Board Member Jonathan Coleman and his wife Aimee have attended many DSF Annual Galas from the time they became involved with the organization at its inception in 2006. But last year, Jonathan and Aimee brought two special guests to the DSF Annual Gala for the first time: their children, Emerson, 14, and Quincy, 12.

At their Annual Gala dinner table last year, Emerson and Quincy met DSF Alumna Nabaa Hashim. As an immigrant from Iraq, Nabaa shared that coming to America gave her the opportunity to go to college and earn her bachelor’s degree with the help of the DSF Scholarship. Read More >

College Success

Since 2013, 80% of DSF Scholars have graduated or continue to succeed in technical college, community college, or university.

DSF partners with 31 technical colleges, community colleges and universities in Colorado to provide on-campus support for Scholars.

On average, each year our Scholars receive $2 in additional financial aid from our College Partners for every $1 they receive from DSF.

On Auraria Campus, DSF Campus Advisors help Scholars build bridges

In the early fall, the Auraria Campus was buzzing with the excitement of a new college semester. Students decorated their academic planners with due dates, sifted through important reminder emails in their inboxes and hole-punched their course syllabi organized in their binders. Through the flurry of deadlines and information, DSF Scholars counted on their DSF Campus Advisors at the Community College of Denver (CCD), Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), and the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) to help them navigate through the ups and downs of college. Read More >
DSF Helping Graduates Stabilize & Feel Less Stressed

Families, friends, and even Gov. Jared Polis, filled the City Park Pavilion at the 2019 DSF Graduation Celebration to mark a crowning achievement – the graduation of a special group of scholars.

“It feels amazing!” Seraphine Nguyen said. “That four years went by super quick. I feel like I just left high school and here I am leaving college.” Read More >
DSF Scholar, Alumni mentorship pairs share success

After a summer of planning and preparation, the Alumni Advisory Committee (AAC) of Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is gearing up to kick off its Mentorship Program this fall. Now in its second year, the program empowers DSF Scholars and Alumni to grow professionally while inspiring them to contribute to the Denver community through individualized mentorship.

Mentor and mentee pairs enjoy several large-group events over the course of their year-long commitment to the program. These events include mentorship development and community building workshops, as well as social gatherings. Pairs set their own meeting schedules and aim to check-in with each other about once a month. However, many participants find that their meetings and check-ins happen more frequently, and organically, throughout the year. Read More >

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

Career Pathway Exploration

Immersion Field Trips Inspire Students to Pursue Skilled Trades Education

DSF partners with the Community College of Denver (CCD), Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffth) and various other community supporters to show Denver Public Schools students how a certificate or associate degree can prepare them for a successful career pathway in the growing fields of skilled trades.

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College Partner of the Year

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) serves the largest group of DSF Scholars of all of our College Partners. Their commitment to the success of DSF Scholars shines through our unique partnership, which has created the DSF Leadership Program and facilitated the installation of DSF Campus Advisor staff at MSU Denver.

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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

DSF Named Top Workplace in 2019

Thanks to the votes of DSF’s team of 60 employees, DSF achieved #4 on the Denver Post’s 2019 list of Top Workplaces in the small company/organization category.

View

Congratulations Class of 2019

Graduation Celebration

DSF celebrated our graduating Scholars and welcomed our incoming Scholarship Finalists into the DSF community at our annual Graduation Celebration on June 4.

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Annual Gala 2018

Celebrating our Scholars

Thanks to the support of many, our Annual Gala 2018 raised over $1.2 million dollars for Denver’s students!

View

Celebrating our Volunteers

DSF Builds Strong Volunteer Program with Community Support

It was a banner year for both DSF and our team of volunteers. DSF staff launched DSF’s Volunteer Forward movement, which was met with tremendous enthusiasm from the community.

View

Honor Roll

Support from generous donors like you brings our work to life. Thank you for making college possible!

$1,000,000+

Colorado Department of Higher Education
Denver Public Schools

$500,000 – $999,999

United States Department of Education

$200,000 – $499,999

Anonymous
The Anschutz Foundation
Stead Family Foundation

$100,000 – $199,999

The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
Daniels Fund
Harvey Family Foundation
Thelma and Robert W. Scott Scholarship Trust

$50,000 – $99,999

Ball Foundation
Cathey M. and Richard Finlon
The LARRK Foundation
Katie MacWilliams
Peierls Foundation
The Cielo Foundation
Britney and Richard Weil

$25,000 – $49,999

Arrow Electronics
Linda S. Bowman, Ph.D. and Roger Bowman
CoorsTek
The Regis F. Groff Foundation
Mile High United Way
Newmont Goldcorp
RootED
Salazar Family Foundation
Linda and Richard Schierburg
Connie Burwell White and William W. White Foundation

$10,000 – $24,999

Alpine Bank
AMG National Trust Bank
Better Business Bureau Serving Denver/Boulder
Councilwoman Kendra Black and Eric Black
Joe Blake
Donna Bates Boucher
The Colorado Health Foundation
Colorado School of Mines
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Denver Post Season to Share
Dana and Barry Dorfman
Renee and John Elofson
Enerplus Corporation
GCC of America, Inc.
Group14 Engineering
The Frederic C. Hamilton Family Foundation
The Honorable John Hickenlooper and Mrs. Robin Pringle Hickenlooper
Ibex Investors
IMA Foundation
Suzanne and Steven Johnson
The Kettering Family Foundation
Libby Anschutz Foundation
Sharon and Greg Maffei
MDC / Richmond American Homes Foundation
Nancy and Skip Miller
Rachel Baumel and Daniel Mitzner
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
OfficeScapes Group
The Roth Education Foundation
David Scanavino, M.D.
The Sturm Family Foundation
Suncor Energy
Mrs. Thomas E. Taplin
TE Connectivity
The Herbert & Judy Paige Family Foundation
Union Pacific
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Denver
US Bank
Wiegers Family Foundation

$5,000 – $9,999

Jeanette and Steve Abelman
Libby Anschutz and Jeffrey T. Allen
Arrow ECS
Laura Barton and Willie Matthews
Rachel Brady and Thomas F. Brady, Ph.D.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Aimee and Jonathan Coleman
Mary Sue and Kenneth Coleman
Colorado State University
Julanna Gilbert, Ph.D. and Robert D. Coombe, Ph.D.
CRL Associates
CSG
Davis Graham & Stubbs
Delta Dental Plan of Colorado
Suzanne and Robert Fanch
FirstBank
Rhondda and Peter Grant
Gyan-i Inc.
Michelle and John Hanley
Holland & Hart LLP
Infineon
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Keller Family Fund at the Denver Foundation
Kenneth King Foundation
Mitzi and Stephen Kurtz
Liberty Global, Inc.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Jody and Scott Nycum
Taylor and Mike Pardun
Margot and Marc Pinto
Ready Foods
Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C.
Schlessman Family Foundation, Inc.
Therese Ivancovich and Gregory Sissel
Kim Benson and Allen Staver
Arlene Bobrow and Charles Tanabe
Helen Thorpe
Titus Foundation
Tracy Family Foundation
University of Colorado
University of Colorado Denver
Vectra Bank Colorado
VOCA Public Relations
Kristin Waters, Ph.D. and William Waters
Celia and Tom Wattles
Western Union Foundation

$2,500 – $4,999

First Western Trust Bank
Harmes C. Fishback Foundation Trust
Jayne Ford
Ashleigh and Daniel Fredrickson
L. C. Fulenwider III
Shannon Gifford and Jerrold L. Glick
Aubrey Gordon
Neal Groff
Holland & Knight LLP
Kaleidoscope Design
Andy King
Jean and Terry Laverty
Evi and Evan Makovsky
Ellen Marritt
McGeady Becher
Judy and Charlie McNeil
Alana Watkins and Blake Meservey
Michael Young Family Foundation
Erin and Andy Miller
NexGen Resources Corporation
Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti PC
Cintra Pollack
Rose Community Foundation
Anonymous
Silicon Labs
John C. Spencer
Natasha and Scott Stutzman
Rebecca and Jeff Taylor
The Rockjensen Foundation
Ryan Tracy
Amy and David West
Martha L. Wofford and John G. Knight

$1,000 – $2,499

Jeremy Anderson
Carrie Augustine and Trent Niemeyer
Martha Awad
Richard Baer
Maricela Barbosa-Galvez and Rupert Galvez
Barbara and Frederick Baumann
Chris Beatty
Cody and Seth Belzley
Art Blomberg
Michael Brayer
BuildStrong Education
Rodolfo Canon
Lucy and William Cassidy
Merle Chambers
Rachel and Christopher Chism
Colfax Marathon Partnership, Inc
Colorado Convention Center
Community Foundation Boulder County
Congdon Orchards
Joann and John Congdon
Virginia and G. Kevin Conwick
Victoria Cooper
Cultivator Advertising & Design
Patricia Poggi and Stuart Davis
Gayla Lewis and Duke DeGrassi
Lindsay and Bob Deibel
DHR International
Connie Dines
Dr. Elaine Dorward-King
Susan and Jim Dreisbach
Helen Drexler
Rae Ann Bories-Easley and Nathaniel Easley, Ph.D.
Alex Easton
Samuel Engel
Ernst & Young
Janice and Scott Fisher
Jamie Gard
Burgess and Mark Goodman
Green Valley Ranch Foundation
Lyndia and Cannon Harvey
Cheryl and Scott Hefner
Kathryn and William Heissenbuttel
James Hidahl
Christopher L. Higgins DC, PC
Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld
Sharon Kelly and Andrew Holleman
Callie and Fritz Holleman
Ruth and George Hopfenbeck
Dorothy Horrell, Ph.D. and Ted Horrell
Heidi and Bruce Hoyt
Linda Huang, M.D. and Charles Holum
Brian Hunt
Todd Jackson
JobPlex Inc., A DHR International Company
Ron Klump
Amy Zupon and Gabriel Koroluk
Chuck Kostalnick
Lockton Companies
Jodi and Jason Maples
Sharon and Lanny Martin
Marguerite Martin
Eric Mattson
Stacey and Dan May
Jan Mayer
McDowell Family Foundation
MegaStar Financial Corp.
Amber and Michael Milos
LeeAnn and M. Robert Morrill
Carolina Nabavian
Thuy Nguyen
Sara O’Keefe
Oracle
Vince Pastor
Trent Peaker
Leonard & Alice Perlmutter Charitable Foundation
Theress Pidick
Christy and Martin Pocs
Rick Poppe
Rona Press
Lorii Rabinowitz
Records-Johnston Family Foundation, Inc.
Reuler Lewin Foundation, Inc.
Lisa and John Robinson
Mark Sirangelo
Chris Strother
Brian Toomey
Pegi and Michael Touff
John Vaughey
Lisa and Sachin Verma
Travis Webb
Western Paper Fun Bunch
Steven Woodward
Susan and Paul Zoby

Financials

The DSF mission gives our donors something worth investing in, and our fiscal responsibility solidifies their sound return on investment.

Statement of Activities

Support and Revenue

Expenses

Statement of Financial Position

Support and Revenue

Liabilities and Net Assets

Statements of financial position and activities as of June 30, 2019.

DSF Board

Our board of directors, comprised of leaders invested in the success of every Denver Public Schools student, shapes the future and direction of DSF.

Board of Directors list current as of June 30, 2019.

Linda S. Bowman, Chair
Vice Provost & Senior Vice Chancellor,
University of Colorado Denver

Tom G. Wattles, Treasurer
Executive Chairman of the Board,
DCT Industrial, Inc.

John A. Elofson, Secretary
Partner,
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP

Cathey M. Finlon, Past Chair
Retired CEO & Chair,
McClain Finlon

Steve E. Abelman
Shareholder,
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Jeff T. Allen
Chief Executive Officer,
Nodin

Luella Chavez D’Angelo
Vice President – Marketing & Communications,
Centura Health

Seth R. Belzley
Partner,
Holland & Knight LLP

Andy Boian
Founder & CEO,
Dovetail Solutions

Tom F. Brady
Former Chief Economist,
Newmont Mining Corporation

Jonathan Coleman
Portfolio Manager,
Janus Henderson

Luis A. Colón
Chief Development Officer,
Mile High United Way

Bob D. Coombe
Chancellor Emeritus,
University of Denver

Bob F. Deibel
President & Owner,
OfficeScapes Group

Barry Dorfman
President, Rocky Mountain Region,
Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.

Mark D. Fallon
President & CEO,
Envirocon, Inc.

Jayne Ford
Vice President,
Green Peak Partners

John J. Hanley
Managing Director,
J.P. Morgan Private Bank

John A. Ikard
Retired CEO,
FirstBank Holding Company

Irma Lockridge
Chief People & Systems Officer,
CoorsTek

Katie L. MacWilliams
Community Volunteer

R. Scott Nycum, Jr.
Retired Vice Chairman,
J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Mike Pardun
Chief Executive Officer,
Standard Alcohol, Inc.

Martin Pocs
Vice Chairman,
DHR International

Rich A. Schierburg
Owner,
Peregrine Group Development

Don A. Silversmith
Chairman,
First Western Trust Bank

Mike R. Starzer
Chairman & CEO, Fifth Creek Energy Company Director,
HighPoint Resources Corporation

Anne Trujillo
Evening News Anchor & Multimedia Journalist,
Denver7 News

Martha L. Wofford
Group Vice President,
DaVita, Inc.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Susana Cordova
Superintendent,
Denver Public Schools

Lorii Rabinowitz
Chief Executive Officer,
Denver Scholarship Foundation

DSF Staff

From advising high school students to processing scholarship payments, the impact of DSF staff serves as the heartbeat of DSF.

Staff list current as of June 30, 2019.

Executive Management

Nathan Cadena
Chief Operating Officer

Aleah Horstman
Chief Development Officer

Lorii Rabinowitz
Chief Executive Officer

Patti Schwartzberg
Chief Financial Officer

Communications & Development

Rachelle Beisel
Director of Major Gifts

Sophie Bieluczyk
Events Manager

Robin DeGrassi James
Senior Development Manager

Caroline Glynn Neal
Communications Manager

Latia Henderson
Director of Marketing and Events

Jessica Milnes
Director of Development

Corey Steagall
Development Coordinator

Program & Administration

Renae Bellew
Senior Program Director

Natasha Garfield
Assistant Director of Scholarships

Humberto Guerrero
TRIO Assistant Director

Gabe Guindon
Director of College Access

Michelle Camacho Liu
Director of College Success

Stephanie López
College Success Coordinator

Brittany Matteson
CTE Program Manager

Angrith Na
Data & Evaluation Manager

Thuy Nguyen
Office Manager / Executive Assistant

Caryn Oppenheim
Volunteer Manager

Paul Phillips
Scholarship Program Specialist

Maria Rangel Leon
Scholarship Data Specialist

Heather Scott
Director of IT Services

Renee Sime
Staff Accountant

Leticia Treviño
TRIO Talent Search Director

Shruthi Vasudeva
Salesforce Business Analyst

Patricia Whitehouse
Director of Human Resources

Campus Advisors

Ashton Clouse
Lead Campus Advisor, Auraria Campus

Lidia Alvarez
Campus Advisor, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Jason Doyle
Campus Advisor, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Fryda Faugier Ferreira
Ferreira Campus Advisor, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Maria Finan
Campus Advisor, University of Colorado Denver

Molly Gallegos
Campus Advisor, Community College of Denver

Josué Loma
Campus Advisor, University of Colorado Denver

Rena Maez
Campus Advisor, Community College of Denver

Adrian Mendoza
Campus Advisor, Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver

College Advisors

Diana Madriz
Lead College Advisor, Manual High School

Jasmine Rainey
Lead College Advisor, George Washington High School

Federico Rangel
Lead College Advisor, West Campus

Zulema Sierra
Lead College Advisor, North High School

Luis Antezana Alba
College Advisor, Abraham Lincoln High School

Danté Bills
College Advisor, South High School

Vincent Caricato
College Advisor, East High School

Samantha Garcia
College Advisor, Bruce Randolph School

Ismael Garcia
TRIO College Advisor, Northeast Early College

Myrna Hernandez
TRIO College Advisor, North High School

Emma Kepes
College Advisor, Abraham Lincoln High School

Denise Kupetz
TRIO College Advisor, Northeast Early College

Dalia Lopez Guzman
TRIO Assistant College Advisor, Montbello Campus

Ambria Merriex
College Advisor, John F. Kennedy High School

Zachary Montez
College Advisor, Northfield High School

Obinna Onyeali
College Advisor, Montbello Campus

Mimi Smith
Colorado College Fellow, George Washington High School

Salem Tewelde
Colorado College Fellow, East High School and South High School

Sophie Vogel
College Advisor, Thomas Jefferson High School

Emily Weiss
College Advisor, John F. Kennedy High School

Derrek Sandoval
College Advisor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College

2018-19 Annual Report

Letter from Lorii

College Access

In the 2018-19 school year...

DSF Helps Denver Students in Journey to Find Right College

From Future Center to Future Doctor: Navigating the Path to College

Volunteer Does it All for Students in the Future Center

Scholarships

National First-Generation College Student Day recognizes those who are first in their family to go to college

It’s in the numbers: DSF Scholar finds passion in finance

Giving Back at DSF Annual Gala Brings Coleman Family Together

College Success

On Auraria Campus, DSF Campus Advisors help Scholars build bridges

DSF Helping Graduates Stabilize & Feel Less Stressed

DSF Scholar, Alumni mentorship pairs share success

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

Career Pathway Exploration

Immersion Field Trips Inspire Students to Pursue Skilled Trades Education

College Partner of the Year

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

DSF Named Top Workplace in 2019

Congratulations Class of 2019

Graduation Celebration

Annual Gala 2018

Celebrating our Scholars

Celebrating our Volunteers

DSF Builds Strong Volunteer Program with Community Support

Honor Roll

$1,000,000+

$500,000 – $999,999

$200,000 – $499,999

$100,000 – $199,999

$50,000 – $99,999

$25,000 – $49,999

$10,000 – $24,999

$5,000 – $9,999

$2,500 – $4,999

$1,000 – $2,499

Financials

Statement of Activities

Support and Revenue

Expenses

Statement of Financial Position

Support and Revenue

Liabilities and Net Assets

DSF Board

DSF Staff

Executive Management

Communications & Development

Program & Administration

Campus Advisors

College Advisors

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