For Immediate Release
September 17, 2009
THE DENVER FOUNDATION RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
FOR INCLUSIVENESS PROJECT
Inclusiveness Project receives Critical Impact Award from Council on Foundations
DENVER- The Denver Foundation announced today that it received the 2009 Critical Impact Award from the Council on Foundations in recognition for the work of its
Inclusiveness Project.
"In bestowing the 2009 Critical Impact Award on The Denver Foundation, we acknowledge your organization's innovative leadership and bold vision to enhance the common good through effective grantmaking," says Steve Gunderson, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C.
The Award honors The Denver Foundation's Inclusiveness Project, which has made documented, sustained progress in helping Metro Denver nonprofit organizations to become more inclusive of people of color. While The Denver Foundation is actively committed to inclusiveness of people from all backgrounds, the Inclusiveness Project focuses its limited resources on issues of race - an issue nonprofits report to be the most challenging to address. Research conducted on the implementation of the Inclusiveness Project's strategies shows that organizations report significant improvement in their operations and ability to achieve their missions as they become more inclusive.
The Council on Foundations created the Critical Impact Award to recognize foundations that have made a significant difference and to share with the public examples of "philanthropy at its finest." A committee of nationally-recognized leaders in the philanthropic sector selects the award winners.
"We are honored that the Council on Foundation recognized the important work of the Inclusiveness Project," says María Guajardo, a member of The Denver Foundation's Board and chair of the Inclusiveness Project steering committee. "Along with the Award, the Council has also encouraged us strongly to share this program with our colleagues in the field so that others can learn from our work."
In addition to support from The Denver Foundation, the Inclusiveness Project has received funding from the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
About the Inclusiveness Project: Created by The Denver Foundation in 2002 as the Expanding Nonprofit Inclusiveness Initiative, the Inclusiveness Project works to build more inclusive nonprofit organizations, increase the number of people of color involved in the nonprofit sector, and spread the word about the benefits and importance of nonprofits becoming more inclusive. For more information, visit
www.nonprofitinclusiveness.org.
About The Denver Foundation: The Denver Foundation is a community foundation that inspires people and mobilizes resources to improve life in Metro Denver. Last year, the Foundation awarded $68 million in grants. The Denver Foundation has three roles: stewarding an endowment to meet current and future needs for Metro Denver, working with community leaders to address the core challenges that face the community, and managing over 800 charitable funds on behalf of individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit
www.denverfoundation.org.
Contact: Rebecca Arno, ext. 107 or Angelle Fouther, ext. 121 at 303-300-1790
rarno@denverfoundation.org (or)
afouther@denverfoundation.org