Reisher Scholars Yulia Pastukhova, left, Natalie Moriah Kellett and Youstbi Djuanvat attend the University of Colorado Denver.
When it comes to helping those in need, Coloradans are a generous bunch. The best, and most recent, example is Colorado Gives Day, the 2012 edition of which raised an astonishing $15 million for 1,258 nonprofit organizations in a 24-hour period.
Many more examples abound, and that has inspired the Denver Foundation to launch Give, a magazine that can be accessed in digital format by visiting the Denver Foundation website. Hard copies and publication details can be obtained by calling 303-300-1790.
Give will contain stories of “transformative philanthropy,” trends in giving, charitable advice, interviews and ways for individuals, families, and organizations in every corner of the community to become involved.
“Our community has an outstanding history of generosity,” observes David Miller, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “From Charles Boettcher to Madam C.J. Walker, from Emily Griffith to Bill Daniels, metro Denver is a place where entrepreneurs find success and philanthropists make their mark.”
The publication debuted at a reception held at Cherry, a nightclub in Cherry Creek North.
The cover photo features three Reisher Scholarship recipients who, Miller says, “Represent generosity in action and the promise of a new generation.” They are but five of almost 800 Coloradans whose college dreams have been funded by the Reisher family, founders of Colorado’s FirstBank.
At the launch party, short reflections about the stories and people featured in the first issue were shared by FirstBank’s West Region president Emily Robinson; Cori Plotkin Streetman and Sarah Hogan, partners at Barefoot PR and co-authors of an article about engaging the NOW Generation; and entrepreneur and philanthropist Marco Antonio Abarca, whose parents co-founded Ready Foods.
Abarca shared how he and his parents, who came to the U.S. from Mexico, were profoundly impacted by the many ways people have demonstrated generosity in their lives. “My parents sent me to college and law school, but the quid pro quo was for me to give back,” Abarca said.
The Denver Foundation, Colorado’s oldest and largest, is a community foundation dedicated to improving life in Metro Denver through philanthropy, leadership, and strengthening the community. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $47 million in grants.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com and @GetItWrite on Twitter