Who We Support: Grantees
The Donnell-Kay Foundation supports non-profit organizations in early childhood and public education that encourage the development of children who are ready to succeed in school. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The Foundation does accept concept papers that address statewide educational policy issues.
Examples of organizations (and their missions) we support include:
A+ Denver:
Making Denver's public schools the best in the nation and moving it to the top of the community's agenda. Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB): Advancing excellence in public education through effective leadership by locally elected school boards.
Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE):
Supporting the Colorado Superintendent Study and the Accountability Project, led by CASE.
Colorado Children's Campaign:
Since 1985, the Colorado Children's Campaign has worked to mobilize individuals and organizations to think and act on behalf of children, with particular attention to the health, education and safety of children most at risk.
Colorado Succeeds:
A non-profit, non-partisan, coalition of business leaders committed to education excellence and preparing every child to succeed in a competitive international environment.
Envision Schools Colorado:
Colorado foundation and education leaders were impressed with Envision Schools education model and track record of success and cultivated a partnership with the CA-based Envision to replicate their model and create a Colorado-based non-profit charter management organization that will open and support a network of six high perfoming schools in the Denver metro-area serving students in grades 6-12. The first two charter schools have been approved by the Denver Public Schools and will open in 2009 and 2010.
Denver Public Schools:
The mission of DPS is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society.
In addition to district support, Donnell-Kay also provided support for the Pay For Performance Pilot Project which led to the district-wide ratification of a new salary system that will pay teachers for improving student achievement, as well as other accomplishments that closely align their work with DPS instructional goals and priorities.
Metropolitan Organizations of People (MOP):
MOP trains volunteer community leaders to re-weave the web of relationships in community so that they can effectively work together across race, class and language barriers to rediscover a common good leading to a higher quality of life for our families, children and neighbors.
Padres Unidos:
With roots in the struggle for educational justice, Padres has evolved into a multi-issue organization that is led by people of color who fight for educational equity, student rights and justice for immigrants.
Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC):
To cultivate excellence in all public schools so all students succeed in learning and in life.
In addition to supporting the general operation of PEBC, Donnell-Kay also supports the organization's Facing History Project, a nationally acclaimed program that trains public school teachers in the "Facing History and Ourselves" curriculum and supports schools to engage youth in civic action projects through a Leadership mini-grant program.
Stand For Children:
Stand for Children is a citizen voice for children whose mission is to use the power of grassroots action to help all children get the excellent public education and strong support they need to thrive. Colorado is Stand for Children's newest state affiliate. About a quarter of ColoradoÕs high school students do not graduate on time, and high school graduation rates for students of color are significantly lower. We're building our affiliate in Colorado in order to improve these results by supporting key education reforms at the local and statewide levels.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education:
WICHE and its 15 member states work to improve access to higher education and ensure student success. Their student exchange programs, regional initiatives, and their research and policy work allow them to assist students, policymakers, educators, and institutional, business and community leaders throughout the West and beyond.