Written by
Lynne Valencia
DENVER - The Foundation was established more than 65 years ago. Its purpose is to make philanthropic investments statewide that contribute to the quality of life in Colorado, create opportunities for youth and support stewardship of this extraordinary place, particularly the state's natural inheritance. Since its establishment, the Foundation has made $215 million of investments across Colorado toward these ends.
During 2011, the Gates Family Foundation undertook a comprehensive update of its Strategic Plan. What has emerged from this strategic planning process is a new approach that combines capital grant making with Foundation-initiated activity in a limited number of priority areas.
Consistent with the core values and historic interests of the Foundation, the trustees have committed to increase its efforts in responding to four long-term challenges facing the state:
1) The challenge of educating all of our children - A significant proportion of Colorado children are not achieving the minimum level of academic proficiency necessary for success in later life. A growing population of children faces limited prospects and dramatically reduced opportunities to participate in the economic and social life of Colorado communities, let alone function as global citizens.
2) The challenge of providing responsible stewardship of our natural resources - Colorado's natural resources face challenges due to climate change, substantial declines in forest health, increased potential for catastrophic wildfires, invasive species and significant impacts due to energy development and growth of the recreational economy. Population growth increases pressures on natural systems and drives the conversion of more land and water to urban use.
3) The challenge of accommodating more people - Colorado's population is anticipated to double within the next 40-50 years. The kinds of communities we create to accommodate the needs of this much larger population will have profound implications for many aspects of life in urban and rural communities throughout the state.
4) The uncertain future of rural communities - Rural communities and rural culture are an essential part of the identity and character of Colorado. But the future facing rural communities is full of challenges. Many face unprecedented growth pressures, while others are struggling to survive.
In order to address these challenges in a more strategic manner, starting in 2012 the Foundation will be moving to a hybrid grant making model that combines traditional responsive capital grant making with a new set of Foundation-initiated activities focused on specific outcomes.
The Foundation will also begin using Program Related Investments (PRIs) as a vehicle for increasing its near term impact. PRIs include various forms of mission-related low interest loans and recyclable investments. Within priority areas, the Foundation hopes to move beyond the traditional funder/applicant relationship to a more collaborative and proactive grant making approach. The Foundation will focus more on outcomes and seek out local and national partners that can contribute to progress toward those outcomes.
More detail on these changes can be found on their website: www.gatesfamilyfoundation.org.
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