No Kid Should be Priced Out of Playing Sports
Salute to Excellence Finalists Announced
Daniels Fund Announces Finalists for the
2025 Medal of Excellence
Three nonprofit organizations recognized for outstanding impact and in the running for $250,000 prize
The Daniels Fund announced the three finalists for the prestigious 2025 Daniels Fund Medal of Excellence, an annual award celebrating outstanding nonprofit organizations creating lasting, positive change in their communities. One organization will be named as the winner at the Salute to Excellence awards on January 29, 2025, and will receive $250,000 to support their mission. Each of the two runner-up organizations will receive $100,000 to advance their work.
Now in its second year, the Salute to Excellence recognizes top-performing Daniels Fund grantees selected for their transformative impact, alignment with Bill Daniels’ legacy, and outstanding leadership.
The finalists for this year’s Medal of Excellence include:
- The Child Development Center of Natrona County ( cdccasper.org ), transforming the lives of children with developmental disabilities, and helping them reach their full potential by providing early intervention and compassionate care.
- CrossPurpose ( crosspurpose.org ), committed to helping individuals overcome the cycle of poverty and transforming lives through a combination of community support and comprehensive job training.
- Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) ( buildwithtact.org ), empowering young people with autism by providing hands-on training in skilled trades, and opening doors to meaningful careers and brighter futures.
“Bill Daniels’ vision was to support organizations that are leading the way in making a transformative impact in their communities and truly changing lives,” said Hanna Skandera, President & CEO of the Daniels Fund. “These outstanding finalists are doing exactly that, and we look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements.” The three finalists were selected to advance from a group of six semi-finalists which included Denver School of Science & Technology, New Legacy Charter School, and Special Olympics of Colorado.
The winner of the 2024 Medal of Excellence was Step Denver, a residential addiction recovery program that offers men with nowhere else to turn the opportunity to rebuild their lives through sobriety, work, accountability, and community. Step Denver is using the $250,000 prize to support the expansion of their program to serve people in Colorado Springs.
More information and photos can be found at www.danielsfund.org/salutetoexcellence.
About the Daniels Fund
The Daniels Fund provides college scholarships to the next generation of America’s leaders and grants to highly effective nonprofits, equipping people with the experiences, opportunities, and education they need to unlock their full potential. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.
Bill Daniels established the Daniels Fund Grants Program to give back to people in the states he loved with specific funding priorities that held a deep personal significance for him. In 2023, the Daniels Fund awarded $54 million in grants to more than 350 highly effective nonprofit partners that are transforming their communities across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Media Contact: Bruce Wilmsen
Direct: 720.941.4429
[email protected]
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Dan Helle elected to the Daniels Fund Board of Directors
Dan Helle elected to the
Daniels Fund Board of Directors
The Daniels Fund announced Dan Helle has been elected to its Board of Directors.
Now valued at approximately $1.7 billion, the Daniels Fund is a private charitable foundation dedicated to equipping people with the experiences, opportunities, and education they need to unlock their full potential. The Daniels Fund continues the legacy of generosity of its founder, Bill Daniels, a cable television entrepreneur known for his compassion for those in need and his unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. Since its inception, it has awarded more than $1.1 billion in grants to nonprofits and scholarships to students in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dan Helle to the board,” said John Suthers, Chair of the Daniels Fund Board of Directors. “His deep financial expertise and his passion for giving back will provide tremendous value as we strive to create meaningful, lasting impact.”
Dan is a veteran of the private equity and financial services industries. He spent 30 years with CIVC Partners, a Chicago-based middle market private equity firm, including 26 years serving as a managing partner. In this role, Dan shared strategic and operating responsibility for the firm while also leading investment teams. During his tenure, CIVC Partners transitioned from a bank-owned to a partner-owned firm, investing over $1 billion in private equity and returning more than $3 billion to investors.
“Joining the Daniels Fund Board of Directors is truly an honor,” said Dan Helle. “I look forward to furthering Bill Daniels’ incredible legacy of providing opportunity to so many people throughout the region.”
Prior to joining CIVC, Dan worked at Citicorp, Continental Bank, and Northern Trust Bank.
Dan received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Western Illinois University and a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois.
Dan and his wife, Cynthia, have retired and reside in Edwards, Colorado.
About the Daniels Fund
The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.
Media Contact: Bruce Wilmsen
Direct: 720.941.4429
[email protected]
Scholarships are critical for Indigenous students like me. One has helped me turn my dream into a reality.
Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Raises More Than $3.7M to Boost Access to Youth Sports
News
October 3, 2024
Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Raises More Than $3.7M to Boost Access to Youth Sports
The Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, in collaboration with youth sports nonprofits across the state, proudly announce the success of the inaugural Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day campaign. With more than $3.7 million raised, this initiative will support efforts across the state to increase youth participation in sports.
Throughout September, individuals, businesses and community groups across Colorado generously contributed more than $2.1 million through nearly 3,700 donations to various youth sports nonprofits. Community donations were boosted by over $1.6 million in matching funds from the Daniels Fund, Alpine Bank, The Anschutz Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, Denver Broncos Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, Strohm-Link Family Foundation, The Weld Trust and other sponsors.
“We are truly overwhelmed by the incredible generosity Coloradans have shown during the Youth Sports Giving Day campaign. The outpouring of support for local sports organizations shows just how deeply our community values youth sports and believes in the importance of making them accessible to every young person,” said Hanna Skandera, president and chief executive officer, the Daniels Fund. “Thanks to individual donors and our partners, countless young athletes across the state will have opportunities to grow and thrive through the benefits of sports participation.”
Research has long highlighted the importance of youth sports in improving academic outcomes, self-esteem, mental and physical health and developing leadership abilities. Active youth are also more likely to earn higher incomes later in life. In the face of rising childhood obesity, decreasing physical activity and increasing mental health concerns among young people, sports have never been more crucial.
Despite the clear benefits, financial barriers often prevent children—especially those in income-constrained communities and communities of color—from accessing sports programs. The average cost to participate in organized sports in 2022 was $883 per year, an unaffordable amount for many families. Youth typically drop out of sports by age 11, with financially vulnerable populations and girls being disproportionately affected.
“At the YMCA of Metro Denver, we put our hearts into the inaugural Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day campaign, and our Y community came out strong, rallying behind our belief that all kids deserve to play. The funds we raised will help over 1,000 children participate in YMCA Youth Sports who may not have been able to otherwise. We’re grateful for the opportunity to join this powerful campaign alongside so many organizations from across the state, and we’re overwhelmed by the generosity of our Denver Y community,” said Breezy Bolden, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of Metro Denver.
“Youth Sports Giving Day not only allowed Special Olympics Colorado to highlight our Unified Sports program, but it also gave us the opportunity to raise critical funds that are creating inclusion through sport, impacting more than 400,000 students,” said Megan Scremin, president and chief executive officer, Special Olympics Colorado. “Support from this campaign, along with the matching funds, will help provide the resources necessary to expand the program to more Colorado schools, ultimately giving more athletes with and without intellectual disabilities the chance to build confidence, form friendships and foster greater inclusivity for all.”
“GJ Blackout extends a heartfelt thanks to Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day for their incredible efforts in helping us raise and match essential funds for the construction of our future fieldhouse and youth development programming,” said Dean Havlik, president, GJ Blackout in Grand Junction. “We are thrilled that support from this campaign will give more kids in our community the opportunity to engage in team sports under the guidance of positive mentors and role models.”
More than 175 nonprofit organizations enrolled to participate in the 2024 inaugural event which was powered by ColoradoGives.org. Youth Sports Giving Day will return in September 2025, offering another opportunity to support and expand access to youth sports programs across the state.
About Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day
Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a collaborative effort between Aspen Institute’s Project Play Colorado, the Daniels Fund and hundreds of local nonprofit organizations supporting youth sports across Colorado. Through the month-long campaign, nonprofits offering organized sports for Colorado youth ages 18 and younger raised essential funds to get more kids playing sports. To learn more, visit youthsportsgivingday.org.
Media Contact: Caitlin Jenney, GFM|CenterTable
[email protected]
#youthsportsgivingday
NOTE: Photos and other visual assets are available upon request.
Opportunity for full ride to college through Daniels Scholarship
News
September 16, 2024
Opportunity for full ride to college
through Daniels Scholarship
Application now open for Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming students
From September 16 until Oct. 18, graduating high school seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming can apply for the Daniels Scholarship which provides full cost of attendance to 19 partner college and universities across the four-state region.
Funding covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other education expenses while students also receive a free laptop. With over 3,000 Daniels Scholar Alumni now graduated and in the workforce, the Daniels Scholarship has had a profound impact on thousands of aspiring college students and their families.
“I had straight A’s in high school, a good SAT score and I didn’t know if I wanted to go to college because I didn’t have a way to pay for it,” said Daniels Scholarship recipient Israel Oketunmbi. “That’s where the Daniels Fund came in and I got a scholarship. I don’t want people to be in the same situation I was.”
“Daniels Scholars are the next generation of leaders, making a remarkable difference in their careers and communities across the nation,” said Hanna Skandera, President & CEO of the Daniels Fund. “We are excited to continue empowering students with the opportunity to unlock their potential and achieve their educational goals.”
Recipients of the Daniels Scholarship can attend any accredited nonprofit college in the United States and have attended more than 500 colleges across all 50 states. Students choosing to attend colleges other than the Daniels Scholarship’s partner schools are eligible to receive $100,000 over four years for schools outside the four-state region and $30,000 over four years at non-partner institutions within it.
Selection criteria for the Daniels Scholarship includes – strength of character, leadership potential, commitment to serving their community, academic performance or promise, well-rounded personality and emotional maturity and stability.
Applications for the scholarship close Oct. 18, and finalists will be notified in January. The first step typically takes less than an hour to complete. Following a personal interview process, scholarship recipients are announced in late March.
The online application and additional information on the Daniels Scholarship are available at danielsfund.org/scholarships.
Media Contact: Bruce Wilmsen
Direct: 720.941.4429
[email protected]
A new partnership in Colorado could increase access to youth sports
Announcing Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day
News
September 4, 2024
Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado Announce First-Ever Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day
Month-long giving campaign includes more than $1M in matching funds to boost access to youth sports
Today, the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, in collaboration with hundreds of youth sports nonprofits across the state, proudly announced the inaugural Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day. Sept. 4 marks the beginning of a month-long campaign to raise essential funds to help more kids statewide participate in sports.
Throughout September, individuals, businesses and community groups are encouraged to contribute to youth sports nonprofits in Colorado. Donations can be made online at www.youthsportsgivingday.org utilizing the ColoradoGives.org platform, which offers a safe, flexible and convenient way to give. Donors can choose from a list of participating nonprofit youth sports organizations, with funds going toward expenses such as equipment, uniforms, coaching and facility rentals. These contributions will help ensure more kids can participate in sports, regardless of their economic background.
Led by the Daniels Fund, Colorado Health Foundation, The Weld Trust, Denver Broncos Foundation, Alpine Bank, Rose Community Foundation, Strohm Link Family Foundation, Anschutz Foundation and other sponsors, the giving campaign includes a dollar-for-dollar match of more than $1 million for all online donations made starting Sept. 4, 2024. Donations will be matched until matching funds are utilized.
Helping to facilitate the effort is the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, the signature initiative of which, Project Play, has helped leaders across the nation get and keep children playing sports. Last week, the Aspen Institute and leading organizations announced Project Play Colorado, a collective impact effort to lift youth sports participation rates from 54.5% to 63% by the end of the decade.
“Sports are a fun way for kids to learn valuable skills like teamwork, hard work, setting goals and staying active,” said Governor Jared Polis. “With Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, more Colorado kids can experience the joy and passion that comes from participating in sports. It’s truly a win for all of us.”
Link to Governor Polis’ full video message about Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day.
Research highlights the significant benefits of youth sports: improved academic and career achievements, enhanced self-esteem, better mental and physical health and stronger life skills and leadership abilities. Kids who stay active in sports are also likely to earn higher incomes later in life.
“Every child deserves the lifetime benefits of being physically active and playing sports,” said Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “Organized sports are essential for young people’s development, teaching them valuable life skills and promoting a healthy lifestyle. As a cornerstone of the American experience, youth sports should be accessible to all. Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is our opportunity to invest in every child’s future and ensure that all have the chance to participate and thrive.”
With rising childhood obesity rates, declining physical activity levels and a mounting mental health crisis for young people, the role of sports in youth development is more critical than ever. In fact, one study found a direct correlation between sports participation as a youth and greater self-esteem and happiness in adulthood.
Financial barriers often prevent children, particularly those in low-income communities and communities of color, from participating in organized sports. The average cost of a child to participate in a sport in 2022 was $883 per year, a budget-busting sum for many families. The average age when kids drop out of sports is 11, with even earlier dropout rates among financially vulnerable populations and girls.
“Youth sports participation is lower than it should be, especially for kids in low-income families and communities of color,” said Tom Farrey, executive director, Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. “We want Colorado to be a model for other states, to show them how to fill gaps and improve access to quality sport activities. Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a key activation and will make a difference in children’s lives across our state.” Today’s launch event at Ball Arena featured professional sports ambassadors and political leaders united in the campaign’s mission to Support our State of Play. Speakers included:
- Vic Lombardi, Altitude Sports & Entertainment
- Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
- Ryan Harris, Super Bowl Champion and award-winning broadcaster
- Kara Winger, four-time Olympian (javelin throw)
- Mike Neary, executive vice president, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
- Jennifer Brown Lerner, deputy director, Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program
For more information about Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, and to Support our State of Play, visit www.youthsportsgivingday.org. Photos and other visual assets are available upon request.
Other Important Youth Sports Events Taking Place in September
- The 13th annual giveSPORTS Equipment Drive, presented by Colorado Honda Dealers, will be held at Ball Arena on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the RAV4 Parking Lot (located between 9th & 11th St., between Chopper Cir. & Auraria Pkwy.). In partnership with A Precious Child and Colorado Honda Dealers, Kroenke Sports Charities invites the public to support underserved local youth by dropping off new or gently used sports equipment at the event.
- Equipment from all sports is accepted. However, equipment from the following sports is most needed: basketball, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, football, baseball, softball and volleyball. Bicycles are accepted in any condition. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept clothing donations.
- Representatives of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Rapids will be in attendance to greet donors. Donors will receive a tax donation letter and a voucher valid for two (2) tickets to a Nuggets or Avalanche pre-season home game while supplies last.
- The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs is offering free admission on Saturday, Sept. 21, courtesy of the Daniels Fund, to celebrate Youth Sports Giving Day.
- The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., where visitors can meet Team USA athletes, explore interactive exhibits and connect with local youth sports organizations stationed throughout the museum.
- Advance online ticket reservations are strongly recommended and can be found here.
About Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day
Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a collaborative effort between Project Play Colorado, the Daniels Fund, and hundreds of local nonprofit organizations supporting youth sports across Colorado. Through this month-long campaign, nonprofits offering organized sports for Colorado youth ages 18 and younger raise essential funds to get more kids playing sports. Each year, Coloradans will be asked to give generously to ensure all children in our state can enjoy the many benefits of athletics. To learn more, to register as a participating nonprofit or to make a donation and support our State of Play, visit www.youthsportsgivingday.org.
About the Daniels Fund
The Daniels Fund, a private charitable foundation established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, provides grants to highly effective nonprofits and college scholarships to the next generation of America’s leaders. Through strategic investments in the Rocky Mountain West, it collaborates with non-profits to remove barriers and increase access to opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. Through its Big Bets, it invests in solutions tackling some of the most complex challenges with innovations that have the power to scale. The Daniels Fund is making a Big Bet in youth sports, aiming to give one million youth the opportunity to compete in sports by 2030 and build the core life skills that increase achievement, leadership, teamwork, confidence, and resilience. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.
About Project Play Colorado
Project Play Colorado is a collective impact initiative comprised of state-level entities and community organizations aiming to increase opportunities for youth of all ages to participate in sports. It is the first statewide initiative of Project Play, an Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program-led effort which develops insights, ideas and opportunities to build healthy children and communities through sports. Since 2013, the award-winning initiative has convened leaders, identified gaps in access to quality sport activity and mobilized organizations for action. To learn more, visit www.projectplay.org.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Jenney, GFM|CenterTable
[email protected]