CrossPurpose and Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) each received $100k prizes as finalists for the Daniels Fund Medal of Excellence

Two nonprofits from the Denver Metro area were honored Wednesday by the Daniels Fund as finalists for the Medal of Excellence. CrossPurpose and Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) each received $100,000 during the second annual Salute to Excellence event at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

“All of us at the Daniels Fund are proud to salute the game-changing achievements of CrossPurpose and TACT,” said Hanna Skandera, Daniels Fund President and CEO. “Their commitment to excellence reflects the values that Bill Daniels expected – and exhibited. With this award, we’re confident that these two groups will be able to expand their excellent work in the Denver Metro region.”

Denver-based CrossPurpose provides opportunities to individuals to lift themselves out of poverty through job training and community relationships that allow them to expand their skills, obtain a career, and maximize their independence.

“Our model provides a path for families to move out of generational poverty and into generational wealth,” said CrossPurpose Chief Executive Officer Jason Janz. “Support from the Daniels Fund helps make our work possible and this award will enable us to promote successful outcomes for the people we serve.”

Located in Englewood, Colorado, TACT empowers people on the autism spectrum through job and skills training so these individuals can obtain a career and live a productive life.

“Having a son on the spectrum, I am personally connected to our work,” said Becky Mershon, Chief Operating Officer and Programs Director for TACT. “Not only does the autism community have an unemployment rate of over 80% but the trades are struggling to locate skilled workers. Our partnership with the Daniels Fund and this award will not only help our clients maximize their potential but will ultimately strengthen our workforce and economy.”

This year’s Salute to Excellence was headlined by the Child Development Center of Natrona County (CDC) which received the highest honor at Wednesday’s ceremony in the Daniels Fund Medal of Excellence. The nonprofit based in Casper, Wyoming, was recognized for its service to children with special needs across the Cowboy State through outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapy, as well as reading coaching, audiology services.

“This is an incredible honor and reflects the tireless dedication of our entire team,” said Alisha Rone, Executive Director of CDC. “We get to witness the incredible impact our services have on Wyoming’s children and their families each day, and to receive recognition from the Daniels Fund for that impact is truly special.”

The awards, totaling $450,000, are in addition to funding support the Daniels Fund has given to each organization over the past several years as longstanding grantees. The Daniels Fund has distributed more than $1.2 billion in grants and scholarships throughout its 25-year history.

If you are interested in donating to these organizations, please visit their websites:

• Child Development Center of Natrona County (CDC)
• CrossPurpose
• Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT)

Photography and Interview Opportunities: Professional photographs, video, and other information from the event are available here: www.danielsfund.org/salutetoexcellence.

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 and scholarship programs.

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 2024, the Daniels Fund awarded more than $52 million in grants to over 225 highly effective nonprofit partners that are transforming their communities.

Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

The Child Development Center of Natrona County (CDC) was honored Wednesday by the Daniels Fund with its prestigious Medal of Excellence. CDC, based in Casper, Wyoming, received the award during the second annual Daniels Fund Salute to Excellence event at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

“This is an incredible honor and reflects the tireless dedication of our entire team,” said Alisha Rone, Executive Director of CDC. “We get to witness the incredible impact our services have on Wyoming’s children and their families each day, and to receive recognition from the Daniels Fund for that impact is truly special.”

CDC received a $250,000 award in recognition of its impact on children and families through outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapy for children with special needs, as well as reading coaching, and audiology services. Established in 1967, CDC has grown to serve more than 700 children daily from birth to age 21.

“The CDC works to ensure every child in Wyoming has the opportunity to grow, dream and thrive,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera. “The CDC’s mission, innovation, and compassionate dedication to the people they serve sets a standard of excellence that truly inspires us all.”

CDC serves children with and without special needs. Their services are free to any child with a diagnosis or signs of a developmental delay. Their team includes a staff of 120 people — including an in-house nurse practitioner and the only audiology therapist in the state of Wyoming. As the organization has grown, it has engaged the community to learn what children need and designed their services to be responsive to those needs.

Recognized alongside CDC as Salute to Excellence finalists were Denver-based CrossPurpose and Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) in Englewood, Colorado. These organizations were also honored for their pioneering solutions and community impact that aligns with the Daniels Fund’s mission. They each received a $100,000 prize to advance their work.

CrossPurpose assists individuals experiencing poverty through job training and by creating community relationships that allow them to expand their skills, obtain a career and live a productive life.

Empowering individuals on the autism spectrum, TACT offers job and skills training so these individuals can obtain a career and maximize their independence.

The awards, totaling $450,000, are in addition to funding support the Daniels Fund has given to each organization over the past several years as longstanding grantees. The Daniels Fund has distributed more than $1.2 billion in grants and scholarships throughout its 25-year history.

If you are interested in donating to these organizations, please visit their websites:

• Child Development Center of Natrona County (CDC)
• CrossPurpose
• Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT)

Photography and Interview Opportunities: Professional photographs, video, and other information from the event are available here: www.danielsfund.org/salutetoexcellence.

About the Daniels Fund
The The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah through its grants and scholarship programs.

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 2024, the Daniels Fund awarded more than $52 million in grants to highly effective nonprofit partners that are transforming their communities.

Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

The Daniels Fund announced today that Sean Duffy has been named Senior Vice President overseeing the Fund’s communications operations. Duffy brings more than 30 years of communications, media relations and public policy experience to this role.

“Sean has a built a respected and proven track record as a leader in strategic communications, both in Colorado and nationally,” said Hanna Skandera, President and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “His extensive experience makes him well-suited to lead our efforts in showcasing the many ways that the Daniels Fund is positively shaping American life and creating lasting impact for individuals and communities across our four-state region and beyond.”

Prior to joining the Daniels Fund, Duffy worked as a strategic communications and media consultant and writer for a wide range of clients spanning both the private and nonprofit sectors. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Communications for Colorado Governor Bill Owens. Prior to coming to Colorado, Duffy worked in a variety of public affairs roles in Pennsylvania, including as CEO of the state’s free market think tank, and education spokesman for the administration of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.

“The Daniels Fund is a pillar of the nation’s philanthropic community, opening doors to opportunity for thousands of Americans each year, and supporting innovative, ground-breaking solutions that unlock human potential,” Duffy said. “As the Fund enters its 25th year, I’m honored to join the team and am excited to play a role in helping it achieve even greater success in the years ahead.”