Yesterday, the Mile High United Way board of trustees presented the 2008 Philanthropy Roundtable in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention festivities in Denver.  The dynamic discussion, held in the Boettcher Concert Hall, engaged accomplished individuals with a particular interest in the subject of philanthropy as a driving, personal force for change in the nation and world today.

Panelists included:
• Moderator: Walter Isaacson, CEO, Aspen Institute
• Diana Aviv, President & CEO, Independent Sector
• Dr. Lawrence Brilliant, Executive Director, Google.org
• Eli Broad, Founder, The Broad Foundations
• Caz Matthews, President, WellPoint Foundation
• Tim Marquez, CEO, Venoco, Inc.
• Mary Robinson, Former President, Ireland
• Rick Schaden, Founder, Consumer Capital Partners
• Ted Turner, Chairman of the Board, UN Foundation
• Jane Wales, Co-Founder, Global Philanthropy Forum
• Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman, Goodworks International

Wealthy private citizens are increasingly seizing the reins and unilaterally attacking local and global issues via direct, engaged philanthropy. Similarly-motivated, corporations are increasingly challenging their clients and their employees to engage in coordinated, widely-publicized philanthropic campaigns.

The interchange between participants electrified the audience with a diversity of passions from climate change and the arts to education and human rights.

Ted Turner knew he needed to give back when he found himself a “little richer” than he had ever dreamed.

“Two billion people live on less than $2 a day,” he said.  “I had to do something.”

Rick Schaden said he woke up one morning in his late 30’s and it hit him: what have I done for my community?

“People want to give, they just need some help with the how part,” said Schaden.

Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and human rights activist praised the US as a catalyst for change.  “The US makes it easy for philanthropists to give through the tax structure,” she said.

The keyword in nearly every panelist’s vocabulary:  collaboration. The panel agreed on how the three US sectors: government, business and nonprofit can use different lenses to examine complex social problems.  Essentially, all three sectors need to leverage each other to create long-term solutions. 

Many panelists also expressed their appreciation for young people as a force of good in our country.

“Young people don’t just go into business anymore; they have a strong social conscience and want to give back right away, “said Larry Brilliant.  “I believe our species has improved.”

Get the facts!  The war on poverty is not over.

As today’s theme at the Democratic National Convention in Denver turns to economic struggles, and as the 88th anniversary of women’s suffrage is commemorated, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data today on poverty, income, and health insurance.  Nearly 570,000 Coloradans, or 12 percent, struggle with poverty—the same rate from the previous year.  The trend of increasing child poverty continued with Colorado’s child poverty rate rising slightly to 15.9 percent.  Statewide data also showed that median household income increased from the previous year, and that 16.8 percent of Coloradans are uninsured, which is higher than the national rate.  Nationally, income inequality is a growing problem facing low- and middle-income earners.

“We’re hitting a false flat, where it looks like things were leveling off or getting better, but now are on course to get much worse,” said Kathy White, Project Director of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute (COFPI).  “We continue to see too little action and too little progress in the fight against poverty. It’s long past time for state leaders to step up and start working to reduce poverty and hardship in Colorado.”

The Census data comes on the heels of other recent alarming news, including a Colorado Children’s Campaign report released in June that shows Colorado has the fastest growing rate of child poverty in the country.  Last year at this time, Colorado was the only state with a significant increase in child poverty, and a COFPI report also released last year showed that one in five households do not earn enough to make ends meet.

Poverty experts also point out that this data is from 2007.  So it does not take into account growing challenges facing families in 2008, such as rising food and fuel prices, increasing overall consumer prices (5.6 percent higher than in July 2007), rising unemployment (at a 3-year high in Colorado), stagnant wage growth, and other disturbing trends. 

As the eyes of the political world focus on Colorado this week, this new data on poverty, income, and health insurance serves as a stark reminder of the very real impact public leaders and public policies have on Coloradans.  While there is much to be proud of in Colorado, there are also some very real struggles that Colorado families are facing every day.  State and federal leaders have the unique opportunity to confront these challenges head-on, with smart, sound policy making. 

“Mile High United Way, along with our many partners, is working hard to help families gain financial stability and self sufficiency,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way.  “The facts of poverty in Colorado are not at all reflective of what I know Colorado policy makers to envision for our state.  There is never a more critical time than now for our policy makers to take action and make sure there is a strong, basic safety net for Coloradans who are struggling every day to provide for their families.”

Outraged?  Do something about it!  Donate, volunteer or advocate for Mile High United Way’s Adult Self Sufficiency initiative and become part of the collective generosity of metro Denver.

Quick history lesson: Denver first hosted the DNC back in 1908.  But, did you realize that 21-years before that, a handful of forward-thinking Denverites founded what would become the modern day United Way? 

Since then, United Way has become the premier national force in leveraging donor dollars to make communities across the country better places to live.

In Denver, Mile High United Way is actively working with more than 150 community partners through our School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency initiatives. Together, we are building a foundation for a healthy community and changing lives every day.

I invite you to enjoy some of our success stories by clicking here.

Denver is truly a special place that I am proud to call home.  A place where the unparalleled natural beauty is surpassed only by the generosity and commitment to community of those who live here. 

Enjoy your stay and remember the Mile High United Way creed, “We can do more together.” 

Allied Insurance

Our annual United Way campaign is a critical piece of Allied and Nationwide’s overall giving strategy, which is focused on transforming lives at critical moments. At Allied, everything we do revolves around our customers. They’re at the heart of every decision we make. We know that the Denver community is one of our most important customers. It’s our pleasure to give back to the community that gives us so much and our United Way campaign helps us do that. Our tagline, On Your Side is really about being there when our customers need us most. Supporting and working with United Way helps us be there when the community needs us most.

That’s why Allied is proud to support Mile High United Way and why we’re proud to do our part in continuing to make this state a richer place to grow, live, and work.

Lights On After School (LOAS) and the Waldenbooks® store at Cherry Creek Mall are teaming up to inspire a love of reading in young people throughout Denver.  For the month of August, Waldenbooks’ customers are encouraged to purchase new books that will be donated to youth participating in LOAS, which provides quality after-school activities to youth in Denver Public Schools.

A list of recommended titles customers are encouraged to purchase to benefit LOAS is available at the Waldenbooks store.

Lights On After School is a partnership between Mile High United Way, the Denver Public Schools Foundation and the City and County of Denver, who work closely with Denver Public Schools (DPS.)  The partnership provides funding and program support for enriching after-school activities that can include technology, arts, academics, athletics or youth development in a positive, safe environment for elementary and middle school students in DPS.

“Students who regularly participate in LOAS have better school attendance records and higher academic achievement,” said Art Rimando, director of Youth Success at Mile High United Way.  “We’re excited that Waldenbooks is supporting this critical program that is an effective strategy for motivating and empowering youth to graduate from high school.”

Cherry Creek Mall is the official retailer of the Democratic National Convention.  Traffic to the mall is expected to increase dramatically during the convention so Waldenbooks and LOAS will have a unique opportunity to engage shoppers with this cause and give to the community.

“We have many very caring customers who truly understand that books have the power to change the lives of children,” said Waldenbooks Sales Manager Scott Spineto. ”With this book drive, we are giving our customers an easy way to join with us to help the youth of LOAS experience the power of books and give back to our community.”

A speech by Christine Benero, president and CEO, Mile High United Way given at the Denver Metro Chamber’s State of The City event on Aug. 5.

In less than thirty days, the world will turn its eyes toward Denver in a unique confluence of history and politics and community.  In what promises to be a tremendous showcase for our city, our state, and our Rocky Mountain roots, we will welcome with tremendous pride and open arms our second national party convention in as many centuries.

And what the world will see is a place – a community that is extraordinarily special.  A community that is evidenced by the people in this room…A community that comes together across sectors and across the region to do what our founders came for – to build a better place – a better opportunity – a better life.

Some 150 years later, that’s still the dream that people in Denver are striving for.  The means to put a roof over their heads, to provide for their families, to achieve economic security, and to create a life full of opportunity for themselves and their children.

We are a city young at heart, rich in history and strong in our beliefs.  Which is why – this moment in history – is the perfect moment to take stock, to take account, and to take action.  To continue to ask the hard questions, and find the tough answers, about where we are and where we want to go.

Is this the community we want it to be?  Is this the Denver we want, the Colorado we want, for ourselves, our children, and for generations to come?

We come here today, all of us in this room, not because we’re afraid of those questions, but because we want to find the answers.  And we want to find those answers, as we always have, together. (more…)

America’s Road Home, a national organization dedicated to ending family homelessness, led the fundraising effort with support from Mile High United Way and Denver’s Road Home.

“Denver’s Road Home applauds the support we receive from America’s Road Home in our efforts to end homelessness in Denver,” said Denver’s Road Home Project Manager Jamie Van Leeuwen. “The sneak preview helped us raise awareness and generate resources to advance our efforts in making sure that every man, woman and child has a place to call home.”

“We’re grateful to America’s Road Home for bringing this opportunity to Denver,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way. “This amazing film had a powerful message that put a face on the issue of family homelessness in our country.  We hope that the film continues to inspire people to galvanize for this important cause.”

The award-winning film has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike in the US and was produced by Vulcan Productions. 

• Denver’s Road Home (DRH) is working to ensure that people are safe and treated well during the DNC.  We’re treating the homeless as we have been for almost three years.  We are, and have always been, committed to ensuring everyone has a safe place to be.  During the DNC, Denver’s Road Home will expand outreach services to get the homeless connected with services and shelters. DRH is also working with providers to expand facility hours, both day and evening, and to provide special programs for homeless youth.  DRH is also working closely with the Denver Police to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people on the streets.
• We see the DNC as an opportunity to engage the homeless in the political process.  DRH is working with several providers to register the homeless to vote and to provide convention-viewing opportunities for the homeless.  
• The DNC is a great opportunity to educate our community and the nation about the plight of the homeless.  Denver’s Road Home will be working to raise awareness about homelessness among convention delegates and the general public, just as we have with other large-scale events that have come to Denver. 
• Denver’s Road Home was here before DNC and will be here long after the convention is gone.  Denver’s Road Home has been in place for almost three years, long before Denver was chosen to host the DNC.  It is a comprehensive, long-term plan designed to put people into housing while addressing the underlying causes of homelessness.  Because it is a ten year plan, it will be in place for many years to come.
• We’re not hiding the homeless, we’re housing the homeless.  Ensuring the homeless have short- and long-term housing has always been the priority of Denver’s Road Home.  This is not new for the DNC.  Service delivery will be “business as usual” with a few extras during the convention to make sure everyone wanting shelter has a place to go.