Dean Singleton Legacy Grant
In 2014, in honor of William Dean Singleton, former Chairman and Publisher of The Denver Post, and the tremendous impact he has on our community, The Denver Post Community Foundation created a special $50,000 legacy grant that was awarded to deserving nonprofits doing high impact work to benefit others in our community.
2018 Recipient – Take Note Colorado
The Denver Post Community Foundation was proud to present its 5th Annual Dean Singleton Legacy Grant to Take Note Colorado on October 3, 2018.
This $50,000 grant will enable Take Note Colorado to continue working towards their goal to provide access to musical instruments and instruction to every K-12 student in Colorado. Ensuring Colorado students get the opportunity to experience and play music is a fulfillment of the cultural spirit of the state, as well as a crucial investment in the continued growth of the thriving arts community. Under the leadership of co-chairs Governor John Hickenlooper and Isaac Slade, lead singer of The Fray, Take Note Colorado is an initiative built on the belief that everyone can play a role in bringing music into the lives of students.
“Music has always been an important part of my life and I am so proud that The Denver Post Community Foundation selected Take Note Colorado as our grant recipient this year,” said Dean Singleton, the Legacy Grant namesake. “Their mission to give access to musical instruments and instruction to so many students is remarkable and will help change countless young lives in the years to come.”
“Take Note Colorado is truly honored to have been selected as the Dean Singleton Legacy Grant awardee for 2018,” said Karen Radman, Executive Director of Take Note Colorado. “This generous grant will allow us to increase access in more schools and community settings during the school year. In partnering with school districts, libraries and community providers, Take Note is working to ensure that all students in Colorado will have access to music-making opportunities. We are grateful to Dean Singleton and The Denver Post Community Foundation for believing in the power of music and wanting to help ensure more of Colorado’s students experience it.”
Pictured from left to right are steering committee members Chuck Morris, AEG Presents Rocky Mountains; holding the crystal award – Libby Anschutz, The Anschutz Foundation and Tracksuit Wedding; Dean Singleton, Legacy Grant namesake; co-chair Isaac Slade, lead singer of The Fray; and Karen Radman, executive director of Take Note Colorado and Colorado Music Coalition.
To learn more about the 2018 recipient, Take Note Colorado, click here.
2017 Recipient – Phamaly Theatre Company
The Denver Post Community Foundation was proud to present its 4th Annual Dean Singleton Legacy Grant to Phamaly Theatre Company on October 11, 2017.
This $50,000 grant will enable Phamaly to continue providing mainstage performance opportunities and professional development classes and workshops to its actors throughout the year, as well as to bolster organizational sustainability. It will also support new initiatives next year including the creation of a brand new, devised educational touring show about artists with disabilities, which will debut in 2019.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our grant recipient this year, for what they do to inspire people to re-envision disability through professional theatre,” said Dean Singleton, the Legacy Grant namesake. “Phamaly provides such a benefit to the Metro Denver community by producing professional scale plays and musicals cast entirely of performers with disabilities.
“It is an incredible honor for Phamaly to receive an award based on the legacy of an individual who has had such an extraordinary impact on the Denver community.” said Regan Linton, Artistic Director. “We aim to carry forth Dean’s legacy in the one-of-a-kind programs Phamaly provides for established and developing theatre artists with disabilities.”
To learn more about the 2017 recipient, Phamaly Theatre Company, click here.
2016 Recipient – Colorado FFA Foundation
The Denver Post Community Foundation presented its 3rd Annual Dean Singleton Legacy Grant to the Colorado FFA Foundation on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. This year’s grant will assist FFA students to start or enhance an enterprise through a supervised and mentored program. By providing grants to students, they can explore areas of agriculture of interest to them as well as look at innovative projects and practices or niche markets. Students will apply in the fall for scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 and if selected, will work with their agricultural education instructor as well as community mentor to develop and grow their project.
“The Colorado FFA Foundation is near and dear to my heart. I am so proud that The Denver Post Community Foundation is able to support the Supervised Agricultural Innovation Grant program this year,” said Dean Singleton, the Legacy Grant namesake. “The work being done by FFA students is so important to our community and this grant will help encourage new and improved ideas. I was honored to be an FFA member in my younger days and encourage all current and future student members to be proud of the values represented by wearing the blue jacket. I know I am, 50 years later.”
“This grant will be transformational for many students and FFA Chapters across the state. It will provide the needed funding to help students gain experience in innovative entrepreneurship experiences,” said Don Thorn, Executive Director of Colorado FFA Foundation. “This is just what we needed to get this program off the ground. Many thanks to The Denver Post Community Foundation and Dean Singleton for providing us this opportunity.”
For more information on Colorado FFA Foundation, click here.
2015 Recipient – Judi’s House
The 2nd Annual Dean Singleton Legacy Grant was awarded to Judi’s House on October 6, 2015, for their great work and dedication to helping bereaved families. This years’ grant will provide 38 children with the Pathfinder’s Program for a year. Pathfinders is a research-based, ten-week curriculum developed at Judi’s House that is tailored to meet the needs of bereaved children and families.
“Judi’s House is honored to receive this year’s Dean Singleton Legacy Grant. We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with The Denver Post Community Foundation and the many ways it has supported our critical services for grieving children and families. We consider Dean not only one of our biggest advocates in the community, but also a dear friend,” said Judi’s House Founders Brook and Brian Griese.
“I couldn’t be happier with the selection of Judi’s House as the 2015 Legacy Grant recipient,” Singleton said. “Brook and Brian’s dedication to the children in our community is next to none. They have built such a valuable resource here in Denver and we are grateful that this money will help many children learn to cope with tremendous loss in their lives.”
For more information about Judi’s House, click here.
2014 Recipient – National Sports Center for the Disabled
“The Dean Singleton Legacy Grant is an amazing honor for us. He has been on the NSCD board, served as chair and has continued to stay involved in our organization,” said Becky Zimmermann, president and CEO, National Sports Center for the Disabled. “We serve 3,000 people per year in our therapeutic recreation programs but our program fees only cover 15 percent of the program costs, so we rely heavily on grants and donations. This grant will help provide more than 500 lessons in over 15 sports to participants next year.”
“I can’t think of a more deserving organization to receive this legacy grant. I have seen and experienced firsthand how the NSCD enables participants to learn more about sports and about themselves though therapeutic sports and recreation programs,” Singleton said. “Developing and awarding a legacy grant through the Denver Post Community Foundation has been a dream of mine and now it’s a personal thrill to see it come to fruition. I have been honored to be a part of NSCD for almost 20 years and am pleased that they are the first recipient of this grant.”
For more information about the National Sports Center for the Disabled, click here.
