The Denver Foundation was among the winners of the prestigious 2014 Secretaries’ Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships honored at the Council on Foundations’ Fall Conference for Community Foundations in Cleveland on Wednesday.
The Denver Foundation earned the award for its outstanding partnership with the public sector. The Foundation made significant improvements in housing and neighborhoods, transportation, sustainability and economic development in urban communities in the Denver region.
“These foundations understand that strong communities connect families with the promise of living the American dream,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “Powerful outcomes occur when the philanthropic and public sectors come together to solve problems, enhance neighborhoods, and expand opportunity for others. I commend these honorees for their deep commitment to serving the common good.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “USDA is proud to partner with foundations on worthy development projects that are improving the quality of life for rural residents and providing them with new economic opportunities.The work that foundations undertake often complements the work that our employees are carrying out at the local level. Congratulations to the foundations that have been recognized for their exceptional efforts in 2014.”
“We are excited and honored to be receiving this award,” said David Miller, president and CEO of The Denver Foundation. “Through the Transit Oriented Development Fund, Mile High Connects has created a national model for public/private partnerships and is leading the way with innovative collaborative relationships dedicated to equitable transit and community development.”
Initially closed in 2010, the Fund is a combination of $13.5 million in loan capital from the City and County of Denver, Enterprise Community Partners, the MacArthur Foundation, the Rose Community Foundation, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, First Bank, the Mile High Community Loan Fund, and Enterprise Community Loan Fund that, when blended together, provides favorable acquisition financing terms that allow the Urban Land Conservancy as sole borrower and equity investor to acquire land and improved property in proximity to public transportation access in the City and County of Denver.
The Secretaries’ Awards were given to place-based funders for completed or ongoing initiatives that are executed in partnership with a local, regional, or federal government agency.
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