Prosperity Denver Fund in Colorado was established in 2018 following voter approval of the Denver College Affordability Fund ballot initiative. The measure passed with 64.14% of the vote. The approved initiative created a dedicated 0.08% sales tax, equivalent to less than one cent on a $10 purchase, to generate local funding for postsecondary school access and success. In 2019, Denver City Council finalized the ordinance governing the organization and formally named it Prosperity Denver Fund. The ordinance includes a sunset provision and, in 2030, Denver voters will have the opportunity to reauthorize the fund.

Originally, the scope of the Prosperity Denver Fund was limited to reimbursing nonprofits that provide scholarships to Denver students ages 14-24. However, in 2023, the fund successfully advocated to expand the city ordinance to support postsecondary planning and additional workforce pathways for Denver residents up to age 30. So, in addition to college and technical school scholarships, the fund now also supports career training in apprenticeships and credentials as well as programs in high school to help students plan for after graduation.

Fund Purpose and Impact

Prosperity Denver Fund was created to expand access to postsecondary education and career pathways for Denver residents by investing taxpayer dollars in nonprofit partners that deliver direct student support. To date, the fund has supported 63,713 students through these primary program types:

College and technical school scholarships
Career training and apprenticeship programs
High school support services to help students plan for and succeed in postsecondary pathways

A study conducted by the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business estimates that college attendance and graduation rates in Denver have increased by approximately 8% per year as a result of the fund. By combining financial assistance with comprehensive student supports, Prosperity Denver Fund strengthens Denver’s workforce pipeline and expands opportunity for residents ages 14-30.

Prosperity Denver Fund’s programs provide support across five primary categories:

Transitionary support: College application assistance, enrollment counseling, and course selection guidance
Academic support: Tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, and assistance with school applications
Financial support: College scholarships, financial aid navigation, financial literacy programming, and personal budgeting assistance
Community-based support: Mentoring, networking opportunities, leadership development, interview coaching, and career immersion experiences
Additional wraparound services: Healthcare access, food security, temporary housing, wellness programs, and other services to help students succeed

Together, these services provide comprehensive support to help students overcome barriers and achieve their educational and career goals.

Governance and Administration

Prosperity Denver Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, created in 2018 to administer the tax revenue generated by the Denver ballot initiative. The fund is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors responsible for oversight, accountability, and strategic direction. The mayor of Denver appoints six directors and the Denver City Council confirms them, along with one additional director who is a city council member. Directors must be at least 18 years old and, according to the Prosperity Denver Fund’s Board of Directors’ bylaws, they are selected to represent a range of professional expertise that supports the fund’s mission.

The board elects officers including a chairperson, vice chairperson, treasurer, and secretary. The board’s core responsibilities include the following:

Adopting the annual budget
Maintaining accurate financial and organizational records
Ensuring transparency in the administration of the fund

Through this governance structure, Prosperity Denver Fund maintains strong oversight while advancing its mission to expand educational and career opportunities for Denver residents.