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Gary Advocacy Focused on 3 Priority Bills in 2025 Legislative Session

From Reilly Pharo Carter

Our team at Gary is increasingly focused on pursuing opportunities to transform systems so that they can better serve kids and families while simultaneously pursuing strategies that will provide families with more opportunities to build wealth. Colorado is unaffordable for far too many families. This was something we knew to be true before last November, but last year’s election cycle crystallized the message. With that in mind, we’re focusing on three priority bills this legislative cycle focused on housing, maximizing public education investments and employee ownership.

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What’s New

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Gary awards $720,000 in grant funding to expand 9th grade success and improve family benefit access in Colorado.

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A simple tool built in Colorado is now helping North Carolina families unlock life-changing benefits—in just six minutes.

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Meet the statewide initiative working to make child care in Colorado more affordable—so families can thrive, businesses can grow, and every child gets the strong start they deserve.

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Helping more Coloradans build financial resilience through 3 priority bills focused on housing, maximizing public education investments, and employee ownership

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Catalyze’s GP Runway Fund fosters a more inclusive investment ecosystem that will have a lasting, scaled impact beyond our organization’s lifespan.

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We unlock more joy for kids and families in our communities when we decrease the economic burdens our systems place on them

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COinvest demonstrates how place-based investing can unlock both financial returns and lasting community impact, reimagining the future of philanthropy in our own backyards.

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Download the ASSEMBLE100 Report to explore evidence-based strategies for combining social impact with financial returns through ownership investing.

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MagicSchool AI is the edtech solution that could “finally give teachers a chance to have a lunch break.”

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Ownership investing takes center stage at SOCAP24.

“For any funders looking at this wondering if this is something that really makes sense for us as investors, I’m here to tell you: ownership has arrived and it is a very important part of impact investing.” – Jim Sorenson

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Latino family of father mother son and baby enjoying a sunny day in a park sitting on the grass

MyFriendBen was awarded grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to deepen the impact of the tool and expand the screener to other states.

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Case Studies for Impact

As we listen with humility to our community, partners, and each other,  we learn together to drive action that guarantees School Readiness, drives Youth Success, and stimulates Family Economic Mobility. Whether we’re leveraging impact investments, grants, new ventures or Policy and advocacy, we dare to be bold, working urgently with our community and partners to deliver a future where all Colorado kids can grow up healthy and reach their full potential.

Learn more about the breakthrough solutions below that are reshaping the arc of opportunity for kids and families in Colorado.

Rear View Of Family Standing Outside New Home On Moving Day Looking At House

COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Grantmaking

Preventing mass evictions and homelessness during and after the pandemic.

beautiful happy boy with painted hands

Colorado Emergency Childcare Collaborative

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: New Ventures

Providing free childcare to essential workers during the pandemic.

Yes on Amendment B Ballot Measure

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach:
Policy & Advocacy

Protecting teachers, first responders and small businesses during the pandemic.

The RISE Fund

Outcome Area: Youth Success
Approach: Grantmaking

Helping academic institutions rebound from the COVID crisis and create equitable innovations to improve student learning.

COVIDCheck Colorado

Outcome Areas:
School Readiness & Youth Success
Approach: New Ventures

Creating safe schools for students, teachers and staff during the pandemic.

YES on Proposition EE Ballot Measure

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Policy & Advocacy

Building a coalition to expand free preschool to every 4-year-old.

Female Owner Of Start Up Coffee Shop Or Restaurant Turning Round Open Sign On Door

Apis & Heritage Capital Partners Fund

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Impact Investing

Helping workers of color own their own futures.

Urban Land Conservancy

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: New Ventures

Leveraging valuable real estate to create equitable communities in Colorado.

Denver Preschool Program

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach
: Policy & Advocacy

Pioneering childhood education in Colorado.

Learn Start II

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Impact Investing

Creating the largest, most detailed pipeline of global education technology companies.

Tax Help & Get Ahead Colorado

Outcome Area: Family Economic Mobility
Approach: New Ventures

Increasing access to free tax preparation services and tax credits for families.

Discover New Possibilities

Together, we will create the change our community wants to see. Whether you want to discover more about our ventures, or connect with a member of our team, we want to hear from you.