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2023 Ivory Prize

May 25, 2023

Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth Wins 2023 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability

The Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of four winners of the 2023 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability from more than 200 applicants. The Ivory Prize is a national award to recognize ambitious, feasible and scalable solutions to housing affordability.

Mary Gerlach: Sr. Manager, Brand & Integrated Marketing

“Many Black and African American families are considered ‘mortgage-ready,’ but lack the capital needed for a down payment due to historic housing discrimination that has prevented Black people from building wealth,” said Aisha T. Weeks, Managing Director of the Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth. “Moreover, the rising cost of housing in many U.S. cities leaves families vulnerable to displacement due to rising rents.

“To address this centuries-old issue and advance housing stability, we’ve created a new financing tool that invests in and alongside Black homeowners in the form of returnable down-payment assistance. The Ivory Prize is meaningful to us because it recognizes the program for its place-based impact, and elevates the Dearfield Fund as a scalable and replicable solution that can be used nationally to address housing affordability and to build generational wealth.”

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Stories of 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 growing solutions that already exist, building solutions that don’t yet exist or changing the policy landscape to expand opportunity to those who need it most, 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: Grow

Preventing mass evictions and homelessness during and after the pandemic.

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Colorado Emergency Childcare Collaborative

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Build

Providing free childcare to essential workers during the pandemic.

Yes on Amendment B Ballot Measure

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach:
Change

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

The RISE Fund

Outcome Area: Youth Success
Approach: Grow

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: Build

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

YES on Proposition EE Ballot Measure

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Change

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

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Apis & Heritage Capital Partners Fund

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Grow

Helping workers of color own their own futures.

Urban Land Conservancy

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Build

Leveraging valuable real estate to create equitable communities in Colorado.

Denver Preschool Program

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach
: Change

Pioneering childhood education in Colorado.

Learn Start II

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Grow

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

Tax Help & Get Ahead Colorado

Outcome Area: Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Build

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.