Perspectives

GARY COMMUNITY VENTURES

Perspectives

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September 21, 2023

Gary Community Ventures Seeks to Expand Policy Impact with Reilly Pharo Carter as Director of Policy and Advocacy

Join us in welcoming Reilly!

By: Communications Department:

We are pleased to announce that Reilly Pharo Carter has joined Gary Community Ventures as director of policy and advocacy. Reilly will lead the development and implementation of Gary’s state and local policy and advocacy strategy in partnership with Gary’s vice president of philanthropy and policy.

By leveraging the organization’s policy entity Gary Advocacy, Reilly will advance opportunities to invest in a thriving policy ecosystem and ongoing improvement of public systems that advance the promise and potential of kids and families from low-income backgrounds and BIPOC communities.


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By leveraging the organization’s policy entity Gary Advocacy, Reilly will advance opportunities to invest in a thriving policy ecosystem and ongoing improvement of public systems that advance the promise and potential of kids and families from low-income backgrounds and BIPOC communities

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Gary Community Ventures, in partnership with EPIC, Colorado Children’s Campaign, and Rocky Mountain PBS welcomed Lemonada Media’s No One Is Coming To Save Us podcast to Denver for a live recording to discuss Colorado’s approach to advancing universal preschool and improving access to childcare.

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We look forward to partnering with organizations that have a focus in these areas and a commitment to advancing the promise and potential of kids and families from low-income backgrounds and BIPOC communities in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, and/or Jefferson counties.

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Gary Community Ventures is committed to a vibrant Denver community. We wish the Mayor-elect and his team success in the important work ahead.

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Local governments must opt-in in order to make any affordable housing projects in their communities eligible for Prop 123 funding, so please ask your local government to opt-in so that your community won’t miss out on this historic funding source!

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2023 Ivory Prize

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.

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House Bill 23-1304 preserves the intent of Proposition 123, passed by Colorado voters in 2022, while making technical changes to ensure the legislation can be implemented effectively and create more affordable housing statewide.

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In less than 10 minutes, navigators can help families identify approximately $1,000-$1,500 in savings every month

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Since joining Gary in July of 2020, Santhosh has left an indelible mark of innovation and leadership both at Gary and within the impact and philanthropic sectors.

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As we embark on a new year of partnership and possibilities, we are excited to do so alongside two new members of the Gary Community Ventures leadership team. We are honored to announce that Jill Hawley has joined as Vice President of Philanthropy and Caitlin Finn has joined as Vice President of Legal and Finance.

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It’s with a bittersweet heart today that we share the resignation of Gary Community Ventures’ President and CEO Mike Johnston. However, we’re pleased to announce the appointment of Chief Investment Officer Santhosh Ramdoss as interim president and CEO.

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With support from more than 260 organizations and leaders across the state, we have the sustainable resources needed to solve Colorado’s housing crisis

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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.

beautiful happy boy with painted hands

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.

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: 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.