MEDIA CONTACT
Jenn Kostka Beck
jbeck@unitedwaydenver.org
303-263-4561

These Corporate and Foundation Partners Made Outstanding Contributions to the Community Over Last Year

DENVER – Mile High United Way is pleased to announce the 2024 Community Champion Award winners. These annual awards recognize Mile High United Way’s corporate and foundation partners for their outstanding contributions and service to the Metro Denver community.

The 2024 winners are:

• Champion of Hope Award: Lockton Companies West Series
• Spirit of Hope Award: BMO
• Partner in Service Award: BOK Financial
• Social Impact Award: KPMG
• Brian Smith Award for Outstanding Community Leadership: Bonnie Gross, Xcel Energy
• Gary Community Innovation in Philanthropy Award: Gary Community Ventures

“We are so honored to partner with these tremendous organizations and recognize their commitment to making Metro Denver a place where all families can thrive. These Community Champions strengthen our community and help Mile High United Way create opportunities for all,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way.

Learn more about each award:

The Champion of Hope Award is the highest honor for corporate community involvement in the workplace. The award honors companies that have not only run an outstanding workplace campaign, but also demonstrated their commitment to the community in comprehensive and tangible ways. Lockton Companies West Series engages with Mile High United Way’s work in many ways, including volunteering and raising more than $1.1 million during Lockton’s annual community giving campaign.

The Spirit of Hope Award honors companies that have demonstrated their commitment to the community in comprehensive and tangible ways through their new or renewed partnership with Mile High United Way. Last year, BMO supported our community with a $200,000 investment and gave to Mile High United Way’s Women United Initiative.

The Partner in Service Award honors outstanding achievement in activating a workforce to create hands-on impact in our community. This award celebrates large one-time days of service, ongoing volunteer engagement throughout the year or new volunteer projects that align with company goals. BOK Financial staff demonstrated their commitment to our community, volunteering at the Women United Village, the 50th Annual Mile High United Way Turkey Trot and National Volunteer Week.

The Social Impact Award recognizes a corporate partner that has embraced corporate social responsibility as part of their community engagement and business strategies. These companies engage with Mile High United Way year-round to inspire employees to give, volunteer, advocate and lead. It can include companies that have launched an innovative program, aligned their community work with their business goals or taken a stance on an important community issue. This year, KPMG staff volunteered at the new Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center at Mile High United Way, supported the center’s Book Nook and stayed engaged year-round as members of our Tocqueville Society, Women United and Catalyst Society donor groups.

The Brian Smith Award for Outstanding Community Leadership celebrates an amazing leader who embodies the spirit of philanthropy by volunteering, supporting community efforts, advocating for Mile High United Way through corporate and individual partnerships, and going above and beyond to affect positive change. In her role as the manager of social investments, Bonnie Gross of Xcel Energy develops the company’s engagement strategy with Mile High United Way and the organization’s partners, prioritizing Xcel Energy’s values and employees. Gross helped facilitate Xcel Energy’s RED Truck at community events, as well as Xcel’s Annual Day of Service. She also represented Xcel Energy at our 50th Annual Turkey Trot.

The Gary Community Innovation in Philanthropy Award is a new award that honors foundations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to our community through thoughtful investment. Gary Community Ventures is a longtime partner to Colorado’s entire nonprofit community, embodying courageous leadership, a drive for systemic change and values-centered philanthropy.

Learn more about our community partners and how to get involved.

###

About Mile High United Way

Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world, was founded in Denver in 1887. Working side by side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Our united approach changes the odds for all children, families and individuals in our community, so that we all can succeed. Learn more at www.unitedwaydenver.org. Follow us on social media: @UnitedWayDenver.