CONTACT
Lea Devereaux
lea.devereaux@unitedwaydenver.org
720-518-6222
These Corporate and Foundation Partners Made Outstanding Contributions to the Community Over Last Year
DENVER – Mile High United Way is pleased to announce the 2026 Community Champion Award recipients. 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 2026 winners are:
- The Champion of Hope Award: Vectra Bank
- Spirit of Hope Award: Wings Credit Union
- Partner in Service Award: Koala Kare
- Social Impact Award: Kaiser Permanente
- Brian Smith Award for Outstanding Community Leadership: Brianna Hein, KeyBank
- Gary Innovation in Philanthropy Award: Siemer Institute
“Our Community Champions remind us of what’s possible when individuals and organizations choose to show up for their neighbors. Their generosity and dedication embody what it means to invest in Metro Denver families. We’re grateful for their partnership and inspired by their impact,” 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 giving campaign but also demonstrated their commitment to the community in comprehensive and tangible ways. Vectra Bank is a dedicated partner in supporting our Back to School efforts, helping students in our community start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. Throughout the year, their team participates in meaningful volunteer and learning opportunities, including our annual Children’s Holiday Party, an employee giving campaign and matching employee contributions.
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. This award celebrates Wings Credit Union’s growing partnership and commitment to giving back to our community. Last year, Wings Credit Union expanded its support for our mission by sponsoring the 2026 Women United Luncheon, helping women and girls pursue their dreams.
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. Koala Kare employees demonstrated their commitment to our community year-round, running supply drives and donating hundreds of items for our Women United Village, Back to School Bash and Children’s Holiday Party. This support aligns with their mission of making the lives of children and their caregivers better. Their annual supply drives make a tremendous difference in the success of our signature volunteer events.
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. Kaiser Permanente has embedded community impact into its culture through year-round volunteerism, employee engagement and strategic investments that strengthen family wellbeing, from coordinating supply drives and volunteering at community events like Back to School Bash to supporting initiatives like our Community Corner. Their holistic approach to community engagement continues to create lasting impact for families.
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. Brianna leads the annual Tax Help Colorado Super Refund Saturday with KeyBank, increasing the number of tax-certified volunteers and bringing thousands of dollars back to Colorado families. She personally supports evaluating and guiding our strategic grantmaking efforts and is dedicated to bringing more people to our Family Impact Project and community signature volunteer events.
The Gary Community Innovation in Philanthropy Award is a new award that honors foundations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to our community through thoughtful investment. For years, The Siemer Institute has been a steadfast champion for young adults transitioning out of the foster care system through its support of Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap and Renew Collaborative program. Their investment, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, has directly transformed lives by helping stabilize families, strengthen financial security and create pathways toward long-term self-sufficiency.
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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 region. 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.