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Foundation Granted $20 Million to Mile High United Way in 2020, Resulting in the Creation of Four Early Childhood Education Centers and More

DENVER – Just over five years ago, the MacKenzie Scott Foundation made a transformational $20 million gift to Mile High United Way, and today, Mile High United is celebrating all that those funds have created – four early childhood education centers, critical neighborhood investments during the pandemic, the purchase and renovation of an affordable transitional apartment building, and enhanced wraparound services for families throughout Metro Denver.

The gift, the largest in Mile High United Way’s 138-year history, was announced on Dec. 15, 2020, along with investments to 383 other organizations across the country. Christine Benero, Mile High United Way president and CEO, said the call she received about the gift is one of the most memorable moments of her career.

“To have MacKenzie Scott believe in Colorado, believe in families, believe in Mile High United Way and make a $20 million investment in our work – I knew it was going to be life-changing for generations to come,” Benero said.

Nearly 300 Early Learning Spots Created

When the gift came at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mile High United Way immediately invested $5 million in Metro Denver neighborhoods to help families access their basic needs, such as housing, food and child care.

Then, the organization provided funding to establish four now-open, early child care and education centers, resulting in 264 new affordable, high-quality spots for young children. Watch a video that details how these funds were used.

• Warren Village’s Alameda Campus in west Denver – Serving 104 children
• Family Tree’s GOALS in Aurora – Serving 54 children Mercy Housing’s
• The Rose on Colfax in east Denver – Serving 48 children
• The Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center at Mile High United Way just north of Downtown Denver – Serving 58 children

Each center serves its community in unique ways to meet the needs of families there.

“For Mile High United Way’s center, The Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center, it not only serves employees of Mile High United Way, but Mile High United Way also wants to serve the broader community,” said Dr. Pamela Harris, president and CEO of Mile High Early Learning, which operates The Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center. “Another part of the description of what Mile High United Way wanted this program to be was to pay teachers a living wage. We need additional funding in order to be able to do that. The MacKenzie Scott dollars have definitely helped us continue to do that for our staff.”

Building Lasting Community Partnerships

In addition to child care and education, Mile High United Way is working with each center to provide wraparound services, including assistance from an on-site 211 navigator. “The continuation of our partnership with Mile High United Way and having Mile High United Way’s 211 staff onsite to serve our families – it’s not just one thing you can describe simply. It’s life-changing for Warren Village,” said Ethan Hemming, Warren Village president and CEO.

The five organizations that received funding from the MacKenzie Scott gift to build an early learning center, including Mile High United Way and Mile High Early Learning, continue to meet and learn from each other to strengthen services for families in the community.

“The MacKenzie Scott dollars that have come into our community have increased the access to early childhood education for families across the Metro Denver area. What it’s done for organizations like Family Tree is increase our understanding and awareness of the opportunities families have. It takes all of us as partners coming together. Through these collaborations, we’ve been able to learn about each other’s resources, share each other’s resources, and connect people to the right resources at the right times to make the most impact in their lives,” said Cassie Ratliff, Family Tree chief impact officer.

The hope through these partnerships is to create examples for early learning centers that others can use across the nation.

“The Rose on Colfax is a model for us to say here’s how housing and child care can be combined,” said Shelly Marquez, Mercy Housing Mountain Plains president. “We are asked often from development partners what worked and what didn’t work. For Mercy Housing, we are looking at how to replicate this model in another community that has need for child care.”

Creating New Affordable Homes

Mile High United Way also used a portion of the MacKenzie Scott Foundation gift to purchase a 22-unit apartment building in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood. In 2025, Mile High United Way completed renovations to upgrade the building’s electrical and plumbing systems and turn the basement into a space where community partners can have offices and serve tenants. The 245-square-foot efficiency apartments are offered at below-market rates. Most units are occupied by Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap participants, who have exited the child welfare system and are finding their first safe, stable home in the building.

“Five years ago, we were humbled and thankful for Ms. Scott’s show of confidence in our work. We remain humbled and thankful today, as well as proud for all our community has accomplished to support Colorado’s children and families well into the future,” Benero said.

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About Mile High United Way

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 all have the opportunity to succeed. Learn more at unitedwaydenver.org and follow us on social media @UnitedWayDenver.