Denver Kids

What Denver Kids does

Denver Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1946 in Denver, Colorado, that delivers one-to-one Educational SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Counseling, volunteer mentoring, and college/career readiness programming to students in Denver Public Schools. The organization's service model is relationship-based rather than technology-based: Educational SEL Counselors are embedded in 70+ DPS schools and maintain advising relationships averaging 5-7 years per student, supported by a Volunteer Mentoring Program, the Enrichment Student Advisory Council, the Youth Pathways Postsecondary Program, a one-year First Year Retention Program, and a 2025-launched Alumni Program. In FY2024 Denver Kids served approximately 900 students and reported a 94.8% on-time high school graduation rate for the Class of 2025, with 81% of graduates pursuing postsecondary education.

The organization's core technology is its human service delivery model, not software; there are no proprietary platforms, APIs, or AI capabilities disclosed. The business model is donation-funded across five streams: individual donations (including monthly and multi-year giving circles), corporate sponsorships (Molson Coors, HealthONE, US Bank, Wagner Equipment), foundation grants, signature fundraising events (Homecoming Gala, Annual Breakfast, Colorado Gives Day), and historically Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credits prior to 2022. FY2024 managed revenue was $2.71 million against total assets of $6.77 million. Distribution is exclusively through the DPS partnership; go-to-market is community-led via school referrals, teacher recommendations, alumni testimonials, and civic engagement (Rotary Club of Denver, 9NEWS Word of Thanks). Denver Kids has grown through two mergers (Denver Boys + Denver Girls in 1993; Denver Urban Scholars in 2019) and currently operates under CEO Jay Grimm, appointed in March 2023.

Name

Denver Kids

Legal name

Denver Kids, Inc.

Website

https://denverkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Denver Kids is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 that provides one-to-one Educational SEL counseling, mentoring, and college/career readiness services to approximately 900 Denver Public Schools students annually, funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Educational Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL) (EDAKAMAO), School Counseling Services (EDAJAIAA), Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)

Keywords

• Youth development services
• Educational advising
• Mentoring programs
• Social-emotional learning
• College readiness support

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Donations from individuals through online portals, check-by-mail, stock donations, vehicle donations, and in-kind gifts. The organization promotes monthly giving circles and multi-year giving commitments.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events and programs. Companies like Molson Coors, HealthONE, US Bank, Wagner Equipment Company, and others sponsor events and provide scholarships.
3. Foundation Grants: Foundation support including a $20,000 grant from the Eppstein Uhen Tennessen Foundation for the volunteer mentoring program.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from galas (Bright Futures Gala, Homecoming Gala, Flourish Gala), annual breakfast events, and peer-to-peer fundraising through events like the Colfax Marathon.
5. Enterprise Zone Tax Credits (Historical): Prior to 2022, donations qualified for Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credits. This program ended January 1, 2022.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Denver Kids provides free, long-term, one-to-one Educational SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) counseling and mentoring to approximately 900 Denver Public Schools students per year across 70+ schools. Advisors deliver academic support, enrichment, social-emotional skill building, college and career readiness, and postsecondary follow-up through programs including the Volunteer Mentoring Program, Youth Pathways Postsecondary Program (YP3), First Year Retention Program (FYRP), Enrichment Student Advisory Council (ESAC), and the 2025 Alumni Program.

Product overview

Denver Kids offers a comprehensive suite of youth development services centered around Educational SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Counseling as its core offering. The organization provides one-to-one advising relationships, volunteer mentoring, and structured programs including the Youth Pathways Postsecondary Program, First Year Retention Program, and Alumni Program. Additional offerings include the Enrichment Student Advisory Council (ESAC) for student leadership development and the Young Professionals Council (YPC) for community engagement. The organization operates in partnership with Denver Public Schools and serves students across 70+ schools in the Denver metro area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Educational SEL Counseling One-to-one, relationship-based Educational Social-Emotional Learning advising dedicated to building character, academic achievement, and positive development of the whole child for Denver Public Schools students.
• Volunteer Mentoring Program Pairs students with caring, consistent volunteer mentors who invest in students' growth as role models and help them navigate life and embrace new experiences.
• Youth Pathways Postsecondary Program (YP3) One year of postsecondary support for high school graduates, helping students navigate their next steps after graduation including technical schools, trade schools, and colleges.
• First Year Retention Program (FYRP) Continued Denver Kids advising for one year after high school graduation to support postsecondary education enrollment and persistence.
• Alumni Program Lifelong alumni program launched in 2025 to maintain connections to Denver Kids graduates and provide ongoing support beyond the FYRP year.
• Enrichment Student Advisory Council (ESAC) Student leadership program where council members develop skills in interviewing, public speaking, event planning, and budgeting through hands-on experience while advising the Enrichment Team.
• Young Professionals Council (YPC) A group of young professionals interested in making a meaningful impact through volunteerism, fundraising events, and community partnerships while developing future philanthropic and nonprofit leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.8% on-time high school graduation rate for Class of 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wagner Equipment CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gala sponsor for Denver Kids events supporting fundraising efforts.
• 2UminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2022Corporate partner where mentor Rachel Lange previously worked. Employee volunteer involvement with Denver Kids.
• Molson CoorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Event sponsor for MLK Business Awards Luncheon which provided college scholarships and vital support for Denver Kids programming promoting educational advancement and economic opportunity.
• HealthONEminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Event sponsor for MLK Business Awards Luncheon supporting scholarships and programming.
• US BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Event sponsor for MLK Business Awards Luncheon supporting scholarships and programming.
• CharcutnuvominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2021Local small-batch charcuterie producer that donated 10% of September website sales to Denver Kids.
• Denver Urban ScholarscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Merger completed July 2019, combining 97 years of combined experience serving Denver youth. Expanded capacity to serve students across more schools and strengthened youth-serving programs.
• Florence Crittenton ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Partnership established in the 1980s to provide wraparound support for pregnant students and teen mothers referred to Denver Girls by Denver Public Schools.
• Boy Scouts of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Partnership in the 1950s-60s allowing Denver Boys to participate in annual camping trips and youth development activities.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Community partner in the 1950s-60s providing youth development opportunities alongside Denver Boys.
• Zonta Club of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1970Co-founded Denver Girls in 1970 alongside the Junior League and with support from Rotary Club of Denver and DPS, following the successful model of Denver Boys.
• Junior League of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1970Co-founded Denver Girls in 1970 to extend the mentorship and academic support model to female students.
• Rotary Club of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Founding partner in 1946 when Denver Boys was established. Rotary Club of Denver partnered with Denver Public Schools to provide academic support, mentorship, and job skills for boys whose fathers did not return from WWII. Rotary Club continues as an ongoing supporter.
• Denver Public Schools (DPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Core partnership since 1946. DPS provides school access, facilities, and administrative support. Denver Kids Educational SEL Counselors are embedded in schools to provide direct student services.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is a nonprofit providing one-to-one youth mentoring across Colorado with similar mission, volunteer mentor model, and youth development outcomes; directly comparable to Denver Kids' Volunteer Mentoring Program.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver serves at-risk youth in the Denver metro area with academic support, mentoring, college and career readiness, and enrichment programming directly overlapping Denver Kids' core service offering for DPS students.
• Communities In Schools of Colorado: Communities In Schools of Colorado embeds school-based coordinators inside public schools to deliver integrated student supports, mirroring Denver Kids' embedded Educational SEL Counselor model within Denver Public Schools.
• College Possible Colorado: College Possible delivers near-peer coaching and college access support to low-income high school students in Colorado, directly comparable to Denver Kids' Youth Pathways Postsecondary Program and First Year Retention Program.
• Bottom Line: Bottom Line provides long-term one-to-one college access and success coaching for first-generation students from high school through degree completion, paralleling Denver Kids' relationship-based, multi-year student mentoring and postsecondary support model.
• iMentor: iMentor pairs high school students with adult mentors for college access support through structured digital and in-person mentoring, mirroring Denver Kids' volunteer-mentor pairing and college-readiness emphasis.
• Denver Public Schools Foundation: The Denver Public Schools Foundation raises philanthropic support directly aligned to DPS student success, sharing Denver Kids' exclusive district-level partnership and overlapping donor and corporate sponsor base in the Denver market.

Broad incumbents

• National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR): MENTOR is a national umbrella organization supporting the youth mentoring field with resources, advocacy, and research, broader than Denver Kids' single-city direct-service model but operating in the same youth mentoring category.

Regional players

• Denver Urban League: Denver Urban League delivers youth education and workforce development services for underserved Denver communities, intersecting with Denver Kids' first-generation college student and at-risk youth segments in the same regional market.

Others

• Mile High United Way: Mile High United Way is a Denver-area funder and convener that allocates dollars to youth-serving nonprofits and is a likely ecosystem partner, not a direct service competitor, but closely tied to Denver Kids' donor and grant funding landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DenverKidsInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/DenverKidsInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/denverkidsinc
• Xx.com/denverkidsinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/denverkidsinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Denver Kids