What Prosperity Denver Fund does

Prosperity Denver Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages and distributes revenue from a dedicated 0.08% Denver city sales tax to support postsecondary education and career pathways for Denver students. Established through a 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative (with tax collection beginning January 2019 and scheduled to sunset in 2030), the fund operates as a public-private intermediary: it does not serve students directly but instead reimburses eligible 501(c)(3) Denver-serving nonprofits up to 75% of qualifying costs for scholarships, support services, and training programs. Reimbursements are paid twice annually (spring and fall) when students achieve success milestones, creating an outcome-conditional funding model that is described as unique nationally.

The organization runs three core reimbursement programs: the Collegiate Scholarship and Support Services Reimbursement Program for two- and four-year college and technical school scholarships, the High School Support Services Program (HSSSP) for postsecondary preparedness, and the Credentials Reimbursement Program covering registered apprenticeships, teacher training credentials, and industry-recognized credentials in healthcare, IT, construction, and skilled trades. The technology layer is a partnership with Aidkit, an online submission platform that partners use to submit reimbursement requests and supporting documentation. Dedicated customer-facing information is also delivered through the organization's website, social media channels, and community newsletters.

The business model is a managed-distribution model: revenue is not earned from customers but rather collected via a voter-authorized municipal sales tax and then disbursed to a network of 80–100 partner nonprofits as of fall 2025. Since inception the fund has distributed over $65 million and supported 63,713 students. Distribution is free to partner organizations and contingent on student outcomes, with a small internal team (CEO Rebecca Arno, Director of Programs Korrine Salas Young, Director of Communications Adriana Lopez, and communications staff) operating from a downtown Denver headquarters at 104 N Broadway. The organization is geographically constrained to Denver, with eligibility tied to residency and graduation from a Denver high school or extended Denver residency.

Name

Prosperity Denver Fund

Legal name

Prosperity Denver Fund

Website

https://prosperitydenverfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Prosperity Denver Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes revenue from a dedicated 0.08% Denver sales tax to reimburses eligible Denver nonprofits up to 75% for student scholarships, high school support, and career training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Funding Nonprofits

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO)

Keywords

• Education funding programs
• Nonprofit reimbursement
• Student scholarships
• Workforce development
• Career training

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. City Sales Tax Revenue: Funded by a 0.08% sales tax (less than one cent on $10) approved by Denver voters in 2018 ballot initiative. The tax began collection in January 2019 and sunsets in 2030. Revenue is distributed as reimbursements to nonprofits that support Denver students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Prosperity Denver Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes funding from a 0.08% Denver city sales tax to reimburse eligible Denver-serving nonprofit organizations up to 75% for student scholarships, high school support services, and career training in apprenticeships and credentials. Distributions occur twice annually (spring and fall) to partner nonprofits when students achieve success milestones, supporting Denver students pursuing postsecondary education and career pathways.

Product overview

Prosperity Denver Fund is a nonprofit that manages and distributes funding from a 0.08% Denver sales tax to reimburse eligible Denver nonprofits for student education and career support programs. The organization operates three core reimbursement programs: the Collegiate Scholarship and Support Services Reimbursement Program for two- and four-year college scholarships, the High School Support Services Program (HSSSP) for postsecondary preparedness in high schools, and the Credentials Reimbursement Program for apprenticeships, teacher training credentials, and industry-recognized credentials. Funding is provided twice yearly (spring and fall distributions) to partner nonprofits who then support Denver students in their educational and career pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Collegiate Scholarship and Support Services Reimbursement Program A reimbursement program that partially reimburses qualifying nonprofit organizations up to 75% for eligible scholarships and support services for two- and four-year collegiate programs, helping Denver students pursue college degrees while minimizing debt. Targets 501(c)(3) Denver-serving nonprofits.
• High School Support Services Program (HSSSP) A reimbursement program providing funds to qualified organizations for high school initiatives aimed at increasing postsecondary preparedness and enrollment among low-income Denver residents, helping students plan for their futures after graduation. Targets Denver-serving nonprofits serving high school students.
• Credentials Reimbursement Program A reimbursement program that reimburses qualifying nonprofit organizations up to 75% for eligible training and support service costs for learners pursuing registered apprenticeships, teacher training credentials, and industry-recognized credentials in fields such as healthcare, IT, construction, and skilled trades. Targets Denver-serving nonprofits supporting career training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $65 million distributed since 2018
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Mi Casa Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1976 by West Denver parents, Mi Casa educates, trains, and supports youth and adults along career and business pathways. Programs include Career and Business Pathways, financial wellness, digital literacy, and ESL. Received spring 2025 funding from Prosperity Denver.
• City Year DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit serving 29 U.S. cities with AmeriCorps members in Teacher Pathway pilot program. Helps students feel welcomed and connected to school community while developing strengths. Received spring 2025 and spring 2026 funding.
• Denver Scholarship FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner that collaborates with DPS high school students and families statewide to increase access and completion of post-high school learning. Operates DSF Future Centers.
• CrossPurposecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2012, provides free career planning, skills training & certifications, and relational support. Helps Denver neighbors move from poverty to prosperity through workforce development.
• Minds Matter ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects driven students from low-income families with people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college. Provides deep mentoring and academic programming.
• Puksta FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Harry and Eva Puksta, promotes civic engagement among students at five of Colorado's top universities. Has more than 400 alumni and 63 current students with 97% graduation rate.
• African American Trade Association (AATA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2020, bridges education, capital, and employment gaps in the African American community through entry-level certifications and Registered Apprenticeships in healthcare, renewable energy, and construction.
• RISE 5280coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides equitable opportunities to close educational attainment gaps for Black and Brown youth. Post-Secondary Readiness program includes HBCU visits, mentorship, and life-skills education.
• Sachs FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurthers racial equity for Black Coloradans through education and community programming. Has supported more than 3,000 Black Coloradans with $1.9 million in scholarships last year.
• GRID AlternativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrains Denver youth to become solar installers through free training programs for income-eligible adults. Provides stipends and creates pathways to green economy careers.
• TechNation CareerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns Information Technology Support Specialist program that connects Colorado tech companies with skilled newcomers including refugees and immigrants ready to work.
• Colorado Women's Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes women over age 25 with scholarships and support services. Current cohort is almost 80% first-generation, about half single moms, and half women of color.
• Emily Griffith Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical college partner providing career training and credential programs supported through Prosperity Denver funding.
• Prodigy VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough personal development and hands-on learning in Prodigy enterprises, young adults build foundation of mindsets and skills for sustainable lives and economic mobility.
• American Indian College FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's largest charity supporting Native higher education, providing more than $23 million in scholarships in 2024-25. First-time Prosperity Denver recipient in spring 2026.
• Housed, Working & HealthycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver nonprofit helping people experiencing housing instability create self-sufficiency through culinary arts training, workforce training, employment placement, and mental health support.
• Ednium: The Alumni CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting alumni and students in their educational journeys.
• Colorado UpLiftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing Denver nonprofit partner providing youth development and educational support programs.
• Denver Kids Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing support services to Denver students.
• Latinas First FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Latino students through scholarships and mentorship programs.
• Latin American Educational FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides educational support and scholarships to Latino/a students in Colorado.
• TheDream.UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting DREAMers with scholarships to pursue higher education.
• Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Teaching Apprenticeships and educational support programs.
• Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeships and Training CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Inside Wireman and Residential Wireman Apprenticeships.
• The Park PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates TreeForce program - a paid 6-8 week pre-apprenticeship introducing people to urban tree care careers.
• HighViewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent Accelerator Program helping motivated students from low-income backgrounds succeed in college and launch into careers.
• Horizons ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer program helping students develop love of learning and skills to see themselves on path to and through college.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Kalamazoo Promise: Universal scholarship promise for Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates; one of the most direct analogues to Prosperity Denver's dedicated public funding of postsecondary access for local students.
• El Dorado Promise: Universal scholarship program funded by a private foundation for El Dorado (AR) graduates; structurally similar scholarship promise serving a defined local student population.
• TheDream.US: National scholarship provider for DREAMers and undocumented students; a current Prosperity Denver partner that operates a comparable scholarship-driven postsecondary access model for a defined student population.
• Say Yes to Education: National scholarship and support program operating in multiple cities, providing tuition aid and wraparound services to low-income students; closest national-scale analogue to Prosperity Denver's multi-program approach.
• Tennessee Promise: Statewide scholarship program providing last-dollar tuition-free community college; analogous large-scale public-funded postsecondary access program with strong outcomes accountability.
• Pittsburgh Promise: City-level scholarship program providing postsecondary funding to Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates; highly comparable scholarship-promise model with similar eligibility and outcomes orientation.
• New Haven Promise: Place-based scholarship promise for New Haven Public Schools graduates tied to community impact goals; directly comparable scholarship-promise structure with strong outcomes orientation.
• Denver Scholarship Foundation: Long-standing Denver nonprofit partner operating DSF Future Centers in DPS high schools; directly comparable mission in increasing postsecondary access and completion for Denver students, though a partner rather than a funder.

Broad incumbents

• Daniels Fund: Colorado-based philanthropy that funds education and other causes statewide; comparable education-grantmaking mission at broader geographic and programmatic scale.
• The Denver Foundation: Denver's largest community foundation managing charitable assets for the metro region; comparable local philanthropy infrastructure and overlapping mission areas in education and community development.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ProsperDenFund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCExample
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProsperityDenverFund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prosperitydenverfund
• Instagraminstagram.com/prosperitydenverfund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Prosperity Denver Fund