Mission

To provide financial support to Emily Griffith Opportunity School in the areas of student scholarships, innovative projects, capital improvements, instructional equipment, and endowment.

Overview

The Emily Griffith Foundation, Inc. was established in 1990 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation to provide financial support to Emily Griffith Opportunity School in the areas of student scholarships, capital improvements, innovative projects, endowment, and other needs which cannot be funded by the regular financial sources of the school. The Foundation receives financial donations from individuals, families and organizations committed to supporting Emily Griffith Opportunity School and its students. Gifts and bequests are managed and administered by a volunteer board of directors.

The Emily Griffith Foundation has provided approximately $1,600,000 to the Emily Griffith Opportunity School for capital improvements, program enhancements, and equipment. Additionally, the foundation has provided $850,000 in scholarships for over 500 students annually.

Giving Guidelines

Donations are tax deductible. The foundation receives grants from other foundations, corporations, organizations, and direct contributions from individuals. Donors may provide gifts to be used at the discretion of the foundation or may designate specific departments or areas of concern. Your gifts this year can insure tomorrow's future for EGOS students. The foundation has a newly established endowment fund.

What to Contribute

We gratefully accept the following: Cash, securities, real estate, life insurance, retirement plan assets, bequests, and automobiles.

Benefit Yourself While Helping Others

Did you know you can most effectively plan your estate by giving to charitable organizations the assets that are most costly for your loved ones to inherit? Check with your attorney or tax advisor about the many ways to increase your personal income, gain tax benefits, and support the work of your favorite charities. Consider charitable remainder trusts, charitable annuities, wealth replacement trusts, and charitable lead trusts.

Recent Projects

Ronald D. Yost Technical Training Center

In an effort to meet the growing need for trained technical employees in the metro area, Emily Griffith Opportunity School opened the Ronald D. Yost Technical Training Center in March 2001. The newly remodeled area transformed an out-of-date welding/pipe-fitter training shop into a state-of the art technical training center thanks to the generosity of Mr. Yost and The Emily Griffith Foundation. The center contains 4,327 square feet and can serve at least 1,000 students per year. The space is divided into three spacious computer labs with the most current equipment, functional furniture, and three smaller laboratories for hands-on training. Sixty students can be accommodated in the rooms at one time.

Communication Conferencing Center

In September 1999, Emily Griffith Opportunity School opened a Communication Conferencing Center. The Center was funded by grants from 14 foundations, corporations, individuals, and technology funds from the school. The design of the Center allows for delivery of information by video, overhead projection, audio, film, computer, DVD, lecture, satellite downlink, Internet, and micro dish. Work stations with laptop computer hookups enable students to access the Internet, interact with other educational sites and each other, and gain first-hand experience with technology they'll be using in the workplace.

Scholarships

The Emily Griffith Foundation awards approximately 500 scholarships each year.

Three recent recipients are profiled below.

Jose Clark

Originally from Sonora, Mexico, Walcott scholarship recipient and professional sewing student, Jose Clark comes to Emily Griffith with a background in AutoCAD, which he applies to fashion construction & design. Jose's goals after Emily Griffith are to start his own design studio and fabric shop. Jose recently participated in the Art of Fashion, a social event benefiting the CultureHaus extension of the Denver Art Museum.

From CultureHaus: "This show featured several student designers from the Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Guests were wowed by the talent and creativity of these aspiring young designers... CultureHaus was not the only beneficiary of the evening. Jose Clark of Mexico won a trip to New York. He will accompany Crystal Sharp and Darby Donohue to New York City where he will experience first hand the magic of Fashion Week and the Garment District."

Laura Ruiz

Laura, a Mordecai scholarship recipient and former stay-at-home mom, is steadily working her way through the automotive program. Her intention is to use this education to help the people of her church and community.

Laura says: "I don't really want to get a job as a mechanic. I just want to be able to help people who can't really afford to have their cars fixed. I feel this is the plan God has for my husband and myself." Laura and her husband, Rico, have been happily married for 17 years, and are the proud parents of 9-year-old Anthony.

Nicole Edwards & Vidal Perez

Nicole and Vidal are both full-time cosmetology students here at Emily Griffith. They are also both recipients of Mordecai scholarships. In December 2005, with only 2 days advanced notice and the knowledge that they would be competing against licensed professionals, Nicole and Vidal entered the Hair With Flare contest. Professional competition didn't slow them down for a second. They worked hard, planned wisely, and designed a wonderfully beautiful, exotic and complicated piece. Their dedication paid off in a big way, as they won first place in the show!

Location and Contact

1250 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80204-2197

Phone: 720-423-4722

Fax: 720-423-4729

marilyn_bowlds@dpsk12.org