Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
Supporting the positive development of young children in Colorado.


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Top banner photo credits, left to right:
*ECDC/African Community Center
*Bal Swan Children's Center
*Children's Outreach Project
*Early Connections Learning Centers
*Elizabeth Early Childhood Programs
*Mount Saint Vincent Home
*Starpoint









   
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

In 2012 the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation will celebrate its 50th anniversary.  In the past decades, the foundation has provided funding to support hundreds of nonprofits.  We have honed our grantmaking strategy and today are the only foundation in Colorado dedicated to supporting early childhood at such a deep level.  We have contributed nearly $100 million to local agencies, primarily in the areas of early childhood education and development.  In just the last year, the foundation awarded grants to more than 260 nonprofit organizations in Colorado, totaling more than $8.5 million to support early care and education infrastructures and direct services for young children and their families.

This is an exciting time to be involved with the early childhood sector.  New research continues to show that the greatest impacts are made during the earliest years of a child’s life.  It is through quality interactions, relationships, and education that children are able to start school ready to succeed and learn.  We know that when children do not enter school ready to learn it is unlikely that they will ever catch up with their peers, more likely that they will not graduate from high school, more likely that they will become teen parents, and more likely that they will abuse alcohol and drugs.  It is because of this that the Buell Foundation works to improve the quality of and access to early childhood education programs, increase the knowledge of parents and providers, improve system infrastructure, and build leadership in the early childhood sector.  We value quality and know that it is only in the highest quality programs that all children have the chance to thrive. 

In our work throughout the state we hear time and again that the early childhood field wants to be seen as a profession and that more leadership is needed.  At the Buell Foundation, we have sustained our efforts to improve the leadership of early childhood professionals in Colorado and will complete an initial five-year commitment to the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program this spring.  Through this program we have seen 100 fellows from every region of the state complete a master’s level certificate program, many progressing to completion of a master’s or doctoral degree.  These fellows represent the promise of an improved early childhood system that is focused on best practices, committed to progress and outcomes, and has gained broad support from Colorado citizens.

In November, the Foundation was honored to receive the 2011 Outstanding Foundation of the Year Award at the National Philanthropy Day celebration in Colorado.  This award is given to the foundation that demonstrates great commitment to encouragement of nonprofit organizations around the state.  Thanks to Tere Keller-Amaya and the other 99 Buell Fellows for nominating us for this prestigious recognition.

In the past year, the Foundation lost two valued trustees.  Deedee Mayer passed away in January of 2011 after serving as a member of the board for ten years.  She brought with her a strong understanding of the nonprofit sector and a high level of compassion for the individuals doing the hard work throughout the state.  In October 2011, Judge Luis Rovira passed away.  He served on the board for 17 years, providing a unique and analytic perspective on our activities.  He was deeply committed to the work of the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation and improving the lives of Colorado’s children.  Both of these individuals will be greatly missed. 

We are excited to announce our two newest trustees, Noelle Hagan and Steve ErkenBrack.  Noelle, of Gunnison, CO, is an organizational capacity consultant and meeting facilitator for nonprofits and local governments.  She previously served on the Montrose City Council, including two terms as Mayor.  Steve ErkenBrack currently serves as President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Plans in Grand Junction, CO.  We are honored to include these two new trustees as members of our board and are excited to learn from their experiences and perspectives.

Our work would not be possible without the dedicated individuals and nonprofit organizations improving the lives of children and families around the state.  We look forward to 2012 as a year of possibilities and progress.  We are eager to continue working alongside our grant partners as well as those in the broader early childhood system in Colorado.

 
                         
Daniel L. Ritchie                                            Susan J. Steele
President                                                        Executive Director

 

 

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Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation

1666 S. University Blvd., Suite B, Denver, CO  80210     (303) 744-1688   Fax (303) 744-1601