Students, schools, and communities thrive when they have the access, tools, and resources to drive change. That’s why RootED provides funding and strategic support to schools and organizations that authentically engage their communities to create world-class public schools for every student in Denver.
We believe all children deserve the chance to dream big. So we’ve set an audacious goal: all Denver Public Schools students will attend a high-performing school that prepares them for what’s next — success in college, in careers, and in life.
Reaching this goal requires a departure from the status quo. Today, four of five low-income third graders are not reading and writing at grade level; 3 of 4 are not at grade level in math [based on analysis of DPS CMAS Data], and two of five low-income students do not graduate high school [based on analysis of CDE graduation statistics]. This lack of access to a quality education disproportionately affects students of color and students with disabilities.
Many of these children and their families, educators, and surrounding communities are left out of efforts to improve their schools.
RootED’s investments in schools and school-improvement partners are consistent with our values.
We’re investing in partners that ensure students, families, and educators are at the center of decision-making about plans to improve their schools — and that academic gains benefit all kids. Specifically, our funding priorities include:
RootEd does not issue requests for proposals. Rather, we invite conversations with organizations, schools, and school leaders who have ideas and programs that are aligned to our goal that every student will attend a high-performing school.
Contact us to learn about requesting funding from RootED.
Click here to learn about the organizations and schools we currently fund.
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Pat has served on the executive leadership team at Revolution Foods for the last 8 years where he led and oversaw national school/community partnerships within existing and expansion markets across the United States. During his tenure at Revolution Foods Pat led operations, account management and business development. Prior to joining Revolution Foods he was a Vice President with Aon-Hewitt, the world’s largest human capital consulting firm, and Vice President at Vail Resorts, where he oversaw operations for guest services, finance, marketing, sales, retail, food and beverage, and human capital for the national club division.
He is actively involved in education advocacy in Colorado. He is the current Co-Chair of Colorado Succeeds Board and is on the Board of Catapult School Leadership and Colorado Succeeds. He was formerly a member of the Eagle County School District Board.
Pat is a graduate of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado and also holds a graduate degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Colorado.
He and his Wife have three children, Kaitlyn, Max and Sean all of whom have attended and/or graduated from DPS schools (DCIS and EAST).
Victoria comes to BSP from Denver Public Schools, where she most recently worked as executive assistant to the Chief of Staff. She was born and raised in Denver, and attended East High School and UC Boulder. She is a veteran community leader and political strategist who has played pivotal roles on many successful campaigns, including those of Mayor Michael Hancock, DPS Board President Nate Easley, Gov. Bill Ritter, President Barack Obama, and – as a young girl – Lt. Gov. George Brown, who became the first African-American elected to a statewide office in 1975. She has earned numerous awards for her efforts, including the Tribute to Black Youth Award for Outstanding Community Service and a Women Making History award from the Colorado Black Women for Political Action.
TeRay Esquibel is a DPS graduate. He was awarded the Daniels Fund Scholarship that afforded him the opportunity to attend the University of Denver. While attending DU, TeRay dedicated himself to breaking down barriers to higher education within his community. TeRay went on to participate and work in the El Pomar Foundation Fellowship program. Most recently, TeRay worked as an Admission Counselor at the University of Denver serving Denver and Aurora Public Schools. In this role, TeRay engaged with Denver Public Schools, and its community, to empower students (and their families) on their journey to furthering their educational horizons by acting as a liaison for the the university and external organizations dedicated to increasing the enrollment and persistence rates for students coming from traditionally underrepresented communities throughout Denver
(970) 390-0378
pdonovan@rooteddenver.org