Cherry Creek Schools Foundation celebrates 2025 ELEVATE Gala, raising $550,000
Inspiration, laughter, and joy filled the Hyatt Regency DTC on March 27 along with hundreds of supporters at the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation’s annual ELEVATE Gala. The event raised approximately $550,000 for the Educator Initiative Grants program.
The event was emceed by Foundation Board Member Amisha Singh and Eaglecrest High School senior Jayda Ward and included student performances by the Cherokee Trail High School’s Jazz Choir CutTime, Eaglecrest High School theater students, and the Overland High School Chamber Orchestra.
Valencia Culbreath, Foundation chair, welcomed the audience and shared her thanks to everyone in the audience for helping not only bring this event to life, but also to their dedication to supporting students.
The Educator Initiative Grants program, which provides grants to student-serving educators to enhance the educational experience of students, awarded $194,000 in grants for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees also helped support the Foundation by bidding on items in the paddle raise, silent auction, and live auction, which included a Fiddler’s Green VIP Experience, Denver Broncos Experience, Private Chef Experience, and a stay on a luxury yacht in St. Thomas.
The event also honored Jill Henden, former Executive Director of the Foundation, celebrating thirteen years leading the organization. Superintendent Christopher Smith also spoke on the current challenges facing public education and urged the audience to contact their legislators, advocate, and continue supporting the need for high-quality education experiences for all.
The event was generously supported by:
JHL Constructors, United Healthcare, Westerra Credit Union, DLR Group, GH Phipps, Johnson Controls, Haselden, HCA HealthOne, CBRE, Turner & Townsend, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Aurora Foundation, The Housing Authority of the City of Aurora, COBank, The Knoll Team at West + Main, 1st Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Holland & Knight, RBC Capital Markets, Kore, UC Denver, Saunders, Plante Moran, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, MA Meyer, Stifel, GTC, Cherry Creek Education Association, GH2 Architects, Hord Coplan Macht, Ratio Design, ANB Bank, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Alpine Bank, BC Interiors, Butler Snow, Credit Union of Colorado, Cuningham Group, Hilltop Securities, J.P. Morgan, Os Schools, Piper Sandler & Co., and Comcast.
