Impact

People support DU for a singular purpose: to make a difference.

Each member of the DU community has a unique reason for giving and all are united in the purpose of making a difference. Explore the impact of that generosity and how The Denver Difference is coming to life.

Mae Philanthropies Grant Adds Key Support to DU Research on Veterans and Service Dogs 
February 12, 2026
highlands ranch
University of Denver Launches Hub for Housing Innovation
February 10, 2026
Art, Ethics, and the Power of Provenance
February 2, 2026
Clem Endowment Gift Expands Internship and Career Pathways for Media, Film, and Journalism Studies Students
January 15, 2026
A World of Gratitude: The Legacy of Konstantin Messas 
January 7, 2026
Beloved Professor’s Final Gift Supports Next Generation of Lamont Musicians
December 12, 2025
People standing
The Cycle of Giving: The Howard Family’s Partnership with DU and Its Students
November 21, 2025
4D Peer Mentor Program
November 17, 2025
Championing Bold Ideas: The Barbara Kreisman Community Impact Fund Will Empower Research, Discovery, and Innovation in Higher Education 
October 14, 2025
Three people standing in front of the Aurora ICE Detention Center
The Immigration Law and Policy Clinic: Advancing Justice, Legal Skills, and the Public Good 
September 19, 2025
Downhill Speed, Uphill Dreams: DU’s Para Alpine Champ Audrey Crowley Earns Prestigious Willy Schaeffler Scholarship
September 19, 2025
From Student to Supporter: Leah Wallerstein’s Journey of Impact 
September 15, 2025
Campus with students walking in the background
The Denver Difference: 2025 Philanthropy Advances Purpose and Powers Change
September 8, 2025
Chatfield Headshot
Quiet Generosity, Enduring Impact 
August 21, 2025
Taylor Merrit Headshot
Philanthropy Strengthens Family Businesses through DU’s Bailey Program for Family Enterprise
August 21, 2025
Scholarships Changed Denise O’Leary’s Life—Now She’s Paying it Forward 
June 16, 2025
Students walking on campus
Students Benefit from DU Community’s Generosity on 1DAY4DU
June 12, 2025
Morris DesMarais Headshots
How two dogs instigated a $1 Million Gift to DU’s Institute for Human-Animal Connection  
May 19, 2025
Distinguished Alumni Awards Recognize Excellence and Community Impact
May 19, 2025
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell: Nationally Respected and Community Focused
May 7, 2025
Watson Family Provides Largest Gift in DU Swimming and Diving’s Program History
April 29, 2025
Gift Advances Holocaust Awareness through DU’s Center for Judaic Studies
April 29, 2025
Erik Estrada headshot
Charitable Organizations Transformed Erik Estrada’s Life—Now This DU Law Grad is Paying It Forward
April 21, 2025
How a hot day, a thirsty dog and a neighborly offer led to a life-changing experience
April 21, 2025
Tomé gift Empowers DU Students’ Entrepreneurial Innovation 
April 9, 2025
Photo of DU Athletic Field in sunshine
Denver Rolls Out Plans, Publicly Sets Fundraising Goals for “Barton 2027” 
March 5, 2025
DU’s Burns School’s student experiences strengthened by a $2.5 million TOLD Foundation gift
February 26, 2025
University of Denver campus in the winter
DU’s Alumni Council: An Investment of Love 
February 5, 2025
Tribal Wills
Where There’s a Way, There’s a Will
January 30, 2025
two men standing in front of a research board
KIHA is Changing What it Means to Grow Older
December 23, 2024
Photo of Chancellor Haefner, Mrs. Haefner and two alumni at the NYC Campaign Launch Event
The Denver Difference Brings DU’s Future to New York City
December 4, 2024
Zak holding custom painted Chuck Taylor sneakers with "Behind the Sneakers" and The Denver Difference logo
Behind the Sneakers
October 29, 2024
Daniels College of Business Exterior
A History of Good
October 14, 2024
aerial view of campus in the spring
Philanthropy in 2024 Sets Course for Dynamic Future
September 6, 2024
Ivan Hernandez sitting at a desk on his laptop
Brains, talent and ambition are the cake.
September 6, 2024
Otto Tschudi
A Legacy in Skiing and Leadership: Otto Tschudi Endows Alpine Head Coach Position
July 10, 2024
Kesselmans and grandchildren
The impact of a great teacher goes on. So does the gratitude of his students. 
June 4, 2024
Doctors in Operating Room
Shaping Tomorrow’s Hip Replacement
May 29, 2024
The 4D Experience at University of Denver
May 13, 2024
STEM students at the University of Denver gathered around a telescope in a classroom
Pioneering New Pathways for Equity in STEM
May 13, 2024
Dave and Gail Liniger
Liniger Center on Franchising will be a New Resource for Business Community
April 18, 2024
Enrichment Program
Enrichment Program Marks 20 Years of Lifelong Learning
April 18, 2024
Katie Calhoun
DU Introduces Groundbreaking Classes to Combat Eco-Distress, Climate Anxiety CopySeeking Solutions to Homelessness Leads GSSW Grad on Unstoppable Path
April 18, 2024
Students doing recycling work
DU Introduces Groundbreaking Classes to Combat Eco-Distress, Climate Anxiety
April 18, 2024
Image of brain
DU Lab Tapped for Research into Preventing Parkinson’s Disease and Related Dementias
April 18, 2024
Campus
Ritchie School Students Build Assistive Technology
April 18, 2024
image of robot
AI for the Public Good
April 18, 2024
image of classroom
Morgridge College of Education to Provide Research Framework for Black Student Success Program at Denver Public Schools
April 18, 2024
image of blue bus
Mobile Early Learning Program Drives Preschoolers in Right Direction
April 18, 2024
Anthem Video
April 18, 2024
Kennedy Mountain Campus
April 18, 2024
aerial view of campus in the spring
Illuminating Impact
April 11, 2024
Frederick Pardee with his honorary PhD diploma from the University of Denver
Pardee estate bequest brings total University of Denver giving to $24.5 million
April 10, 2024
Civil Discourse
April 10, 2024
Arial view of University of Denver campus in fall with Denver skyline in the distance
The Denver Advantage
April 9, 2024
Individual balancing on a ropes course against a blue sky at the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Bucksbaums’ $2.5 Million Gift Accelerates Adventure at Kennedy Mountain Campus
April 8, 2024
Blanket wrapping ceremony
Supporting Native American Culture by Giving to DU
April 8, 2024
Derek Ricke accepting an award
Career Difference-Maker: The Daniels Alumni Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship
April 8, 2024
Group of choral singers performing at the Lamont School of Music
McGoldrick Matching Gift Campaign raises over $4M for DU’s Lamont School of Music
April 5, 2024
Two women (one older, one younger) embrace while speaking.
A Passion for Healthy Living Leads to an Investment in Healthy Aging
April 5, 2024
Condoleezza Rice speaking on stage at an event
Korbel Celebrates First Full-Time Rice Family Professor of Practice
April 5, 2024
Woman smiling and patting horse with desert landscape in the background
What Do Animals Think and Feel? A Generous Gift to Establish DU’s Institute for Animal Sentience and Protection May Provide Answers
April 5, 2024
Two students speak with a professor surrounded by painting supplies and art on the walls.
It Takes an Artist to Appreciate the Value of an Endowed Art Professorship
April 5, 2024
Person in outdoor gear facing away from camera overlooking dramatic Colorado mountain sunset view
DU and The VF Foundation Launch New Outdoor Leadership Industry Program
April 5, 2024
Group of individuals seated in a circle for counseling.
Helping the Helpers: Graduate School of Professional Psychology Launches Clinic for Families of Children with Mental Health Conditions
April 5, 2024
Group of elementary-aged students pose for a photo outside school grounds with blue sky and mountains in the background
New funding helps DU’s Center for Rural School Health and Education Satisfy the Demand for Mental Health Services
April 5, 2024
Aerial view of University of Denver campus with mountain range in the distance
University College Partners With Ziplines Education To Provide Credentials to Busy Professionals
April 2, 2024
Lynne and Mel Cooksey
A Life in Sonata Form
April 2, 2024
DU students walking in a hallway with campus in the background
The 4D Experience is compelling theory. Zainab Alikhan and Cole Young prove it’s even better in practice! 
March 23, 2024
Davis New Mexico Scholars
Scholarship Seeds Planted in New Mexico are Flowering at DU
March 13, 2024
John Montaña and life partner Dr. Michelle Behr
Redefining Pay it Forward
February 28, 2024
John Madden Jr. sits in an upholstered chair in a musieum
In Memory of John Madden, Jr.: Visionary Businessman, Collector of Art, and Philanthropist
January 24, 2024
Electron micrograph of extracellular vesicles (colorized in purple) on top of the surface of a C. elegans embryo
DU’s Allen Distinguished Investigator Conducts Breakthrough Research on Brain Function
January 17, 2024
Arial view of University of Denver campus in fall with Denver skyline in the distance
Kirkpatrick Gift Funds Early Literacy Efforts
November 7, 2023
DU Graduation cap with the letters du decorated
Pat Hamill Addresses Class of 2023, Kicks Off Post-Grad Lives With a Gift
June 10, 2023
Julia DeTar
From Trash-Free Fridays to Aspen Institute Future Leader: One Nathanson Fellow’s Story
April 25, 2023
2022 1GENU students gather on the DU campus.
First-Generation DU Students Benefit from Anonymous $10 Million Gift
March 6, 2023
Exterior of Daniels College of Business on the University of Denver campus at sunset
Restauranteur Gives Opportunity Through Scholarships
June 16, 2022
Russell Noles
MBA Alum Invests in Students’ Success
May 9, 2022
daniels peer shaking hands
Students Encouraged to Expand Horizons through Business Scholarship
March 14, 2022
Hockey team players during a hockey game
Honoring a Legend by Supporting DU’s Hockey Student-Athletes
February 9, 2022
Exterior of Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver in the snow
Pilot Program Expands Ethics at the Daniels College of Business
February 2, 2022
Barbara and Andy Taylor
Andy and Barbara Taylor Give $20 Million to Support Students and Operations at DU’s Kennedy Mountain Campus
January 28, 2022
Archive photo of a young Joy Burns
Joy Burns’ Estate Gift Extends Her Legacy of Supporting Students
November 18, 2021
Students walking at the Kennedy Mountain Campus
Introducing the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus
October 5, 2021
Jack and Sheila Weinberg
Leadership Gift Names Denver Men’s Soccer Head Coaching Position
June 28, 2021
DU Graduation cap with the letters du decorated
Alumnus Imran Khan Creates Opportunity Through Scholarship Gift
February 23, 2021
Tryg and Vicki Myhrens in an art gallery
Myhren Generosity Benefits the Student Experience Across Campus
February 17, 2021
Robert and Judi Newman
Gift from Robert and Judi Newman Benefits Music Students
February 4, 2021
Small child plays with practitioner using a puppet toy while seated on the floor of a clinic space
LARRK Foundation Gives $1M for Perinatal to Five Mental Health
November 16, 2020
Arial view of University of Denver campus in fall with Denver skyline in the distance
Community and Opportunity Through the DULAA Scholarship
September 16, 2020
Eric Lindstrom and Michael Pulman
A Partnership and a Legacy
May 26, 2020
Exterior of Ricketson Law Building at the University of Denver. Blooming flowers in the foreground.
Private Property and the Public Good
March 10, 2020
Lacrosse Coach
Pioneers Establish William G. Tierney Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Endowment
February 18, 2020
Exterior of the Daniels College of Business building
$1M Gift Launches First Family Business Program in Higher Education in Colorado Region
July 3, 2019
Doug and Mary Scrivner on the University of Denver campus
$14 Million Gift Establishes Scrivner Institute of Public Policy
September 20, 2018
Joseph Saunders addressing a crowd outside on the University of Denver campus
Opening the Door for the Next Generation of Difference-Makers Through Scholarships
May 18, 2018
Man with a Hockey T-shirt and Woman with flowers at a Hockey game
Denver Announces First Endowment of Head Coaching Position
February 15, 2018
Cappy Shopneck, Jane Hamilton and families seated at ceremony for tennis gift.
DU Trustees and Alumni Donate $2 Million for Denver Tennis Park
January 11, 2018
Exterior of the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy with blossoms in the foreground
Korbel School Awarded Carnegie Grant
January 25, 2017

Where Next?