MFF's 2022 Annual Report

We created and we listened. We made new connections. We impacted more than one million people.

WELCOME TO 2022: A WHIRLWIND OF A YEAR.

Welcome to 2022: a whirlwind of a year. As we reflect on MFF’s work, we are pleased to discover—and share with you—the impact of our investments. This year alone, we had direct impact on more than one million people and our indirect impact was almost ten times that.

We have a core belief that education is the most critical tool to help humans reach their fullest potential. That belief is the guiding light behind our grants— not just in the education category, but for all our partners. From upskilling and credentialing programs to those serving youth, advancing health and wellness, or teaching the next generation the importance of conserving the resources of our planet, education is connected to better outcomes in every industry and every community.

This report dives deep into how and why we fund the projects we do, and what we’re most passionate about. While we chose to spotlight our largest funding partners and the programs we created in-house, 80 percent of our investments in 2022 were less than $100,000. That’s because grants of any

size can help innovative nonprofits attract new resources, build partnerships and leverage coalitions to help them scale. Small planning grants can give nonprofits critical breathing room to develop new strategies and proposals that have the power to create meaningful change. This is as true today as it was in 2015, when we released Every Gift Matters: How Your Passion Can Change the World.

We are fortunate to live in a country that affords us the freedom to bring bold new ideas to fruition. Thanks to our network partners, we’ve been able to combine our investments with funding from governments, private sector organizations, and civil society groups here at home and around the world. As a result, we have been able to exponentially increase our impact.

We hope you feel inspired and motivated by what you read here. Reach out and let us know what you think!

CARRIE & JOHN MORGRIDGE Co-Founders Carrie & John

Education is the most critical tool to help humans reach their fullest potential. So, once again, education was the guiding light behind each of our grants.

FINANCIALS

Total Giving: $12,937,594 Lives Directly Impacted: 1,532,466 Lives Indirectly Impacted: 9,461,600

2022 FUNDING BY SECTOR

SECTOR

Arts and Culture • $1,559,446

Conservation • $782,416

Disaster Relief • $172,750

Education • $4,831,032

Health and Wellness • $3,413,026

Human Services • $518,990

Public Societal Benefit • $1,265,951

Women’s/Girls’ Initiatives • $393,983

Giving in our own backyard is a longtime value of the Morgridge Family Foundation. We are especially proud of the impact our grants make in the three states we are lucky to call home: Colorado, Montana and Florida.

MFF FUNDED 31 STATES AND DC AND IMPACTED 36 STATES TOTAL

83 NONPROFITS under $10K

28 NONPROFITS between $10K and $99K

29 NONPROFITS $100K and above

Number of Grants: 104

Total Giving: $9,261,900

Number of Grants: 11

Total Giving: $53,684

COLORADO MONTANA FLORIDA

Number of Grants: 32

Total Giving: $549,323

HOW FAR GRANTS GO: TOTAL FUNDING BY SECTOR AND PEOPLE IMPACTED*

Direct Impact Indirect Impact

*Impacts society as a whole or is an in-house MFF program

NETWORK PARTNERS

At MFF, we refer to our nonprofit grantees as “partners” because we work together equally. We provide funds, resources and introductions, and our partners provide expertise and boots on the ground to change communities for the better.

Some organizations—the ones we call “network partners”—provide even greater opportunity to collaborate. While these nonprofits receive grant funding from MFF, they also build connections across many sectors and serve as sounding boards for philanthropic best practices and investments. Perhaps most importantly, they understand our giving philosophy and frequently refer us to organizations that we may support. We do the same for them.

Together with these 2022 network partners, we have exponentially increased impact. By combining our resources, we have been able to accomplish so much more.

“Many organizations say the right things. MFF does the right things, over and over again. They define what commitment to others looks like. And more than anything else, they see their impact in the world through the work of their partners and grantees. Without a doubt— and you can ask anybody—they are the best partners. In this ever complicated world, we desperately need more organizations like the Morgridge Family Foundation.”

JIM BILDNER, CEO of the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

2022 GRANTEES

50 in 52 Journey

A Precious Child

ACE Scholarships

ACHIEVEability

Action for Healthy Kids

Adventure Cycling Association

Alzheimer’s Association

Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation

Arizona State University •

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Avanti Fellows •

Big Mountain Wildlife and Animal Sanctuary

Big Picture Learning

Big Sky Youth

Empowerment

Bishop McNamara High School

Book Trust

Breakthrough Alliance

Breathe Foundation

Bridgewater College

Brink Literacy Project

Brooklyn Community Foundation

Café Momentum •

Cancer Research Institute

Center on Rural Innovation

Clean Air Task Force

The Climate Initiative

The Coalition for Clear Vision •

Cobbled Streets

College for Kids

Colorado Food Cluster

Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Museum of Natural History

Colorado Open Lands

Colorado State Fire Fighters Foundation

Colorado State University

Colorado Symphony Association

Colorado Village Collaborative

COMMIT Foundation

Community First Foundation

Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie

Community Foundation

New Jersey

Community Foundation of South Lake

Conservation Nation

Creative Commons

Denver Academy

Denver Art Museum

Denver Biennial of America

Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Denver Children’s Home

Denver Zoo

Dolls for Daughters

DonorsChoose

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

Dubuque Public Schools

Dunnellon High School

Facing Abuse in Community Environments (FACE)

Family Reach •

Firefly Autism

FocusedKids

Ford’s Theatre

The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness •

FreeWorld •

Friends of Children with Down Syndrome

Getting Out and Staying Out

Global Conservation Corps

Greater Gallatin United Way •

Greater Good Charities — Taronga Zoo

Growing Up New Mexico

Guitars Over Guns

GRANTEES FOUND THROUGH OUR NETWORK PARTNERS:

• United Way

• DRK Foundation

• Stand Together

Habitat for Humanity

Metro Denver

• Legacy Fund Venture

• Yellowstone Club Community Foundation

Montessori

Intergenerational

University

St. Norbert College

Hibiscus Children’s Center

Hospice of the Treasure Coast

Hudson Link •

Humane Society

International

Impact100

Jane Goodall Institute

Jazz Aspen Snowmass

Katie Adamson

Conservation Fund

KIPP

La Follette High School

Lake Buena Vista High School

Lucky Day Animal Rescue

Madison West High School

Magical Bridge Foundation

Maricopa County Community College

Martin Memorial Foundation Mayhew

Metropolitan State University Denver

Middle Way

Mile High United Way

MindSpark Learning

MIT Solve

Montessori School of Denver

Montrose Rotary Club

Moonshot edVentures

National Council for Adoption

National Jewish Health

Navy Seal Foundation

NewImpact

New Profit

North Dakota ExA

Northeast Iowa

Community College

Northglenn High School

Northwestern University

Olympia High School

Plymouth State University

Project Helping

Raise the Future

Rocky Mountain Center for Health Promotion and Education

Rocky Mountain Prep

Rollins College

Sacred Cycle

Sailfish Point Foundation

Shedd Aquarium

SIRUM •

Southern New Hampshire

St. Vrain Valley School

District

Star Harbor Stetson University

TGR Foundation

The Trevor Project

Town of Palm Beach

United Way

Two State United Way of Central Indiana •

United Way of Dane County •

United Way of Greater Laporte County •

University of Central Florida

University of Montana

Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado

Urban Peak

US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation

Utah First Lady Foundation

Wakatipu Community Foundation

Wish for Wheels

Yellowstone Club Community Foundation

Yuva Unstoppable

Zora’s House

YOUTH

Building strong foundations for fulfilling lives.

Education lifts young people up and puts them on the right path. High-quality education is the foundation for turning students into happy and productive lifelong learners, and good citizens.

We support great leaders and nimble partners who can set a great example for students and catapult them into lives of meaning and purpose.

Our youth partnerships are filled with “a-ha” moments that illuminate how we can make innovative ideas and initiatives even better, and how MFF can best support each unique organization.

STUDENT SUPPORT FOUNDATION (SFF)

The Student Support Foundation was created 20 years ago by Carrie and John Morgridge to inspire and empower the next generation of American philanthropists.

SFF introduces students to the rewards and challenges of philanthropy through a simple model that teaches them how to give to causes they believe in. Each high school and college chapter is granted $4,000 by MFF each year to invest directly into their school’s community. Each chapter is required to fundraise an additional $250 and to have a dedicated adult sponsor. The students decide together which projects and requests to support with their funds.

In 2022, there were 17 SSF chapters across six states. Since the program began, SSF chapters have made more than $1 million worth of impact in their communities.

SSF grants have a significant meaning. Grants help teachers purchase muchneeded supplies. They assist fellow students with bills necessary for attending school, such as gas, rent and internet. They enable student groups to participate in and travel to national competitions and conferences. When a senior at Dunnellon High School in Dunnellon, Fla., passed away in a car accident, the school’s SSF chapter granted more than $600 to the student’s family. At Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Iowa, SSF members remodeled the school’s Giving Room, where students go to find food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies and clothing free of charge.

Giving is a powerful experience for SSF’s student members. They learn about the difference they can make through philanthropy and the challenges their peers and communities face. Ultimately, they learn they can make a difference in the world.

“SSF taught me that the world of philanthropy isn’t just throwing money at problems and hoping for solutions. It’s making carefully crafted choices about how you spend your money and thinking about how those choices will positively impact the most people.”

SSF MEMBER Plymouth State University

Since the program began, SSF chapters have made more than $1 MILLION WORTH OF IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

John and Carrie Morgridge (left) stock up for the PSU food pantry with SSF chapter president Alyssa Griffin ‘23 and Casey Krafton, SSF advisor and associate director of community impact at PSU.

ST. VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Located in Longmont, Colo., an hour north of Denver, the St. Vrain Valley School District is home to more than 33,000 students, making it the seventh largest district in the state. Thanks to their innovative leadership, use of technology and strong community partnerships, St. Vrain is nationally recognized and is ranked among the top eight percent of Colorado schools.

St. Vrain is a perfect example that when a dedicated leader is in place, public K-12 education can work for students, families, teachers and the community. Dr. Don Haddad, the district superintendent, has worked in education for 36 years, including nearly 15 years as St. Vrain’s superintendent. His proven leadership and dedication to his students have played a huge role in MFF’s decision to partner over several years with the district.

“One of our seniors was very shy and afraid of public speaking when he first began taking Innovation Center courses. Today, he is a paid project team member and the public personality for St. Vrain’s Twitter. He has become the beating heart of St. Vrain; his confidence grew as everyone learned his name. He plans to study communications in college and we

Our partnership doubled the size of St. Vrain’s Innovation Center, a space where students could learn outside the classroom. Thanks to new state-of-the-art equipment and professional mentors, students gained new media skills and certifications in areas such as graphic design and video production. They partnered with the Longmont Downtown Development Partnership on a professional contract to produce social media campaigns for local businesses.

Data shows that the student Innovation Center is worth replicating. From 2021 to 2022 there were:

• 26 percent increase in student enrollment

• 100 percent increase in course requests

• 22 percent increase in the number of students who were paid for their design skills

• 164 percent increase increase in the number of projects completed

MFF committed a capital campaign investment of $1.4 million, beginning with $250,000 in 2022.

DENVER ACADEMY

For more than 50 years, Denver Academy has provided innovative education, especially for students with varied learning profiles. Developing students’ interests, including in the performing arts, is a vital component of Denver Academy’s approach to teaching and learning because extracurricular success is proven to inspire confidence and fuel motivation in the classroom.

Denver Academy, located a stone’s throw from MFF’s Denver office, has been a partner for more than 20 years. In 2022, MFF became the final contributor to the school’s capital campaign with a $300,000 donation to build a new performing arts center.

Construction has begun on the performing arts center, with the opening expected in early 2024. The building will feature a new black box theater classroom, dressing and choral music rooms, a ticket office and space for building sets, plus a 250-seat theater—a much-needed increase over the 49-seat capacity of the previous space. The

performing arts center also will create other possibilities for community relationships, from summer camps open to students as well as nonstudents, and collaborations with neighborhood partners like the Clermont Park Senior Living Community.

A rendering of the new Performing Arts Center, expected to open in 2023.

The Head of School, Mark Twarogowski, with a Denver Academy student at the Performing Arts Center groundbreaking.

have no doubt that he will soar wherever he goes.”

– HILARY SONTAG

Executive Director of Advancement & Strategic Partnerships

FIREFLY AUTISM

Firefly Autism celebrates and supports the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum, from 18 months to 70 years+. Firefly takes a person-centered approach to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. They engage in active listening, teach self-advocacy skills and respect students’ wishes and boundaries.

The number of autism diagnoses continues to climb, making it the fastestgrowing developmental disability in the world, impacting all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. As a result, more families need interventions and more teachers need training. That’s why, in 2022, John C. Morgridge joined the board at Firefly Autism. And that’s why MFF made a $1 million commitment, beginning with a $483,000 investment in 2022, to bring a national training model to Colorado and to Firefly. The state-of-the-art training program

teaches ABA therapy, which is proven to improve the lives of people with autism and to transform behavioral health for patients and their families.

MFF’s creation of the Morgridge ASTAR Program (Advanced Student Training in ABA Research) ensures well-trained professionals are available to Colorado students with autism. Firefly is working to advance ABA training by building partnerships with Regis University, Craig Hospital and others. Through the ASTAR training program, Firefly reached more than 200 learners in 2022.

Ninety-three percent of their learners demonstrated progress toward school or work readiness and 100 percent showed progress in social and communication skills, cognition and learning skills, and adaptive skills.

“Quite frankly, we were in over our heads. We knew our son was struggling. Dr. McVey and the staff at Firefly Autism walked us through the process and answered our many questions along the way. Our son’s diagnosis was delivered with care, compassion and empowerment—we finally had a path forward. We will be eternally grateful for the support from Firefly Autism.”

– FIREFLY AUTISM PARENT

90% OF ATTENDEES

said they would come back next year. Ninety-seven percent were “very satisfied” with their overall experience.

UTAH’S FIRST LADY FOUNDATION

As Utah’s first lady, Abby Palmer Cox is an outspoken advocate for appreciating difference and building empathy in Utah and beyond. Her initiative, “Show Up,” creates programs that champion educator wellness, volunteering and foster care, among other causes.

MFF’s passion for training teachers expanded to Utah when we learned about First Lady Abby Palmer Cox’s initiative, Show Up for Teachers.

Our grant helped bring more than 1,200 educators—who impact more than 32,000 Utah students—to the #ShowUpForTeachers conference in Salt Lake City. With nationally known speakers and top mental health experts leading discussions, teachers gained tools and resources to maintain their own personal wellness and the well-being of their students and school communities.

The event included a special socialemotional learning session conducted by MFF partner MindSpark Learning. To continue building on the learning at the conference, the Utah’s First Lady Foundation funded MindSpark-led Executive Accelerators for two school districts and eight total schools across the state.

Nurse Leslie with Noah, a Firefly student.

MIT SOLVE: SOLV[ED]

MIT Solve connects social impact start-ups and social entrepreneurs with funding, resources and networks to solve global challenges related to learning, economic prosperity, health and sustainability. Solv[ED] sparks a sense of agency in people ages 24 and under by helping youth identify a social problem they care about, understand that problem as part of a larger system, design an effective solution and create a working prototype.

When MIT Solve pitched the idea of bringing their transformational programming and opportunities to a younger audience than ever before, Carrie Morgridge immediately said, “We’re in.” MFF invested $750,000 over three years to bring Solv[ED] to life. In 2022, the first cohort of 10 innovators was chosen from more than 800

100% OF THE TEAMS

rated the mentoring program as “catalytic” or “transformational” to their solution.

applicants. MFF senior advisor Nate Angell served as one of 19 distinguished judges.

In addition to receiving prize funding and micro-grants, the top 10 teams selected in the Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge are matched with mentors to help with tech development, fundraising, go-to-market strategy and more. Participants report increased visibility of their work, increased access to resources and improved data collection.

One hundred percent of teams who participated in the mentoring program rated the program as “catalytic” or “transformational” to their solution. One 2022 Solv[ED] Innovator even reported that, as a result of their mentor connection, they received a $10,000 donation in the form of in-kind resources.

“I was selected as the Global Winner of the AI Impact Creator Award at the Intel AI Global Impact Festival! This would not have been possible without Solv[ED]’s support. Visiting schools and interacting with students, teachers and school management enabled me to understand the challenges faced by students. I was able to let students use my prototype and get their feedback for improving my solution.”

– SOLV[ED] FINALIST

“Solv[ED] will give young people the opportunity to learn about and practice skills for social entrepreneurship. I’m especially excited about the ways that it’ll do this while bringing young people from around the world together.”

– EMMA YANG Founder, Timeless, Solv[ED] Youth Innovator

The 2023 Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge.

UPSKILLING & CREDENTIALING

Preparing all learners for the future of work.

We believe everyone deserves high-quality, affordable education that helps them choose careers they love, increase their earnings and live fulfilling lives.

Our partners are leading the way in creating upskilling and credentialing programs that serve the needs of modern students and the future of work. These programs help individuals advance their careers, improve job security and demonstrate commitment to their profession, while simultaneously aiding employers to build a more skilled and competent workforce. Our ultimate goal is to give people equal access to choosing their own path in life.

It’s clear that upskilling and credentialing programs are more than just a trend. Discover what our partners already have achieved—and how much potential they have for amazing work ahead.

CHILD WELFARE INITIATIVE

MFF’s Child Welfare Initiative was inspired by a stark reality: the child welfare system in the United States needs transformational change. MFF acts as a convener for bringing leaders to the table to find community-driven solutions.

The child welfare system in the United States is disparate—its rules and policies vary significantly by state, county and local jurisdiction. Our Child Welfare Initiative began informally in 2021, when we convened and learned from leaders and organizations that were working to improve the complex system serving children and families. In 2022, we launched a dedicated $1.4 million initiative to bring together experts, nonprofits and people with lived experience.

In Colorado, we partnered with Casey Family Programs, Think of Us, Colorado Action Lab, Mile High United Way and the Colorado Department of Human Services to create the Colorado Implementation Science Unit (CISU.) The CISU is a first-of-its kind team that works with small, local nonprofits to create and understand data across the system so they can gain more federal funding, improve access to evidence-based child welfare

programs and prioritize programs designed by and for BIPOC, rural, tribal and underserved communities.

In North Dakota, we launched the Child Welfare Executive Accelerator to empower frontline staff to solve the problems facing children and families through design thinking, executive training and research support. We trained 33 leaders in North Dakota, including 21 in the education field and 12 in the social services sector. The accelerator helped bridge the gap between educators and caseworkers, who together identified a need for new cross-sector resources such as an interdisciplinary psychological care team and a community resource map. Created and operated in partnership with MindSpark Learning, the accelerator will work with organizations in Indiana and Washington, D.C. in 2023, with more in the works.

Through the Child Welfare Initiative, we are working to increase transparency and communication about best practices, the latest research and what can be improved. We regularly share news and updates on the child welfare system through MFF’s blog and social media.

Members of the Colorado Implementation Science Unit Team, from left to right: DL Moffitt, Implementation Scientist; Ruth Kai, Implementation Scientist; Tiffany Madrid, Director of Strategic Research; Tynaje Thomas, Research Coordinator.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the country’s most innovative school, Arizona State University (ASU) prepares the next generation to thrive while advancing research, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship and economic development. ASU’s Agent Learner Initiative is pioneering techforward solutions to help universities innovate, provide better student outcomes and scale the highest-quality teaching and learning.

MFF was introduced to ASU through our network partner Stand Together. We were blown away by Michael Crow, the president of ASU who has led the school— and the higher education field—for more than 20 years, far longer than the average tenure. ASU’s new Agent Learner Initiative promises to be transformational for millions of students; MFF joined other funders to contribute $1 million toward the $30 million project, with the first of five $200,000 investments in 2022.

The Agent Learner Initiative will give learners greater agency over their education and their

records. It was created to address the lack of high-quality, personalized learning at scale in America’s universities. The initiative seeks to change higher education’s technology, culture and ecosystems to better serve modern students who gain degrees and credentials from multiple institutions.

The new Pocket app, backed by blockchain technology, will enable digital sharing of courses, accreditations, degrees and other credentials. The new Trusted Learner Network will connect academic institutions and employers to stored credentials in the Pocket app. A third innovation, Orchard, is a technology that supports personalized learning at scale by allowing educators to share curricula across universities. When fully developed, Orchard will serve as the first “marketplace” for higher education, where educators and students can share customizable content.

The Agent Learner Initiative is still in its infancy. We look forward to sharing its transformational results as they develop.

A third-party Bridgespan study found that each philanthropic dollar invested in Merit America between 2022-2025 will deliver an estimated MERIT AMERICA WILL DELIVER

AN ESTIMATED 21X RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

MERIT AMERICA

Merit America creates fast and flexible pathways to upwardly mobile careers for Americans without four-year degrees. Through coaching and peer support, Merit America helps talented workers leave lowwage roles and access fulfilling careers in in-demand fields.

We became involved with Merit America in 2020, when we made a program-related investment of $5 million. The potential we saw is now being realized. In 2020, Merit America served 366 learners; in 2022, they served 600+.

What sets Merit America apart are their strong relationships with major employers, including Google, Amazon, Infosys and more, and their laser focus on the most

in-demand careers, like IT support and data analytics. They truly empower their learners, giving them more choices and more agency in their own lives. In 2022, Merit America was named one of the year’s most innovative companies by Fast Company.

CUMULATIVE EST. WAGE GAINS

We’ve driven an estimated $300M in near-term wage gains into the pockets of hard-working Americans, validated by studies with UVA & Bridgespan.

WHAT IS A PROGRAM-RELATED INVESTMENT?*

A PRI is a below-market interest rate loan from MFF that provides financial support to a nonprofit or social enterprise so they can scale their promising ideas and reach more people. PRIs are often used to support social enterprises and other nonprofit organizations that are using innovative or unconventional strategies to address social and environmental challenges. In the near term, a PRI can help advance a nonprofit’s work. When the money is repaid, the lender can use the money to support another organization.

“I can’t think of a more disruptive project in higher education than the Agent Learner Initiative.”

– CARRIE MORGRIDGE Co-Founder of MFF

FREEWORLD

FreeWorld helps formerly incarcerated people find high-wage jobs in the trucking industry, with the ultimate goal of ending generational poverty and recidivism. Their tech-driven approach offers an expansive curriculum, job placement services and an enthusiastic community to create what they call “legit second chances.”

The Morgridge Family Foundation was introduced to FreeWorld through our network partner, Stand Together. We immediately agreed with Stand Together that FreeWorld’s approach is both effective and scalable. FreeWorld begins working with participants soon after they are released from prison and uses technology to provide wraparound services, including housing, transportation, identification, banking, training, credit score improvements, and financial and transitional planning. Graduates of the program stay in touch via a

Slack community and successful graduates— those who make more than $3,000 a month— pay a portion of their salary to help cover the cost for future participants.

With support from MFF’s gift of $220,000, 174 formerly incarcerated people graduated from FreeWorld’s program in 2022. That’s nearly 10 percent of FreeWorld’s overall impact. Eighty percent of those individuals already have been placed into high-wage trucking jobs.

Their impressive graduation and job placement stats in 2022 are part of a track record of success. In total, FreeWorld has served more than 2,000 formerly incarcerated people around the nation, helping to build pathways into six-figure careers in the trucking industry, creating more than $19 million in economic impact and saving an estimated $3.9 million in recidivism and social safety net costs.

TGR FOUNDATION, A TIGER WOODS CHARITY

TGR Foundation empowers students to pursue their passions through education. Through innovative programming and inspiring learning spaces, students create positive change for themselves, their families and their communities.

TGR Foundation’s TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim, Calif., helps students discover their passions and deepen their knowledge through real-world experiences. TGR Foundation’s student population is more than 40 percent female and 90 percent students of color, addressing the critical diversity gap in STEM fields. With support from MFF’s $100,000 grant in 2022, the Learning Lab helped students make classroom-to-career connections while developing work samples and transferable skills.

In 2022, TGR Foundation connected high school and college students with paid internships. Its programming helped high school students become certified in web

design, earning paid apprenticeships, while providing upskilling through internal and external training programs with Bitwise, Microsoft and SkillUp.

Miguel and Amelie Jimenez, who were introduced to the Learning Lab on a fifthgrade field trip, are a great example of success. Both had a love for science and knew they wanted to pursue careers in engineering. The siblings have gained knowledge of the engineering design process, hands-on experience and work samples for their portfolios through TGR programs. Amelie graduated from high school and is currently studying chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Miguel is a high school senior, actively participating in TGR workshops to prepare for college applications and financial aid processes to pursue mechanical engineering. The two are setting an example for their younger sister who plans to begin classes at the Learning Lab soon.

TGR served 2,472 students (5th–12th grade) in person, 500 college students, 342 educators and 333K digital participants. Since inception,

CEO of FreeWorld

“At FreeWorld, we are the community we serve. We deeply understand the challenges that our communities face, and that gives us a unique insight into potential solutions to solve the problems faced during reentry.”

– JASON WANG

THEY HAVE SERVED 185,000 STUDENTS IN PERSON.

Miguel and Amelie Jimenez with their mother.

COMMUNITY

Connecting people to each other and to their places.

When it comes to helping people reach their fullest potential, MFF believes that building community is as important as access to education. We invest where the best innovation is happening. We start looking in our own backyard and grow from there.

Since MFF’s founding in 2008, we have learned that no one knows a community’s needs better than the people living in it every day. We team up with our network of nonprofit partners and people with lived experience to devise sustainable, long-term solutions through trust, innovation, time and patience.

Together, we foster economic development and bring people together to strengthen social connections. Our work, and the work of our partners, improves quality of life and builds stronger, more resilient communities.

MFF PUBLISHING

MFF Publishing amplifies the work of leaders who are changing the world. Through nonfiction books, educational tools, comprehensive online reports and far-reaching digital content and campaigns, we help bring awareness to worthwhile causes and offer empowering, real-world insights.

By telling impactful stories that inform, inspire and educate, we can be much more than a funding partner to our grantees. With our resources and creativity in print and digital media, we are a valuable success partner. We help organizations learn and grow and become more efficient. We bring important stories to life.

In 2022, MFF Publishing worked with Wendy Steele, the founder and CEO of Impact100, to complete her first book, Invitation to Impact: Lighting the Path to Community Transformation

Last year alone, MFF Publishing shared 34 articles on our blog, The Reach. We featured more than 20 of our nonprofit partners and reached almost 300,000 people across social media platforms. Our newsletter open rate of 12 percent was higher than the average for nonprofit organizations. We continue to innovate in how we spread our message and share the work of our partners.

MFF Publishing’s work is comprehensive and diverse. Visit morgridgefamilyfoundation. org/publishing to learn more about our authors and projects.

Book Wendy Steele as a speaker at your next event by visiting WendyHSteele.com and purchase her book from her website or by scanning the QR code.

READ ABOUT THE WORK OF MFF AND OUR PARTNERS

at www.morgridgefamilyfoundation.org/stories or follow us on social media.

“MFF Publishing is all about reaching beyond preconceived notions, gaining exposure to different points of view and spreading the news of good work far and wide. We are always open to ideas.”

MAP

The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) was created by MFF to build a network of social impact professionals from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels, to collaborate and create solutions to the greatest problems of our time. MAP has three flagship initiatives: the MAP Fellowship, followed by MAP Project48 and MAP Summit Grants. To date, 83 percent of nonprofit organizations that participated in the MAP Fellowship stated they would be unable to complete their challenge in 6 months without their fellow.

In 2022, MAP experienced great growth. In March, MFF partnered with the Center on Rural Innovation to host the inaugural MAP Project48—a 48-hour, high-impact competition in which teams from three graduate programs vie to build the most impactful solution to a problem facing a nonprofit organization. The Center on Rural Innovation posed a data visualization challenge to simplify the process of creating clear, consistent and high-quality visualizations that advance their work for rural America.

Students from Columbia University—the ultimate winner—the University of Missouri and Parsons School of Design collaborated with mentors from leading organizations and, finally, presented to high-profile judges. All three teams did such an outstanding job that they all received a trip to Santa Fe, N.M., to collaborate in person with each other and the Center on Rural Innovation.

Later in the year, we awarded its first five MAP Summit Grants to mentor/fellow teams who completed the MAP Fellowship and wanted to expand the impact they had catalyzed. The grantees gained access to a pool of $50,000, funded by MFF, to expand their social innovation capabilities. They worked together with a nonprofit to help solve a challenge, while continuing to learn and grow personally and professionally. So far, one recipient traveled to Tanzania to implement a storytelling framework and lead training sessions, while another developed a podcast concept about the future of work.

MFF is grateful for the partnership with the Rieschel Family Foundation for accelerating MAP’s growth.

For more information on MAP, visit discovermap.org.

Later in the year, we awarded its first five MAP Summit Grants to mentor/fellow teams who completed the MAP Fellowship and wanted to expand the impact they had catalyzed.

IN-HOUSE PROGRAM

DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is one of the largest nonprofit theater organizations in the United States. It offers an array of programs to Colorado residents and visitors, including Broadway performances, a Tony Award–winning theater company, cabaret, off-site immersive experiences, event venues and services, educational programs and a children’s theater.

The Morgridge Family Foundation invested $225,000 in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ (DCPA) first-ever capital campaign to support theater renovations that will allow the center to serve millions

of people for generations to come. The renovations provided new levels of physical accessibility to all three DCPA theaters, including a new elevator in the main lobby, and installed new state-of-the-art technology to elevate performances. Now, more Coloradans—and people from all over the world—can access high-quality theater performances without having to worry about whether they can access their seats.

DENVER ART MUSEUM

The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the Rocky Mountain region, with 12 collections featuring more than 70,000 works of art and representing cultures around the world. The new Morgridge Creative Hub is a 5,600-square-foot space within the museum that provides communitydriven programming, interactive learning and celebrations of local talent.

The hub’s 2022 events included Print Jam, which celebrated Denver’s Month of Printing in March, bringing the artistic skills of 15 local printmakers to the museum through 14 live demonstrations and three hands-on workshops. The hub hosted 21 adult art-making classes throughout the year in which practicing artists taught woodcut printing, mixed-media collage, weaving and more.

MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS

participated in seven plays and two off-site immersive experiences hosted by the DCPA’s education programs and the DCPA Theater Company during the 2021–2022 school year.

The Morgridge Creative Hub opened in late 2021, making 2022 its first full year of programming. The hub fosters a sense of belonging, builds authentic connections and encourages play and creativity to support social and emotional well-being. Its unique event offerings, community convenings and comprehensive support bring art to life for local students, educators and every visitor to the museum. The hub hosts 100–200 people every day.

As with all of our work, it was important for the Creative Hub to advance education. During the 2022–2023 school year, more than 15,000 students visited the museum. Educator Nights in the Creative Hub help teachers of all subjects, as well as counselors, social workers, community liaisons and administrators, connect with each other, and with art enthusiasts and artists. The events are designed to show what art can offer in the classroom.

– ARPIE CHUCOVICH Chief Development Officer at the Denver Art Museum

“The Morgridge Creative Hub is a physical manifestation of the Denver Art Museum’s mission and the belief that art has the power to forge connections, bridge differences and transform lives.”

CSU SPUR

CSU Spur, located in north Denver, is the newest campus in the Colorado State University System. The high-tech property features buildings dedicated to food, water and health research and innovation, and is free and open to the public. All are invited to experience the groundbreaking science and research happening in real time.

We saw amazing promise for impact and innovation at CSU’s Spur campus. MFF was inspired to be a leading contributor to the project, which lies at the intersection of agricultural education, technology and entrepreneurship.

MFF’s $3 million grant—disbursed over four years—was the first large-scale private

donation to CSU Spur, which is a point of pride for both organizations. The grant helped to create the Morgridge Learning Lab in the Terra Building and the Morgridge Ag Pathway Scholars program.

The learning lab hosts hands-on, problembased learning activities for middle and high school students. It brings together youth, students, teachers, families and others from around the state to co-create and cosolve around food and agriculture industry challenges, fostering new career pathways and promoting agricultural innovation. The Ag Pathway Scholars program will build a tangible connection between urban and rural communities across Colorado.

COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE

Offering a blend of certificate programs, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees under one roof, Colorado Mountain College is the state’s first dualmission institution in higher education. Its mix of liberal arts education and hands-on career skills training puts students first, as does its focus on diversity and accessibility. CMC students graduate with $8,000 less in student debt than the average four-year college student in Colorado and more than 25 percent of its students identify as Latino.

Colorado Mountain College is a longtime partner of the Morgridge Family Foundation. Its connection to the Morgridges precedes the creation of the foundation itself. Carrie and John Morgridge began giving to the college in 1998, when they lived near its Aspen campus. Previous gifts focused on

upgrading and expanding technology across the campus and building meeting and learning spaces. MFF made a $1 million commitment, starting with a $250,000 grant in 2022, to build a state-of-the-art teaching and learning kitchen at CMC’s Aspen campus. The kitchen will continue the tradition of creating modern spaces that meet the needs of students and the community.

The new kitchen facility, expected to open in 2023, was inspired by the growing need for hospitality workers in Aspen and the surrounding area. It will expand the college’s offerings in culinary arts, resort management and hospitality at the certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree level and will deepen partnerships with local businesses. As with other spaces at the college, the kitchen will be open to community members.

“The new teaching kitchen at Colorado Mountain College’s Aspen campus will be an incredible asset to the community, to our students and to our partnership with the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. Similar to other investments made by the Morgridge Family Foundation to CMC over the years, this state-of-the-art culinary learning hub will bring people from all walks of life together and become a signature gathering space in the Roaring Fork Valley.”

– STEVE SKADRON Vice President and Dean, CMC Aspen and Carbondale Campuses and former three-term mayor of Aspen

A rendering of the new state-of-the-art teaching kitchen on CMC’s Aspen campus.

“CSU Spur is here to inspire the next generation of leaders to not only understand agricultural issues, but also to act and bring forward their ideas and fresh perspectives to create change.”

– TONY FRANK Chancellor of the CSU System

MILE HIGH UNITED WAY

Mile High United Way provides comprehensive, wraparound support to residents throughout the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. They pay particular attention to early childhood education, academic success for students of all ages and greater economic opportunity.

Mile High United Way is a longtime MFF partner. Their programs and initiatives evolve every year to meet residents’ ever-changing needs—and 2022 was no exception.

Last year, MFF’s first grant to Mile High United Way was for relief for victims of the Marshall Fire in Boulder. The devastating, three-day event started on December 30, 2021, and burned through January 1, 2022—becoming the most destructive fire in Colorado history. Within 48 hours, MFF was the first to donate to Mile High’s fund

139 BRIDGING THE GAP PARTICIPANTS received housing support.

IMPACT100

for victims with a $100,000 gift. Our early support helped raise a total of $43 million.

MFF support further contributed to Mile High’s HIPPY program, which provides evidence-based instruction to build parenting skills and kindergarten readiness for Denver-area families. HIPPY served 72 families in Aurora in 2022.

MFF’s grants, totaling $448,000 in 2022, also supported Mile High’s Bridging the Gap program, which provides housing, wellness and life skills coaching, educational support and access to professional development programs for young adults aged 18 to 24 years old who recently aged out of the child welfare system. Mile High United Way is an essential partner for MFF’s Child Welfare Initiative. Learn more about the Child Welfare Initiative on page 24 of this report.

Impact100 empowers women to give together and create transformational impact, locally and globally. Its 60+ chapters located around the world each have at least 100 members, who each contribute $1,000 per year to create a single, transformational grant of at least $100,000 to a nonprofit in their local community.

In 2020, MFF funded and conducted a research study to quantify Impact100’s effectiveness. As longtime supporters of Impact100, we had seen its power to build community, empower women through philanthropy and change lives; but they lacked the hard data to tell a compelling story and reach even more people.

We found that the Impact100 model successfully drives significant community impact, member satisfaction and member empowerment. Impact100 members become measurably more confident as philanthropists and get more involved in their community. Impact100 grants often serve as a stamp of approval in their local communities, resulting in further grants and opportunities for their grantees. In 2022, MFF Publishing collected the research findings and firsthand

stories, and published Impact100: Local Philanthropy Fueling A Global Movement. The coffee-table-style book is now an inspirational tool used for fundraising, building awareness and attracting new members.

Also in 2022, MFF completed the funding support for a book by Wendy H. Steele, the founder and CEO of Impact100. Invitation to Impact: Lighting the Path for Community Transformation—due out in April 2023—is an inspiring story about the power of generosity, Wendy’s idea and commitment to design and grow Impact100, and her evolution from mother, wife and leader in finance and banking, to creator of a global movement.

2022 HIPPY participant.

THE COALITION FOR CLEAR VISION

The Coalition for Clear Vision is an innovative group of doctors, activists, medical professionals, scientists, businesses, nonprofits and governments. Together, they are working to ensure that every person on the planet has permanent access to affordable, quality eye care services and glasses by the end of 2050.

The MFF team was impressed from the start by The Coalition for Clear Vision’s collaborative approach. Introduced to us by Legacy Fund Ventures, the Coalition successfully brings together diverse stakeholders from around the world to work toward a common goal through systemic change. It is not an easy goal to reach; and yet, their impact is astounding.

There are one billion people in the world who need, but lack access to, eyeglasses and vision care. The causes vary widely. Some areas lack infrastructure needed

to make affordable frames and lenses. In others, people are stigmatized for wearing glasses. Many are unaware they even have an eye problem because there is no comprehensive healthcare. When people cannot see well, they may be unable to work. The international economic cost of lack of eyesight is estimated to be greater than $250 billion per year. The social and cultural impact is even bigger.

MFF invested $115,000 in The Coalition for Clear Vision—a grant that has gone a long way. It allowed the Coalition to engage with experts to determine how to successfully reach their goal by asking questions critical to their success, such as, “What are the barriers that block us from scaling the existing solutions in a way that would allow us to reach everybody?” and “What change is needed in order to reach not just a million people in a country like India, but the billion people who need glasses today globally?”

FORD’S THEATRE

Ford’s Theatre expresses the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and celebrates the American experience. The theater provides rich cultural experiences to the Washington, D.C., community and visitors from around the world, through stage performances, digital education and artistic virtual offerings.

MFF’s partnership with Ford’s Theatre reflects the importance of making art, culture and history readily available to global communities. MFF’s $100,000 gift in 2022 supported the theater’s comprehensive artistic and educational programs as well as its physical expansion. Ford’s educational offerings help teachers and students analyze historical speeches, write persuasive speeches, listen and critique constructively, develop public-speaking skills and find their own voice, in honor of Lincoln’s legacy. Teachers report that Ford’s enriching approach helps “build a classroom culture of civil discourse and constructive feedback, supporting students in becoming active participants in our democratic society.”

A new building is slated to open in early 2024 on their D.C. campus, which will help promote access, equity, diversity and inclusion in their programming while

making more space available to members of the community and local arts and culture organizations.

56,000 AUDIENCE MEMBERS

experienced a performance on the Ford’s Theatre stage.

1,200+ TEACHERS PARTICIPATED

in professional development programs on topics ranging from Civil War Washington to Ford’s Approach to Oratory.

MORE THAN 12,800 STUDENTS were directly served by education programs.

“The MFF grant was incredibly helpful in terms of funding, but also as an early validation that we are on the right path.”

– PAVEL RICHTER Executive Director, The Coalition for Clear Vision

CONSERVATION

Empowering current and future stewards of our environment.

Our investments in conservation are a direct result of our belief in the power of education to change the world. Most of our conservation partners focus on educating future stewards of our environment and protecting and preserving our natural resources to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

As with so much of our work, we have learned how to better support conservation efforts after years of listening to and learning from long-standing partners. Today, we invest in a broad range of conservation organizations at the local, national and international levels.

Our work can help preserve the diversity of life on our planet and protect endangered species and their habitats.

Thanks to the digital learning platform GCC launched in 2022, they will onboard

40,000 STUDENTS

ACROSS SIX COUNTRIES IN

GLOBAL CONSERVATION CORPS

The Global Conservation Corps builds lifelong connections between communities and their nearby wildlife by investing in education and economic opportunities that focus on conservation.

MFF board member Michelle Morgridge sits on the Global Conservation Corps (GCC) board. Their work exemplifies the power of education to positively impact conservation immediately and into the future.

GCC’s Future Rangers program reaches 10,000 students per week to foster an appreciation for nature. As they get older, promising students gain access to skills and leadership training, and scholarship and job opportunities upon graduation. Until they participate in the Future Rangers program, many students have never seen the wildlife for which their area is famous—despite living in close proximity.

With support from a $215,000 gift from MFF, GCC expanded the breadth and depth of the Future Rangers program in 2022. They developed a new digital learning platform, including a mobile app.

HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL

They built the capacity to teach a holistic curriculum that includes instruction on physical and mental health.

“A few kids who graduated from the Future Rangers program were walking home when poachers called to them from outside the [Kruger National Park] fence and tried to bribe them for information on rangers and rhinos. The boys said they didn’t have information and told their principal, who is an advisor to the GCC board. He called the police and the poachers were apprehended. While they found two rhino horns with the poachers, those boys saved many more lives that day. GCC’s school education programs and game drives gave them a direct connection to the wildlife and world around them. This is the generational change GCC strives to make and the impact MFF has globally.”

Humane Society International (HSI) works to end animal suffering around the globe through rescue efforts, disaster response, veterinary clinics, empowerment of local organizations and strengthening human-animal bonds.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it became immediately clear that the Ukrainian people needed support from around the world in a myriad of ways. MFF’s longtime partner Humane Society International approached us with an opportunity to support their work in Ukraine itself and with Ukrainian refugees in surrounding countries. As dedicated pet owners and animal lovers, we contributed a $25,000 grant.

HSI rushed emergency funds to support Ukrainian shelters, veterinary clinics, rescues and zoos that were devastated by the ongoing invasion. They teamed up with local groups in Germany, Poland and Romania to ensure Ukrainian refugees received food for their family and pets, along with pet beds, veterinary services, financial aid, relief packs and additional supplies.

So many stories were both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

In Odessa, HSI and local partners provided soldiers with pet food to distribute within the war zone and to sparsely populated areas. When they had spare room in their vehicles or could carry more on their backs, the soldiers personally fed abandoned animals who would otherwise starve.

Slava, a Ukrainian refugee, found shelter in a refugee placement center in Moldova with her nine-year-old Schnauzer, Berta. Thanks to HSI and local partners, Berta was seen by a vet, received vaccines, a microchip and a passport, and received the special food required by her diet. At the time, Slava did not know her plan for the future. But she knew that, wherever she went, Berta would go with her.

2023.

Slava and Berta.

SHEDD AQUARIUM

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, is renowned for offering educational experiences that deepen people’s compassion and curiosity for aquatic life, and for advancing conservation initiatives that engage the imagination.

In 2022, the Morgridge Family Foundation invested $500,000 in the Shedd Aquarium’s Centennial Commitment—which promises to “accelerate access and connection to nature for all” in time for their 100th anniversary in 2030. The investment in 2022 is the first installment in MFF’s $10 million commitment to Shedd’s educational offerings.

One initiative supported by MFF’s funding was the creation of the Center for Animal Care and Sustainability. The first-of-its-kind, 48,000-square-foot facility will expand Shedd’s ability to advance solutions for biodiversity loss and species survival plans.

In keeping with MFF’s belief in the power of education, our funding allowed Shedd to expand equitable and culturally relevant experiential learning programs across science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics for students in Chicago. The comprehensive curriculum focuses on expanding environmental and scientific literacy, developing critical 21st-century skills and building job readiness.

With help from MFF funding, 17 teens were partnered with Shedd’s professional learning and research teams to assist with coral research, supporting efforts to sustain thriving reefs, and communicating the importance of the research to Shedd guests. Other students explored water quality, biodiversity and trash cleanup in the Chicago River and presented their projects to Shedd’s community partner, Urban Rivers.

TARONGA ZOO

The Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, works every day to secure a shared future for wildlife and people. They believe that we all have a responsibility to protect wildlife and the environment for future generations. Their approach combines comprehensive education programs with cutting-edge research and conservation techniques.

MFF first partnered with Taronga Zoo after a site visit in 2020, where we were inspired by their global leadership in cryopreservation research and their focus on education. We provided a $25,000 grant in 2022 that was matched dollar for dollar by the New South Wales government.

MFF’s investment supported detailed project planning for platypus conservation and for expanding their cryodiversity bank. Our funding contributed to updating the zoo’s two 40-year-old veterinary teaching hospitals—one of which is already open and serving Australia’s most unique and endangered wildlife. The hospital upskills veterinarians and veterinary nurses to meet the needs of any future environmental crisis.

Cryopreservation and biobanking technology are key features of the newly updated hospitals, enabling real-time research on ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef. Their work is instrumental in helping wildlife and nature respond to rapidly changing environments.

“MFF’s support to achieve our first critical milestone put Taronga in a strong position to inspire other leading philanthropists to come on board, which will help us reach our final target by June 2023. Taronga will be fully equipped to service the future needs of wildlife.”

– BRIDGET COUGHLIN

CEO of the Shedd Aquarium

– DEE VODDEN Trust and Foundations Officer, Taronga Conservation Society

“Backing by MFF is an intellectual, financial and visionary investment to build a positive future for our oceans, rivers and lakes and the animals and people that call them home.”

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Making good health more accessible.

Our health and wellness investments support holistic initiatives that seek to improve physical, mental and emotional health for members of all populations and communities.

Health is an especially multifaceted and complex area to fund—so we rely on the expertise of our network and partners to identify the greatest needs and best opportunities to innovate. As with all of our funding, we believe in the need to empower and educate the next generation to make the biggest impact, from fighting disease and providing equitable healthcare to training professional and recreational athletes for peak performance.

Good health benefits not only people and communities, but our society and economy as a whole.

NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH

National Jewish Health is an internationally recognized hospital in Denver that treats patients and conducts research in respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Founded in 1899, their mission has always been simple and ambitious: “to heal, to discover, and to educate as a preeminent healthcare institution.”

The Morgridge Family Foundation is a longtime supporter of National Jewish Health. In 2022, we made the final disbursement toward our multiyear $15 million grant that has supported National Jewish Health’s capacity to treat complex conditions and the development of its Morgridge Educational Campus, which includes the Morgridge Academy and the Morgridge Fellowship Program.

The Morgridge Academy is the only school of its kind on a hospital campus in the U.S. It’s a free K-8 school for children who have been diagnosed with chronic disease. Accredited by the Colorado Department of Education, it offers an academically rigorous experience, while nurturing the specialized medical, emotional and physical needs of every child. In 2022,

CLEVELAND CLINIC MARTIN HEALTH

National Jewish Health finished a complete renovation of the school, which now features bright, state-of-the-art classrooms, play areas and medical resources.

Current and past Morgridge Fellows at National Jewish Health are making profound discoveries. They become world-class physicians and researchers, while learning to balance their scientific work with compassionate interactions with patients and colleagues.

Frank Lee, PhD, is a National Jewish Health faculty scientist and a former Morgridge Fellow who is studying the regulation of inflammation. His groundbreaking work could eventually “switch off” inflammation in patients.

“This is an opportunity I would not have been able to imagine back in Taiwan,” said Lee.

“Without funding from the Morgridge Family Foundation, I would not have been able to come here for my postdoc. I have now been here and continued my research for six years. My appreciation is beyond expression.”

Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is a nonprofit, multispecialty healthcare provider that combines hospital care with research and education. They are a top hospital in Florida and experts in treating complex conditions.

This was the Morgridge Family Foundation’s first year partnering with the Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, located near the Morgridges’ home in South Florida. Our $125,000 gift enabled two major initiatives: expanding the Capen Fund for Kids to neighboring St. Lucie County and purchasing a Pediatric HAL®, the world’s most advanced patient simulator. HAL® is the first simulator capable of showing emotions through facial expressions, movement and speech. It helps healthcare professionals develop highly specialized skills to not only diagnose and treat pediatric patients but communicate with and comfort them as well.

The Capen Fund for Kids has helped hundreds of uninsured children and families access and pay for medical and dental care. When the Capen Fund steps in to help pay for a medical procedure, it helps families address many interconnected issues—the

child’s mental health, the family’s immigration status, medical debt and lack of education. It is a unique, lifesaving opportunity.

So far, MFF’s funding has allowed the Capen Fund to cover the costs for orthodontia and eyeglasses for six children who otherwise may have gone without care.

The Pediatric HAL®, which the Cleveland Clinic Martin Health staff affectionately named “Jack,” will help the hospital keep up with rapidly changing simulation technology and training requirements. Jack is portable, so it can be used outside the training center to mimic real-world situations. It is used to train x-ray technicians, registered nurses and specialty medical residents in intubation, ventilation via ventilator, defibrillation, traumatic brain injury assessments and much more. Forty staff members have already used Jack, with more trainings scheduled.

“The Morgridge Family Foundation has ensured that we can care for our youngest patients, no matter their needs.”

– ALEXANDRIA ANDERSON Director of Development, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health

FOUNDATION FOR BLACK WOMEN’S WELLNESS

The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (FFBWW) in Dane County, Wis., supports Black women through education, health advocacy and powerful partnerships. Its work ranges from one-on-one support to advocating for systems-level change. FFBWW engages and serves over 7,000 women per year, ranging in age from 13 to 80 years old.

Through the United Way of Dane County, MFF granted $50,000 to the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to implement and support their Saving Our Babies Initiative— an unprecedented cross-sector partnership with local health systems to improve Black maternal and infant health outcomes.

With additional funding, the FFBWW teams of health experts, community-based

114 BLACK WOMEN AND FAMILIES

received prenatal, birthing or postpartum support and help with financial needs, housing, food, childcare, transportation and employment.

CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Cancer Research Institute is a nonprofit organization focused exclusively on treating, curing and supporting cancer patients. It has helped to develop immunotherapy for over 30 cancers and reached more than four million patients worldwide.

In 2022, we contributed a $100,000 gift to the Landesmans’ fundraising efforts, which helped them reach $1 million in total funds raised for the Cancer Research Institute. Their story shows how everyone can make a difference with grit and determination, and how much more impact we can achieve together than apart.

doulas and community health workers were able to provide increased health and wellness education, programming, resource navigation and crisis support services to Black pregnant patients who are referred to the program when they screen positive for social determinants of health such as lack of housing, food, transportation or childcare.

FFBWW’s work makes a difference for the most vulnerable families. Preventing low birth weight for Black infants and improving Black maternal health reduces the risk of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Their programs promote health equity and increase economic stability for Black families in Dane County and have the potential to impact families around the world as a model that can be scaled and replicated in diverse communities.

The Morgridge Family Foundation’s gift to the Cancer Research Institute came about through a community-led fundraising effort, led by Dick and Jane Landesman, for research and treatment of brain cancer. The Landesmans began fundraising after their son, a doctor, died of the disease at an early age.

Reflecting on their experience raising $1 million for cancer research, the Landesmans had this advice to share, “Let’s all pay it forward and give the gift of life.”

MORE THAN $1,000,000 IN TOTAL FUNDS RAISED for the Cancer Research Institute.

“One person can change many things. Many people can change everything.”

– JANE LANDESMAN’S MANTRA, FIRST SAID BY DR. SEUSS

–

LISA

PEYTON-CAIRE CEO & Founder at the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

“Saving Our Babies demonstrates how systems, Black women and community partners can and must come together to creatively advance new strategies and solutions that make real and measurable impacts on Black birth outcomes.”

PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY

Plymouth State University is a public university in New Hampshire. It offers programs across 19 academic departments through an innovative Cluster Learning model that prepares students for today’s rapidly changing world.

Plymouth State University is a special place to the Morgridges—it’s the alma mater of MFF co-founder John D. Morgridge. As avid athletes, John and Carrie Morgridge were moved to support PSU’s new Human Performance Center with a $500,000, fouryear grant, of which $125,000 was funded in 2022. The new Morgridge Strength and Performance Lab was an opportunity

to invest in students’ learning and career potential, as well as their physical and mental health.

At 16,000 square feet, the new lab is nearly 10 times the size of the previous facility. It will be used as a teaching lab by a wide range of health and science academic programs, and by the Plymouth community through an open laboratory interface. The lab features classrooms where students can devise strength and conditioning plans and then put them into practice in the equipment room. This interdisciplinary model helps students develop a more holistic understanding of their coursework.

“Utilizing the Morgridge Strength and Performance Lab as a teaching tool is one of the main concepts here. But even just looking at the athletic side, we’re definitely in a different league when it comes to what we can provide as a NCAA Division III school. Many Division I schools don’t even have a space this size.”

– JOHN “JT” THOMAS Director of Strength & Conditioning, PSU

US OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION

Funded 100 percent by American donors, the US Olympic & Paralympic Foundation provides resources such as coaching, equipment, mental health support, tuition grants, and training and travel stipends to Team USA. In doing so, it helps US athletes remain competitive with athletes from the rest of the world and reach their highest potential.

Did you know the United States is one of very few countries in the world that doesn’t use government resources to fund their Olympic athletes? The US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) steps in to fill critical gaps. As dedicated athletes themselves, the Morgridges were immediately drawn to supporting elite athletes in achieving their goals. In 2022, Carrie Morgridge and John Farnam, managing director at MFF, joined the USOPF board, and MFF provided a $600,000 fouryear grant, of which $150,000 was paid in 2022.

The grant helps Team USA athletes show up as their best selves on and off the field. More than ever, that means athletes need mental health support. The USOPF’s Mental Health Assistance Fund, with support from MFF, provides comprehensive resources, including:

• Education and prevention services

• A Team USA Mental Health Support Line and 24/7 access to telemedicine services for mental health support

• A comprehensive registry of more than 200 providers to help athletes find inperson mental health support near their homes or training locations

• Hardship resources to support athletes who require services beyond what their insurance covers, including inpatient care

LOOKING AHEAD

MICHELLE & NATE SPOTLIGHT:

Michelle Morgridge, the daughter of Carrie and John D. Morgridge, and her husband Nate Angell continued to grow and flourish in their roles at the foundation.

In the family spirit of giving, they connected with exceptional leaders and organizations to support the causes they are passionate about and developed their own unique giving style.

DEDICATED BOARD SERVICE

• Michelle was the vice president of the board for the Global Conservation Corps (GCC), which builds lifelong connections between communities and their nearby wildlife by investing in conservation-focused education and economic opportunities.

• Nate was on the board of directors for Upcycled Food Foundation, which supports research on food waste reduction and engages everyday grocery shoppers in food waste solutions.

TRANSFORMATIVE GRANTS

• Michelle and Nate funded a $10,000 MAP Summit Grant for fellow Ellie Milano to visit mentor Matt Lindenberg, the CEO of GCC, in South Africa. They explored programming opportunities and an updated business model, and helped the GCC board build new partnerships. Ultimately, the grant will allow GCC to drive bigger benefits for wildlife, nature and communities.

• For a second year, they funded The Morgridge Family Foundation Land Stewardship Fellow at Colorado Open Lands, Griselda Landa-Posas. Colorado Open Lands protects the state’s land and water resources through conservation easements.

EVENTS & EXPERTISE

• They co-chaired Urban Peak’s annual fundraiser, Urban Nights, alongside MFF teammates John Farnam and Paul Heitzenrater—raising a recordbreaking $860,000. Urban Peak seeks to ensure all Colorado youth have safe housing, supportive relationships and the opportunity for self-sufficiency and success.

• Nate served as a judge at the inaugural Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge, choosing the first cohort of 10 innovators from 800+ applicants.

• Nate served as a thought leader on topics from nonprofit leadership burnout to board relations through articles in The Reach.

As dynamic and successful as our work and partnerships were in 2022, we know the best is yet to come. We look forward to more growth, ideas, disruption and collaboration in 2023.

Our long-term nonprofit partners continue to flourish, and we have fruitful new partnerships in the works. Look out for innovations in food security with the expansion of the food utility concept and transformational programs to address housing crises. The Morgridge Acceleration Program community will continue to expand, bringing in more passionate social impact professionals. Two MFF Publishing titles will hit bookshelves. New resources to help nonprofits build their research and evaluation capacity will become available.

We know there will be even more to share this time next year. Thank you for reading and thank you for joining us on this journey.

We’ll leave you with a smile:

In December 2022, the MFF team gathered to collaborate and celebrate a successful year. As part of our time together, we wanted to give back to our home community of Denver.

We partnered with Wish for Wheels to build 25 brand-new bikes for second graders at Schmitt Elementary School. We tested our teamwork skills to build the bikes together in the MFF office and then drove to the school alongside the colorful Wish for Wheels truck to present the bikes and helmets to the students.

Each member of the MFF team personally connected with a student by teaching them to ride the bike or by sharing the freedom and joy of biking. The bikes will have a ripple effect in the students’ lives. They are proven to help increase attendance in the Title 1 schools supported by Wish for Wheels, and to create a lasting love of biking in the children.

MEET THE TEAM

JOHN & CARRIE MORGRIDGE Co-Founders

What giving areas are you most passionate about?

John: Education that leads to lifelong learning. To give individuals the power to lift themselves up to reach their highest human potential and lift up their community.

Carrie: Every day, we learn about a new sector that is solving big problems. I love getting behind big, bold, new ideas that are changing the world for good.

JOHN FARNAM Managing Director

What is your giving philosophy?

Find a cause that sings to your heart. Dig in with not only your funding but your advocacy and cheerleading on behalf of the organization.

BARBARA

BROOKS Director of Publishing & Communications

What is your giving philosophy?

The more I learn about my community—and the people and organizations with true vision—the braver I’m becoming to support really big ideas. Giving is a long game, and I’ve got time!

TONY

Director of Strategy

What is your giving philosophy?

There’s lots of data to discern when deciding where to give... but, don’t forget to trust your heart and gut too!

GALLEGOS Program Manager

What giving areas are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about making a difference in pregnancy and family outcomes—from paid family leave to affordable healthcare, quality day care to strong public schools—all of which help create a better foundation for our children to thrive.

PAUL HEITZENRATER Senior Advisor

What giving areas are you most passionate about?

It is important to me to support organizations that help people realize their full potential and tear down the roadblocks keeping individuals from success. Currently, I am drawn to organizations working to find the root causes of hunger, homelessness, abuse and social injustice.

COHN

ASH

SABRINA KRONICK Office Manager

What giving areas are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about giving to animal shelters/rescues and zoos. Dogs, cats and other animals can’t control what happens to them, but good humans can.

EMMA SPOFFORD Director of Administrative Services

Which 2022 initiative was most meaningful to you?

I really appreciate that MFF allocated funds to the team to donate to the causes that most spoke to them.

KELSEY THOMPSON Communications Manager

What is your giving philosophy?

I love to talk to respected leaders in the philanthropy community and ask them, “What projects or organizations are you impressed with right now and why?” This question has led me to learn about organizations that I would otherwise not have discovered.

Which 2022 initiative was most meaningful to you?

The Morgridge Acceleration Program—on a professional level, I contributed to the new website launch and program promotion. On a personal level, I met so many passionate social impact professionals who continue to inspire me every day!

What is your giving philosophy?

My giving philosophy to is to make childhood magical, which includes supporting inclusive outdoor play, child wellbeing and more.

Strategic Change and Evaluation Specialist

What is your giving philosophy?

There is nothing that means more to me than giving in my own backyard, to truly innovative leaders and organizations. I love to find new ideas to take a risk with and fund something that doesn’t fit traditional giving lanes.

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What giving areas are you most passionate about?

We are very passionate about community building— uplifting, supporting and bringing together members of our community. We are also very passionate about conservation. We seek to not only protect the environment but positively contribute to its well-being through initiatives that engage communities as key participants in our ecosystems.

What is your giving philosophy?

Be kind to all critters.

MICHELLE MORGRIDGE & NATE ANGELL Executive Board Member & Senior Advisor,

JOHN C. MORGRIDGE Executive Board Member

HILLARY MORGRIDGE Senior Advisor

Paws-itivity Advisor

ELISABETH WILSON