Board of Directors · Board Meeting Agenda
October 28, 2026 Board Meeting
Read before Wednesday
Revenue Realities
| Revenue stream | Actual | Budget | Remaining | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Donations | $5,012 | $547,990 | $542,978 | 0.9% |
| Foundation Donations | $248,770 | $621,000 | $372,230 | 40.1% |
| Corporate Revenue | $12,180 | $283,000 | $270,820 | 4.3% |
| Partner Revenue | $80,973 | $395,000 | $314,027 | 20.5% |
| Medicaid Billing | $56,013 | $400,000 | $343,987 | 14.0% |
| Government | $66,102 | $548,122 | $482,020 | 12.1% |
| Gala (Annual Dinner) | $0 | $355,000 | $355,000 | 0.0% |
| Total Revenue | $469,051 | $3,150,112 | $2,681,061 | 14.9% |
The tick on each bar marks 25%, one quarter of the fiscal year. Most individual giving lands November–March, and Gala revenue is recognized in June. Actuals: G&G July–September FY27 statements; budget: FY27 board-approved budget.
Run of Show
- 8:00–8:1313m
Coffee + Connection Time
Time for board members to connect with each other before we begin.SeanConnect - 8:13–8:141m
Call Meeting to Order
Sean - 8:14–8:162m
Mission Moment: Meet Angeli
Read aloud: a LiftED NEXT graduate, a commuter campus, and an advisor who helped her own her path. We start with why the numbers matter. Read the story
KayeListen - 8:16–8:182m
Consent Agenda
- August 27 minutes: approve
- August & September financials: review (no approval required)
WendyApprove - 8:18–9:2870m
Working Session
- One shared financial picture. Every board member can explain in a sentence or two where we stand: a planned Q1 deficit, a strong balance sheet, tight cash until November, and End of Year Giving as the swing factor for FY27.
- A board that is all in on End of Year Giving before November 1. 100% of members with a gift or match committed, at least two pathways chosen, and 3–5 names shared.
Prepare with the Working Session Supplemental Packet (start with the Five-Minute Read).
KayeDiscuss + Commit - 9:28–9:302m
Upcoming Events Reminder & Close
See Upcoming Events.Sean
Meet Angeli
Angeli started college this fall with an associate degree already earned in high school. On paper, she was ahead. In person, she felt stuck.
At a campus meeting with her LiftED NEXT advisor, she shared that she had chosen a finance major mostly because of family pressure, and that she felt isolated on a busy commuter campus. Her advisor listened, then helped her build a plan, step by step:
- Explore switching from finance to marketing, a major that fits her creative side, and learn exactly how to change.
- Look into study-abroad programs, with encouragement and concrete next steps.
- Walk campus together to find student events, the rec center and clubs where she can belong.
She left that meeting curious and energized. This is what relationships in action look like: giving young people the permission and the tools to own their path.
Why it matters for the board: LiftED NEXT keeps advising graduates after they leave high school. Angeli’s story is that work, and it is one of the stories behind the third End of Year story window (LiftED NEXT, Dec 14–31).
From the October 2026 newsletter.
Dreamers of the Month
Each month we recognize youth who live one of our core values.
Itzayana Norez
2nd grade · RFMA · LiftED Futures
Core value Whatever It Takes
Brings joy to her classmates and instructors, makes sure no one is left out, and gives full effort even on hard days.
Liam Aarón López
4th grade · RMP: Ruby Hill · LiftED Futures
Core value We Not Me
On the first day of afterschool, he was the first to volunteer to help staff serve snacks and supper, and he has kept putting others first since.
Seran Ahmed
12th grade · LiftED NEXT
Core value An Inch Wide, A Mile Deep
Since NEXT started in September, she has taken initiative, jumped into new experiences, and invested in the LiftED community. She leads by example.
From the October 2026 newsletter.
Program Updates
Afterschool is open at every site
- All sites open with regular attendance; youth are visiting local parks and partnering with the Denver Public Library’s Lena Archuleta Branch.
- Grades 3–8 moved from Westwood to the Ruben Valdez Achievement Campus, hosted by RMP: Ruby Hill and RMP: Federal, for the rest of the year.
- The high school team is back at Green Valley Ranch twice a week, with stabilized funding.
- Glow Bright Family Night for Lights On Afterschool was held October 22 at The Sanctuary at Blossom House.
The Class of 2026 is in college, and we’re still there
- The Class of 2026 has started post-secondary programs, and advising continues after graduation.
- Melisa and Claudia, at CSU Fort Collins since August, met their advisor on campus and built action plans around self-advocacy and healthy coping as they navigate group-project conflicts and family expectations.
48 new referrals in September
- New school partners: DSST College View Middle & High, Colorado High School Charter (GES Campus) and Florida Pitt-Waller ECE-8.
- Clinical interns now handle initial consultations so youth see a clinician faster, which is the referral-to-active lag named in the CEO report.
From the October 2026 newsletter.
Spotlights
Karina Olivas, M.A., LMFT
Our Director of Clinical Education presented at Sazonando La Salud Mental, an all-Spanish mental health conference, in early October: “When speaking the same language isn’t enough: Culture, communication, and the therapeutic relationship.”
Standard Interiors
Standard Interiors hosted a fly-fishing-themed outdoor event with proceeds benefiting LiftED. Board ask: if you know the Hempel family or the Standard Interiors team, a personal thank-you this month goes a long way.
From the October 2026 newsletter.
Upcoming Events & Engagement Opportunities
Next ten weeks
- Thu, Oct 294:00–5:00pmBoard invited
Colorado Health Foundation Site Visit
Ricardo Flores Magón Academy
Our $125K OST funder sees LiftED Futures in action.
- Sun, Nov 1Every board member
End of Year Giving launches
Colorado Gives Day early giving opens
Share the launch post and make your personal asks.
- Tue, Nov 31:30–4:00pmBoard invited
CLF Higher Ed Discovery Fair
St. Cajetan’s, Auraria Campus
With MileHigh360; keynote Obinna Onyeali (Sachs Foundation).
- Tue, Dec 1Every board member
GivingTuesday
Online
Social share plus one text or email.
- Wed, Dec 28:00–9:30amBoard meeting
Board Meeting
IMA Colorado
End of Year pacing check: $70K by 12/2.
- Tue, Dec 8Every board member
Colorado Gives Day
Online
Optional: join the ELT for calls and texts.
- Fri, Dec 116:00–8:30pmBoard invited
CLF Holiday Celebration
Location TBD
With staff and interns.
- Dec 29–31Every board member
Tax-deadline sprint
50% Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit
Final personal nudge to your list.
- Wed, Jan 278:00–9:30amBoard meeting
Board Meeting
IMA Colorado
Save the dates: rest of FY27
- Wed, Mar 248:00–9:30amBoard meeting
Board Meeting
IMA Colorado
- Wed, May 58:00–9:30amBoard meeting
Board Meeting
IMA Colorado
- Sat, Jun 12Save the date
2027 Gala
Denver Art Museum
McHugh Honoree Jamie Van Leeuwen.
- Wed, Jun 238:00–9:30amBoard meeting
Final Board Meeting of FY27
IMA Colorado