Member Highlight: Denver Architecture Foundation
Tell us about you: provide a short bio or organization statement.
The mission of the Denver Architecture Foundation is to inspire people to explore our dynamic city, experience the importance of design to our quality of life and envision an exceptional future for Denver. We offer many ways to connect people with the city of Denver: walking tours guided by the practitioners, developers, and managers of the sites themselves for the “real story,” and lots of special events in the unique venues only found in Denver.
Share a story of how your organization engages with the business sector (i.e. sponsorship, volunteerism, etc.).
The Denver Architecture Foundation engages daily with the business sector! We are deeply grateful for sponsorships for Doors Open Denver, our annual festival of the built environment, and value our contacts among these forward-looking and innovative leaders. We love to meet with other non-profit executives too, to “talk shop” about our organizations and the creative ways we each design programming and maximize our resources. We have a really strong Board of Directors, composed of diverse individuals who are expert in legal and real estate practices and have keen financial acumen, to complement our roster of architects and engineers.
One great illustration of such a business partnership is the meaningful support we receive from IMEG. An executive at this top engineering firm donates significant time and knowledge to serve on our Board, our Executive Committee, and chairs our Fundraising Committee, lending experience and management skills to all that we do. They also make generous donations, attend all of our special evens, and volunteer for Doors Open Denver.
Another superb business partnership is with Bloomberg Connects, who invited us to participate on their global cultural platform. The Denver Architecture Foundation is thrilled to have our city knowledge showcased, educating the public while building awareness of our capabilities. And, Bloomberg Connects partnered with us to become the official digital guide to all the events!
How has this engagement with business benefitted you and your organization?
Our business partners contribute both strategically, tactically, and financially. The Denver Architecture Foundation relies on their broad perspectives, access to resources, and philanthropy.
How is your organization supporting the creative economy?
We support the creative economy with our zeal to share ideas, swap lessons learned, and offer encouragement and enthusiasm to fellow organizations. We also support the creative economy by being clients ourselves – of venues and catering, of photographers and communications consultants, of graphic designers and even of musicians and dancers.
Why are you involved with CBCA?
Both organizations believe in the transformative power of creativity, culture, and design—making the partnership natural!
CBCA provides the Denver Architecture Foundation with access to business leaders and professionals who are already inclined toward civic engagement and philanthropy, and in this way, elevates the field of architecture to its rightful place in the creative economy. DAF’s involvement helps ensure architecture and design have a visible seat at that table—showcasing how the built environment contributes to cultural vibrancy, quality of life, and economic growth.
And, everyone at the CBCA is smart and nice and fun to work with!
If you would like more information about becoming a CBCA member, visit the CBCA Membership page or contact our Membership & Development Manager, Sarah Braverman at sbraverman@cbca.org.
