Denver Broncos Community | Dynamic In and Out of School Programming
Dynamic In and Out of School Programming Grant Spotlights
Sun Valley Youth Center
Sun Valley is the only Denver neighborhood where youth make up the majority of residents, underscoring the importance of safe, consistent spaces outside of the school day. Research shows that access to high-quality out-of-school programming plays a critical role in strengthening academic outcomes, reducing risky behavior, and fostering a sense of belonging among peers and within the broader community.
Sun Valley Youth Center (SVYC) addresses this need by providing no- to low-cost afterschool and summer programming for youth ages 5–18 in a neighborhood within walking distance of Empower Field at Mile High. Through a combination of individualized academic support, recreational activities, social-emotional development, and access to nutritious meals, SVYC creates a supportive environment where youth can build meaningful relationships, stay engaged after school, and develop the skills needed to succeed. This approach is driving measurable academic gains, including an 80% increase in the number of students reading at grade level during the 2024-2025 school year.
The Denver Broncos Foundation has supported SVYC through a combination of grant funding, enrichment opportunities, and community engagement efforts that expand access to resources and experiences beyond the neighborhood. Together, these investments reflect a shared commitment to ensuring Sun Valley youth feel connected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Playworks Colorado
Only 15% of elementary schools require daily recess, and students in underserved communities often have fewer opportunities for safe, active play. Research shows that play is a critical driver of school engagement, helping students build relationships, develop important life skills, and feel more connected to their school community.
Playworks Colorado addresses this gap by partnering with schools to create environments where every student can participate, build confidence, and feel a sense of connection. Through recess support, class game time, afterschool sports leagues, and youth leadership development, Playworks helps students engage more meaningfully in their school day. This approach is linked to improved attendance outcomes, with schools implementing Playworks programming showing a statistically significant lower proportion of chronically absent students compared to schools without the program. By training educators alongside on-site coaching, Playworks also supports lasting improvements in school climate that strengthen connection, increase student engagement, and help reduce absenteeism.
The Denver Broncos Foundation is supporting a district-wide effort at Aurora Public Schools to expand access to safe and meaningful play, helping create school environments where students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn. This investment strengthens early pathways to engagement and belonging, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to holistic youth development.
Colorado Youth for a Change
During the 2024–25 school year, 28% of Colorado students were chronically absent — one of the highest rates in the country — and thousands of middle and high school students dropped out. Chronic absenteeism and school disengagement create significant barriers to academic success and long-term opportunity.
Colorado Youth for a Change (CYC) addresses these challenges through targeted, school-based programs that support both at-risk students and those who have already disconnected from school. Through Corps for a Change and Reengagement programming, CYC provides individualized case management and one-on-one support to help students improve attendance, re-enroll in school, and stay on track toward graduation. By working closely with school districts across the Denver metro area, CYC helps build protective factors that strengthen student engagement and academic achievement.
To help remove barriers that prevent students from fully engaging in school, the Denver Broncos Foundation launched the Denver Broncos Student Support Fund, providing direct assistance for academic and basic needs such as transportation, corrective glasses, school supplies, and GED testing fees. Building on this momentum, the Foundation is continuing its investment to expand access to these resources and strengthen case management capacity, ensuring more students have the support needed to remain in school and pursue meaningful postsecondary pathways.
Dynamic In and Out of School Programming Grants
Congratulations to Denver Broncos Foundation Grant Recipients!