Sponsor a Semester Outdoors

This $100,000 campaign will close the funding gap that keeps historically excluded middle and high school students in Aurora, Denver, and Boulder County from accessing Cottonwood Institute’s outdoor programs —at a moment when many young people feel increasingly disconnected from nature, from one another, and from a sense of purpose.

The campaign will keep programs free for students and families by covering the practical barriers that most often prevent participation: transportation, gear, food, and professional instruction. With those costs removed, more students can experience a semester of adventure, discovery, and leadership that builds connection, belonging, and the confidence to become leaders and problem-solvers in their communities.

The investment is direct and trackable: every $1,000 raised sponsors one student for one semester. Major donors can sponsor multiple students and help ensure equitable access to these experiences, supported by clear use of funds and regular campaign updates.

In an increasingly digital and divided world, young people are facing rising levels of disconnection—from nature, from one another, and from a sense of purpose. This campaign matters now because Cottonwood Institute’s programs are designed to bridge those gaps for historically excluded middle and high school students in Aurora, Denver, and Boulder County.

Waiting risks leaving the funding gap unaddressed, which would limit equitable access to experiences that build leadership, connection, and a sense of belonging in the outdoors—especially for students and families who face barriers related to transportation, gear, and program costs.

If this campaign succeeds, it will close the funding gap that prevents historically excluded middle and high school students in Aurora, Denver, and Boulder County from accessing life-changing outdoor programs.

The campaign will unlock equitable access to nature by keeping programs free for students and families and covering the real barriers that often make participation impossible—transportation, gear, food, and professional instruction. With that support in place, more students can experience a semester of adventure, discovery, and leadership and be inspired to become leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers in their communities.

The campaign will deliver direct, sponsorable student participation: every $1,000 raised sponsors one student for a semester of adventure, discovery, and leadership, including transportation, gear, food, and professional instruction.

Progress can be tracked and reported by translating dollars raised into the number of students sponsored (at $1,000 per student per semester) and by sharing participant stories and reflections that illustrate outcomes like increased connection, belonging, and leadership—echoing alumni experiences such as Kira G.’s testimony about finding a place to be herself and being inspired to bring friends and family into the program.

The source material does not specify giving levels, naming opportunities, or a formal recognition package. What it does make clear is a tangible partnership model tied to impact: every $1,000 sponsors one student for a semester, covering transportation, gear, food, and professional instruction.

A major donor partnership can be framed around sponsoring multiple students and helping close the funding gap so programs remain free for students and families. Donors can expect a relationship grounded in clear use of funds and regular campaign updates through the campaign period.