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Our Story

Driven by the mission to empower academically talented and motivated students from under-resourced communities, The Challenge Foundation was founded in the mid-1990s by Don and Janis McFall, with the goal of educational access. Known for their dedication to education based social service organizations, Don and Janis began to envision one organization that could provide holistic support to under-resourced communities.

 

Recognizing the critical need to equip scholars with the tools and resources to navigate obstacles and chart their own futures, the organization began by providing academic support through summer programs and high school scholarships. In 2001, Challenge expanded its holistic support by offering scholarships to private schools beginning in middle school, ensuring early intervention to help students achieve their full potential.

 

This multi-year program has evolved to the model in use today, in three different cities, Denver, CO, El Paso, TX (2008), and Phoenix, AZ  (2013). All locations provide comprehensive support, including mentoring, advising, and college prep programming.  Additionally, we are committed to providing support through college, and meeting family needs, enabling scholars to overcome systemic inequities and become leaders in their communities.

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Denver's History

Challenge Foundation Denver received its 501(c)3 status in 1998. Originally, a program for high school students, we partnered with St. Mary’s Academy at that time and sent bright young women from under-resourced backgrounds to the high school. In 2001 Challenge responded to the need for earlier intervention and began accepting students into the 6th grade at St. Mary’s Academy, supporting them through middle school and high school. Eventually, as the capacity to serve more students grew and more schools expressed an interest in supporting Challenge Foundation scholars, we began to partner with additional schools.

 

In 2007 Challenge Foundation created a college support program to support our graduating high school seniors on the next step of their journey. Development of this program was in response to the need for scholars to have support to and through college as they pursue their dreams and aspirations.  

 

Currently, the Denver program partners with six middle and high schools and serves over 100 scholars per year in 6th grade through college.

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