2025 Foundation Statement

In 2013, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation made the decision to focus funding primarily on arts and culture. At the time, the arts were often perceived as serving the elite—an industry removed from the real challenges of humanity. While this stigma may have led other funders to shy away from supporting the arts, Bonfils upheld that arts are a human right, serving all people in our community. By stepping in against the grain, we reassessed how supporting the arts aligned with our unshifting values.

We set out to change the misperception that the arts are elitist. Since then, the foundation has advocated for a deeper understanding of art as a full reflection of the human experience. Art and culture belong to us all, including the poor, the broken, the disenfranchised, the forgotten, and the unnamed. Its economic and cultural benefits to society are vast and profound; and a polarized nation needs art more than ever to bridge the misunderstandings that create “the other.”

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation envisions an equitable and flourishing city, fueled by transformational leaders and a vibrant and diverse arts and culture sector. We believe that the same artistic spirit that dares to color a blank canvas is essential in imagining a world that does not yet exist. Therefore, we have not—and will not—be deterred from our necessary work. We stand firm in our mission to “Invest in inclusive, diverse, and equitable arts and culture organizations and social sector leaders to create a thriving and just Denver.”

Our newly formed Advocacy and Policy Committee has closely monitored the rhetoric and policies of the current political environment, working to build strong local and national coalitions rooted in shared values while shaping how we can leverage all our resources toward long-term systemic change. We are committed to building a world where belonging and opportunity are available to everyone. We will continue to provide updates as our work evolves and look forward to the ongoing support of grant partners and leaders who dare to dream big.

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation