About Us

Mission: Our mission is to partner with youth and their families as they successfully navigate school, college, and career by providing a holistic academic, social, and emotional program from elementary school through college, along with postsecondary scholarship assistance.

Vision: Our dream is a world where every child has equitable access to the educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential.

History: “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County’s (IHDF) unique, long-term achievement program follows the national “I Have A Dream” model. Philanthropist Eugene Lang began the first “I Have A Dream” program in New York City in 1981. He mentored students from elementary to high school and provided scholarships for higher education when they graduated from high school.

Concerned by the dismal 35% graduation rate among low-income youth in the area, local  philanthropists launched “I Have A Dream” in Boulder County in 1990. Learn more about the organization through our annual report and financial health.

Since 1990, IHDF Boulder County has served more than 1000 local youth, and currently has 12 active Dreamer Scholar Classes. The model, with its one-on-one attention and daily programming, has proven to narrow the opportunity gap. Dreamer Scholars graduate from high school, enroll in post-secondary programming, and complete their post-secondary education at much higher rates than their low-income peers. Learn about our program model.

In 2014, IHDF helped launch the Dream Big Initiative, a collaborative with our closest partners — school districts, housing authorities, government agencies, businesses, and other community organizations. Dream Big’s  goal is to ensure all low-income students in Boulder County have the same chance to succeed as their better-off peers.

Awards:
2016 – Business and Professional Women of Boulder – Organization of the Year
2011 – Longmont Housing Authority – Recognition of Outstanding Contributions
2006 – The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County – NOVA Civic Partnership Award for co-founding Crayons to Calculators
2003 – YWCA of Boulder County – Organization of the Year