The Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities

10/14/2026

Memories

09/11/2026

Fifty years ago, in 1976, Sam and Nancy Gary created the Piton Foundation and used the money they earned through Sam's energy business to fund community investments.

Their early giving was rooted in community, partnership and systems change all in service of Colorado kids and families. And, when Sam sold his business, he carried those same values into what became Gary Community Ventures.

To launch our 50th anniversary series, Nancy writes that:

"What began as one family’s act of devotion has become something much larger than us, and it points toward the Colorado that Sam and I always believed in: the children’s state, the best place in the country to be a kid, where families can flourish and children grow up full of wonder."

Read Nancy's reflections on Gary's 50th anniversary and follow this series throughout the fall. https://garycommunity.org/news-insights/philanthropy-is-an-act-of-love/

07/02/2026

02/23/2026

Celebrating Black History Month

01/19/2026

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary who reminded us that justice, compassion, and service are acts of love.

On this day of reflection and action, let us recommit to showing up for one another, advocating for equity, and creating spaces where wellness, hope, and humanity come first.

12/03/2025

In 2001, Denver voters famously voted no on what was then dubbed a "kid tax". In 2006, they said "yes" to the Denver Preschool Program, which had many of the same principals. What changed?

Sam and Nancy Gary, for one.

That was according to former Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper. As for Sam and Nancy, they've always been quick to give the lion's share of the credit to the broad-based coalition behind them.

With the shortcomings of previous sales tax initiatives in recent view, Sam and Nancy worked with that coalition to fund and implement the Preschool Matters campaign, which generated awareness among voters about the critical importance of preschool while simultaneously improving the policy at the heart of the measure, identifying obstacles and engaging key partners along the way.

When Ballot Measure 1A was eventually presented to voters in 2006, it passed by just 1,815 votes. After years of proven success, voters overwhelming chose to expand it in 2014 before reauthorizing it indefinitely in 2026.

It has since served more than 70,000 Denver families.

Learn more about the team who made DPP possible, and how it's become a model for other programs now being passed statewide from Larimer to Pitkin counties: https://garycommunity.org/case-study/denver-preschool-program/