Golden Civic Foundation

05/26/2026

✨Meet our May Community Leader, Jennine Tarpley!

Jennine describes her role as Principal of Welchester Elementary School as a privilege. With over a decade of experience at the school, Jennine has witnessed the powerful collaborative spirit of Golden firsthand—donating food & supplies, hosting low-cost holiday markets, and curating kid-friendly art & history experiences are just a few ways the community shows up for Welchester students.

Read Jennine's full interview at https://www.goldencivicfoundation.org/community-spotlight

05/22/2026

🌴 GCF invites you to a celebration of family and community right in the heart of downtown Golden!

Kick off summer at Aloha Golden, a neighborhood luau on the newly opened patio at The Golden Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection. Every bite and sip supports the community, with a portion of proceeds benefitting GCF.

🎵Live Music From Wylie Jones
🥥Tropical inspired food & drink specials
🎨Games & activities for the whole family
🏆Fun prizes

🎟️ Tickets $20, 12 & under are free! Get your tickets now at https://www.goldencivicfoundation.org/aloha-golden

05/20/2026

In some ways, the Golden community is like a self-supporting bridge: Every piece holds up another, and in doing so, holds up both itself and the larger whole.

05/16/2026

A special day in Golden 🎨

Pat Madison, Golden Legacy Fund Founding Member and GCF Board Member, led an art tour through downtown, sharing the stories behind some of the pieces that make our community so unique. This experience was generously purchased by Susie McInerney at GCF’s Annual Gala & Auction—a perfect example of how supporting local philanthropy comes full circle.

GCF has been instrumental in shaping the public art we all enjoy today. Beginning with the establishment of the Golden Public Art Partnership in 1999, GCF has ensured that art is part of Golden’s identity—not an afterthought, but something woven into everyday life.

From iconic sculptures to hidden gems, Golden’s art scene reflects decades of vision, collaboration, and commitment to community.

05/14/2026

What’s better than a steaming breakfast buffet and imaginative community projects on a Tuesday morning? ☕

Each year, Golden gathers to celebrate the nonprofit organizations making magic in our community. This year’s Community Grants Breakfast brought together inspiring stories of collaboration, generosity, and commitment to Golden’s future, all shared during an intimate celebration at the historic Buffalo Rose.

The 2026 Community Impact Grant awards support a wide range of projects across key areas of community impact:
$53,500 for Youth & Schools
$27,950 for Human Needs
$27,800 for Civic Development
$26,500 for Arts & Culture

🤝Thank you to the donors, sponsors, grantees, and community partners who make this work possible! Visit our website to meet the 2026 Award Recipients!

05/11/2026

Outdoor Lab has been enriching the lives of sixth-grade and high school students in Jefferson County for more than 60 years. GCF is proud to support another year of tuition assistance through Outdoor Lab Foundation so every student has the opportunity to develop a stewardship of self, community, and environment!

We are excited to announce that we received a $2,750 grant from the Golden Civic Foundation to help support our tuition assistance program ensuring ALL students get to go to Outdoor Lab regardless of financial situations.

Thank you Golden Civic Foundation for investing in our community! It's thanks to partners like you that keep Outdoor Lab going strong. 🌲🙏💚

05/09/2026

A beautiful afternoon on the patio, signature drinks, and a dancing parade through Babe's Tea Room to celebrate Derby Day ✨🏇

The excitement didn't end when Golden Tempo (how iconic is that?) crossed the finish line — Babe's Tea Room generously donated $1,800 from ticket sales back to GCF to keep Golden vibrant, connected, and thriving. Thank you to Babe's Tea Room and everyone who celebrated the fastest two minutes in sports !

📸Bill Way - GCF Volunteer & Golden Legacy Fund Founding Member
📸 Amy Hume - GCF Volunteer

05/07/2026

Our team joined the Golden Chamber of Commerce to take a break from the day-to-day and go head-to-head at Game Show Battle Rooms! Strong teams build strong communities — and some teams watch a little too much Wheel of Fortune.

04/28/2026

“‘Hey! It passed!’ Mayor Marv Kay yelled to a cheering crowd of supporters gathered at the Golden Ram to await the (voting results).”

The May 23, 1991 issue of the Golden Transcript reported that a highly contested 1% sales tax increase had passed by a narrow 11 votes—and Marv Kay, then Mayor and GCF Board Member, was instrumental in its passage.

The $6 million Golden Community Center opened its doors in 1994. In support of the newly opened community space, GCF provided funding for gymnasium equipment. The importance of vibrant community spaces is still valued by our organization today. Colorado Today by Hal Shelton, a local cartographer and landscape painter, is a painting preserved by GCF that is on display in the Golden Community Center for guests to enjoy.

As we celebrate GCF's birthday and Marv Kay Day, we're remembering the determination and grit that built Golden as we know it. The Golden Community Center, and many of Golden's other gathering places, are standing because Marv led the way. That's Golden leadership: not one grand gesture, but decades of trust and the belief that collaboration gets further than going it alone.

04/25/2026

Marv Kay was a pillar of the Golden community—a decorated athlete, coach, professor, former mayor, and tireless civic advocate. Marv joined the GCF Board of Directors in the 1980's, and his influence is woven throughout our history.

Marv was the key to success in many of GCF's past projects: The American Mountaineering Center, The Golden Hotel, Table Mountain Inn. In 2022, GCF appointed Marv Director Emeritus for 35 year of exemplary service. While you're enjoying Marv Kay Day today at the Golden Community Center, visit Marv Kay's bench dedicated by GCF.