Inside: Funding for Two Summer Exchange Programs, New Board Member Christina Brady, Year-End Fundraising Results (we need your help to fill the gap) | | TJ + East High School Intercultural Scholars | | |
The group travel scholarship process begins with an online application completed by the lead teacher in collaboration with participating students. Applications are evaluated using four core criteria:
- planning and student participation
- clearly defined, active learning goals
- deep cultural immersion
- overall cost-effectiveness
Finalist groups are then invited to create and present a student-led summary of their trip, sharing the experience from their own perspective. Based on these presentations, the board determines award amounts.
This process is enriching for everyone involved and helps ensure donor funds are used thoughtfully, equitably, and with clear impact. Selected students will be formally “pinned” as Intercultural Scholars at an upcoming awards ceremony at their school. Stay tuned!
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$10,000 Group Scholarship for Thomas Jefferson High School Japanese Exchange
Mr. Kyler Jackson - lead teacher
Student Team - 10/10 presentation
Educational trip includes school visits, homestays, peer-ropeer activities, and cultural immersion.
Summer 2026
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$10,000 Group Scholarship for East High School German Exchange
Mr. Marshall King - lead teacher
Student Team - 10/10 presentation
Educational trip includes school visits, homestays, peer-ropeer activities, and cultural immersion.
Summer 2026
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Your donation goes directly toward funding student educational travel across DPS. Small, local nonprofits like ours compete for support alongside large organizations (CPR, the Red Cross, and others), and that competition isn’t easy.
If you’re able, we hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift to the DCIS Foundation. And if you’ve already donated—thank you. Your support makes these opportunities possible.
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❤️Please donate before the end of the year for your tax deduction:
1) MAIL A CHECK
Dated before the end of the year:
PO Box 9044, Denver, CO 80209
(no bank fees)
2) GIVE ONLINE
Anytime before the end of the year:
https://www.dcisfoundation.org/donate
3) PLANNED GIVING
Anytime: Gift annuities, stock, bequests, mandatory retirement distributions, donor-advised funds, etc. We’ll help you set up a private meeting with our partner, The Denver Foundation, to make it secure and easy. For more info: dcisfoundation@gmail.com/contactus
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Brava!
The DCIS Foundation went from GOLD status to PLATINUM status in 2025. We’re proud to share our PLATINUM SEAL from Candid for nonprofit transparency, administrative efficiency, mission, and student results. It’s about trust — and you can trust we work hard every day to advocate and fund student travel in DPS.
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Welcome to New Board Member Christina Brady
Ms. Christina Brady, Data and Analytics leader
Christina has been using data to tell stories and solve business problems for over a decade. Before that, she worked in International Development and taught English as a Second language. She has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and an MA in International Development from the University of Basque Country. She grew up in New Jersey and came to Colorado via a long route that included 10 years living abroad and eight years living outside of Washington, DC.
Languages:
English and Spanish (fluent)
Travel Experience:
Having lived in Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Panama, she has also traveled extensively in South and Southeast Asia and Europe. In the last few years, working for a Canadian company has given her the chance to spend some time in cities across Canada as well.
To learn more about our board members, advisors, student advisors, and volunteers. CLICK HERE.
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SAVE THE DATE for our GALA
SAT., APRIL 25, 2026
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Do you know someone who has benefited from a scholarship or might be interested in our mission? Invite them to our Gala on Saturday, April 25.
Trust us, we know how to eat and drink with friends, keep the program short and meaningful, award remarkable students and community members, raise real money for a great cause, and still have a lot of fun. CLICK HERE to view our past events and photos.
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The DCIS Foundation's mission is to advocate for and financially support immersive educational student travel in DPS - whether local, national, or international.
CLICK HERE to learn more about us.
CLICK HERE to read a few previous e-newsletters.
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Board of Directors:
Dave Smith, President
Erin Sorce, VP/Secretary
Robert Bresnahan, Treasurer
Matt Harrison, Past President
Christina Brady
Brandon Bohn
Tiffany Briseno
Brady Efting
Shea Kauffman
Joy Miller Oliver
Lisa LaBriola
Julia Spratt
Matt Weimer
Stacy Yauk
Council of Advisors:
Sally Bishop
Christine Ekman
Claudia Morlan
Alumni Leadership Council:
Piper Backburn
Isabella Berggren
Alba-Leea Campos-Castro
Eduardo Chavez
Mackenzie Christman
Ca’la Connors
Eliza Cummings
Emily Frazer-Abel
Malia Josephine
Davina James
Rebecca Lipman
Justice Miles
Brooke Porter
Freya Quist
Balfe Reynoso
Jack Virnich
Sam Wands
Ex-Officio Board (Active):
Dan Lutz, Ph.D., Founder, and Sr. Advisor
Melanie Grant, Founder, and Sr. Advisor
Cara Goman, Past Board President/Advisor
In Memory & Honor - Board Member:
Dennis Gallagher
Executive Director | CEO:
Theresa Meier Conley, Ph.D.
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