About
About Barton Institute
Mission
We support leaders and their communities who are working to develop and foster places for opportunity, connection, and belonging in Metro Denver.
Vision
Our vision is that all people in Metro Denver have the power, access, means and freedom to lead the lives they want.
Philosophy
As the Barton Institute takes action in the community, our philosophy rests on key guiding principles.
Focus
We focus on projects that use strategies and approaches that others can adopt and adapt.
Core Values
Community-Driven
Dedicated to inclusivity, equity, and diversity
Committed to listening and learning
Action and Results-Oriented
Agile and Flexible
Financially prudent
We Stand with the
Movement for Racial Justice
A PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM THE BARTON INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION
In 2020, our neighbors in Denver and in communities across the country have erupted in protests of rage and pain, responding to the latest horrific examples of police brutality against African Americans.
We at the Barton Institute for Community Action share the anger of the protestors. Our hearts ache for the losses experienced by the Floyd family, the Arbery family, the Taylor family, and so many, many others. To honor them, we continue to do everything we can to disrupt and dismantle racism, and to foster equity in all of our work.
The Barton Institute was founded on the philosophy that the people closest to a problem are best equipped to identify solutions to it. It is our job to stand with them and to take our lead from them, then to draw in resources and do what we can to shift systems and make change. We call on our partners in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to find the power in this approach, to listen deeply and then to act bravely, to rebuild our connections with each other and within our communities in the light of justice.
History
The Barton Institute for Community Action launched in 2016 as free-standing institute at the University of Denver created by David Miller, former President and CEO of The Denver Foundation.
When Miller first envisioned an institute, he sought advice from his friends and colleagues, including Laura Barton. In November 2016, Laura Barton and her children made a gift of $10 million to name the institute in honor of Laura’s late husband, Peter Barton. This transformational gift provided seed capital and long-term funding to support the institute's mission.
While at the University of Denver, the Barton Institute created the Social Enterprise Fellowship program and helped launch the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab.
After three years of incubation at DU, the Barton Institute spun off in January 2020 to become a separate 501(c)(3) organization: the Barton Institute for Community Action.
The Barton Institute for Community Action began immediately working in collaboration with Lifespan Local to cultivate well-being in Southwest Denver. The Institute also continued its support for Colorado Village Collaborative and its creation of tiny home communities for people experiencing homelessness. Following the adoption of its strategic plan in July 2020, the Institute took on fiscal sponsorship of the Village Institute and Commún, organizations that work with communities to create places of opportunity, connection, and belonging. In 2021, the Institute became the fiscal sponsor for Colorado Safe Parking Initiative, which works with local churches, organizations, and businesses to provide safe overnight parking for people who are living in their vehicles.
In 2022, Lifespan Local spun off from the Barton Institute as a separate nonprofit organization, continuing the development of its Westwood Redeemer Project.
In 2024, the Barton Institute became the fiscal sponsor for Food Justice NW Aurora and for a project of the East Denver Food Hub.
Financials
If you would like to receive a copy of the Barton Institute for Community Action’s Audit or IRS Form 990,
please contact Daniel Lee: daniel.lee@bartoninstitute.org