U.S. Bank Foundation and Girls With Impact launch Denver effort to equip 1,000 under-resourced young women with business and leadership skills

DENVER - Oct. 8, 2021 - PRLog -- In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the U.S. Bank Foundation today announced a partnership with the non-profit Girls With Impact – an online mini-MBA for young women – to launch "NextGen Denver 10K," providing girls of color and girls from low- to moderate-income families with skills that will transform their future career opportunities.

Under the program, the U.S. Bank Foundation will fund 1,000 scholarships for these young women over the next two years. Also supporting the NextGen Denver effort is Trimble, an industrial technology company with a key base of operations in the Denver metro area.

"At U.S. Bank, we draw strength from diversity," said Andy Aye, Colorado Market President for U.S. Bank. "Even during the pandemic, Girls With Impact has been leading the way, helping women – and women of color especially -- with the skills, tools and confidence they need to succeed in the future. We are thrilled to support Girls With Impact's expansion into Denver."

Under the partnership, Girls With Impact will recruit and train girls from the greater Denver metropolitan region, including low to moderate income areas in the surrounding cities such as Greeley, Fort Collins, Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.

These young women ages 14-21 will undergo a 10-week live, instructor-led business training program from the comfort of home. They will develop their own business or nonprofit venture and business plan, arming them with critical entrepreneurship, leadership and business skills that give them a huge leg-up for their future.

The partnership is part of NextGen Denver 10K, an effort to train 10,000 young women in the Denver region over the next three years.

"We're inviting Denver's employers and philanthropists to join U.S. Bank and Trimble so that, together, we can impact lives, our talent, and our economy," said Jennifer Openshaw, CEO. "From adopting a school to impacting a region, every dollar will generate tremendous ROI for Coloradans."

More than 50% of graduates develop ventures focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while 70% feature a social impact component – underscoring GenZ's desire to drive change and innovation.

Today, 7.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women; of those, only two are Black and none are Hispanic.

"Investing in young women is an investment in our future,"  said Dr. Judi Diaz-Bonaquisti, Executive Director of Latinas First Foundation, A Denver-based non-profit that celebrates and elevates the Latina community, including providing opportunities and non-traditional scholarships for the next generation of Latinas. "I look forward to a lasting and positive impact in our communities of color who participate in Girls With Impact."

Girls With Impact's program drives outcomes in areas that have long been barriers to success. For example:

• 85% of graduates feel greater confidence as leaders
• 60% feel better equipped to save for their future
• 93% feel more college ready

Young women and girls ages 14-21 may register for programs starting October 12th.  Those on free or reduced lunch or from low-income households may attend on a full scholarship. To choose from class dates and times, go here and use code: NextGenDenver

About Girls With Impact
Girls With Impact, a 501c3, is the nation's only live, online mini-MBA for teen girls, offered year-round.  The 10-week, after-school Business and Innovation Academy moves girls from ideation to a business plan and venture pitch, driving improvements in confidence, leadership, college readiness and professional skills for success. The organization started in 2017 when the World Economic Forum, in Davos, brought attention to the need to increase the number of women in leadership.  Girls With Impact partners with corporations and foundations who make our work possible.   Watch this.