Canyons Education Foundation reports growth; development officer Denise to hand off to Brooke Horn

The Canyons Education Foundation presented its annual report to the Canyons Board of Education on June 2, highlighting growth in donations, scholarship funding and program support.

Denise, the foundation’s development officer, told the board the endowment stands at about $677,000 and that the foundation allocates roughly 10% of net proceeds from major events to the endowment to sustain programs over time. "It's actually up to 677,000," she said, adding that the foundation had increased its endowment and overall financial position since 2018.

Denise outlined recent grants and cash gifts, including $25,000 from HCA Healthcare for the CEK program, $25,000 from the Ron McBride Foundation for after-school programs and $15,000 from the Larry H. Miller Foundation for holiday support. In-kind contributions cited included STEM kits, musical instruments and weekend food bags for students.

The foundation also described its primary fundraising activities — a spring gala (netting roughly $60,000–$90,000), a golf tournament (about $100,000 net), and community-focused fund runs — and said innovation grants distributed to teachers typically range from $1,000 to $10,000.

After more than eight years leading the foundation, Denise said she is stepping down and introduced Brooke Horn as the new development officer. Brooke said she has worked with the district and foundation for years and “is excited to be able to come and work on that at a whole another angle here through the district offices.”

Board members offered appreciation for Denise’s tenure and the foundation’s partnerships with local businesses and civic groups that support classroom grants, scholarships and student resources.

The board did not take formal action on the foundation report; members praised the program and welcomed the incoming development officer.