We at Iliff School of Theology are thrilled to announce our inclusion in the inaugural Belonging Colorado Cohort, an initiative by Belonging Colorado, a special fund at The Denver Foundation. This exciting new effort aims to bring people together in innovative ways, enhance resilience throughout Colorado, and broaden the sense of belonging among Coloradans.
Iliff School of Theology is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment of the United Methodist Church.
Belonging Colorado selected 15 organizations across the state, representing a diverse array of nonprofits, community-based organizations, and local governments. Each organization will develop innovative programs designed to bring people together across lines of difference, address shared challenges, and deepen community relationships. Dr. Janet Lopez, Senior Director of Policy, Partnerships, and Learning at The Denver Foundation, noted, “The organizations chosen for this inaugural cohort represent an exciting array of ideas and communities dedicated to building connections across lines of difference.”
The selection process was highly competitive, with over 330 applications reviewed before the final 15 were chosen. Iliff’s inclusion in this cohort is a testament to our commitment to fostering community and advocating for freedom and justice. We are eager to contribute to this collective effort to build bridges and promote understanding within our diverse communities.
Our work at Iliff for this initiative will focus on engaging a broader network of diverse faith leaders within the Denver metro area. We aim to bridge differences within this group, fostering dialogue and collaboration among leaders from various faith traditions. By creating spaces where these leaders can come together, share their experiences, and learn from one another, we hope to cultivate a stronger, more resilient network that can work together to address the challenges facing our communities.
As part of the Belonging Colorado Cohort, Iliff and the other selected organizations will participate in an eight-week training program led by the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC), Belonging Colorado’s implementation partner. This training will provide us with research-based strategies for bridging differences, enabling us to strengthen our program ideas and implement effective solutions. Each organization will receive a $15,000 grant to support their participation in this training, and upon completion, we will have the opportunity to apply for a two-year grant to bring our program to life in 2025 and 2026.
“It is truly an honor for the Greater Good Science Center to provide ongoing support to these 16 exceptional organizations in the Belonging Colorado Cohort,” said Juliana Tafur, GGSC’s Bridging Differences program director. We are excited to learn from GGSC and to apply the science of belonging and bridge-building in our work with faith leaders in Colorado.
By the end of this two and a half year journey, we hope to have contributed to the development of innovative approaches to building connections across lines of difference. Belonging Colorado aims to highlight these “bright spots” as examples of how organizations and communities can actively address divisions and promote a sense of belonging. Through this initiative, we look forward to laying the groundwork for even greater belonging activities in our state.
At Iliff School of Theology, advocating freedom means bringing people together to build a more equitable world. Our participation in the Belonging Colorado Cohort aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are honored to join this diverse and inspiring group of organizations. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve and demonstrate the power of connection and resilience in creating a more inclusive Colorado.
Iliff School of Theology website, Denver CO
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Ministerial Education Fund is at the heart of preparing people for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The 13 United Methodist seminaries help students to discover their calling through the challenging curriculum. The fund enables the church to increase financial support for recruiting and educating ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
