PIVOT has set out to raise $100 million in 10 years, but it’s collaboration that is the main goal of this 16-month-old nonprofit. Across Colorado, PIVOT seeks to empower other nonprofits to work together and cover the full spectrum of children’s needs. “Different kids have different needs from the intellectual to the emotional to the growth parts of their lives,” says CEO Mimi Roberson. “From elementary school to post-graduates, we invest in kids in a holistic way that includes mental wellness—which is the fabric that every child needs—health and nutrition, academic success, and career readiness.”
How it started
“The founders were John Elway (former Broncos quarterback), Larry Mueller (managing partner and founder of Cuvee luxury travel agency), and George Solich (president and CEO of FourPoint Energy), professional friends and colleagues who have known each other over the years and have been known to be very generous in their philanthropy,” says Roberson. “This was a dream of theirs and they thought ‘Let’s just do it.’” The name PIVOT was chosen because it represented a slight repositioning for positive change.
What it does
PIVOT takes the business acumen of its three founders and applies metrics to help nonprofit organizations as a funder, advisor, and collaborator. Mainly, PIVOT believes organizations have greater power together than as individuals. “PIVOT is all about collaborations. We listen and share and celebrate nonprofits. Then we try to fill in the gaps,” says Roberson. Because nonprofits can’t cover every aspect when it comes to supporting children, PIVOT supports them by “finding partners and putting them together to make a beautiful picture of a complete puzzle. PIVOT supports these partnerships and provides the ability to ‘pivot’ in real time to ensure they are moving in the right direction.”
Current collaboration
PIVOT already has established a partnership with four nonprofits. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nonprofit that arranges for children to work with mentors to prepare them for future careers. With the funding from PIVOT, Roberson says, “Big Green installs and oversees gardens in schools. They’re putting in the garden, there’s the science and education of gardening, and raising vegetables. We are funding DU School of Professional Psychology so that the children have a psychologist and counselor at Girls Athletic Leadership School (a Denver charter school also known as GALS). So we have mental health, nutrition, education, and the mentor program for career readiness. It started with sophomore year and we’ll be following these same ladies (about 30-35 students) to junior year, following through to senior year, and then to post-grad. You give them a lot of stability, guidance assistance. What I love about the gardens is that these kids can bring the food home and there’s better nutrition for their families. It’s really fun.”
How to help
There’s an annual fundraiser in Denver called Flight to Luxury, as well as a new event, Great Escape, at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. You can also participate in the Young Professionals Council, attending specific events and taking on a bigger role in the PIVOT movement. Whether via funding or time, as a group or an individual, everyone can have a positive impact on kids.
PIVOT
1800 Wazee St., Ste 210
