Strengthening Public Education Through Strategy, Storytelling, and Leadership Visibility

Media Relations, Retainer

Our Challenge

Denver Public Schools Foundation plays a crucial role in strengthening public education in Denver. Barefoot PR was initially engaged to support a newly appointed President and CEO who was new to the market and needed to quickly build visibility, credibility and relationships with local stakeholders. Midway through the engagement, the organization experienced a leadership transition, requiring continuity in messaging and steady external communications to maintain momentum while elevating an established fundraising leader into the CEO role.

At the same time, DPS Foundation sought to move beyond being viewed solely as the district’s fundraising arm and be recognized as a leading voice on public education funding, policy and innovation in a state that consistently underfunds public education. The foundation also aimed to strengthen its role as a community convener, bringing together organizations and funders to develop collaborative solutions for Denver’s public education challenges. Throughout this period, our team provided ongoing strategic counsel and as-needed crisis communications support in response to current events.

Our Solution

Barefoot PR developed and executed a comprehensive Communications Roadmap focused on thought leadership and earned media to elevate DPS Foundation’s profile and influence in the community. This work included drafting and placing op-eds on critical issues such as federal funding cuts to afterschool programs and the importance of school bonds in Colorado’s underfunded education system, alongside securing earned media coverage that highlighted DPS Foundation’s programs, partnerships and impact, including educator housing initiatives, STEM investments and signature community events like the Achieve Gala.

Throughout the engagement, we reinforced DPS Foundation’s role as both a convener and catalyst for change, providing ongoing messaging support and strategic counsel as the organization navigated breaking news, policy developments and sensitive public education conversations. The result was increased visibility, stronger donor and stakeholder engagement and a clear repositioning of DPS Foundation not only as a funder, but as a trusted voice helping shape the future of public education in Denver.