At the National Western Center, we are committed to ensuring the benefits of our campus, from economic growth to educational opportunities, extend beyond our boundaries and create lasting, positive impact for North Denver residents. Central to this commitment is the Community Investment Fund (CIF), a collaborative effort that strengthens the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea (GES) neighborhoods through locally driven investment and partnership.
What Is the Community Investment Fund?
The National Western Center Authority created the Community Investment Fund, which is a dedicated resource to support and strengthen the neighborhoods surrounding the campus – Globeville, Elyria, Swansea Community Investment Fund (GES CIF). Funding is raised by the National Western Center then donated to the CIF. Grants are donated from the GES CIF to local organizations and projects that advance community priorities such as education, workforce development, health, culture, home repairs and small business growth.
Since 2023, nearly $800,000 has been raised and donated to the CIF by the National Western Center. During the 2026 National Western Stock Show alone, more than $85,500 was generated through concessions, ticket purchases, and on-site spending.
The CIF was originally formalized through the National Western Center’s development partnership and the 2017 Framework Agreement. It was designed to deliver direct community benefit in neighborhoods that have historically experienced inequities related to past policies and development pressures.
How the Fund Works
The CIF is intentionally not managed by the National Western Center Authority. Instead, it is governed by community members from the GES neighborhoods, ensuring transparency, accountability, and local decision-making power.
A significant portion of funding is generated through an on-site “round-up” program included at all public- facing campus events. Customers at select retail and concession locations are invited to round their purchase up to the nearest dollar, with the difference supporting the CIF. Additional donations are also collected through the National Western Center’s ticketing partner, Humanitix, where every ticket purchased contributes to the Fund via a ticketing fee.
Measuring Impact and Looking Ahead
To date, the National Western Center Authority’s contributions through the CIF have supported technical assistance, outreach, and multi-year unrestricted grants, helping build the fund’s operational capacity and long-term sustainability.
More than a funding mechanism, the Community Investment Fund is a platform for shared ownership and long-term community transformation. Through the Community Investment Fund, the National Western Center affirms its commitment not just to economic development, but to equitable investment in the people and places that surround us.
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