ABOUT US

The Piton Foundation is a private, operating foundation established in 1976 by Denver oil man Sam Gary. The foundation is supported principally by contributions from Gary-Williams Energy Corporation and is considered the community investment division of the oil company. Piton's mission is to provide opportunities for children and their families to move from poverty and dependence to self reliance.

As an operating foundation, Piton uses the majority of its private funding to develop and implement its own programs in its three areas of interest: improving pre-kindergarten-high school education, expanding economic opportunities for families, and strengthening lower-income communities.

In addition to its operating activities, the foundation occasionally awards grants to organizations that play a strategic role in working with the foundation to implement its programs. The foundation's name was derived from the steel spike - a piton - used by mountain climbers to secure their lifeline - an essential support as they ascent difficult terrain.

Vision: A better future for the low-income children of Denver.

Mission: To provide opportunities for children and their families to move from poverty and dependence to self reliance.

Strategy: To develop and implement programs to improve education, expand opportunities for families and strengthen communities.

PROGRAM AREAS

Education	Economic Opportunities	Strengthening Communities

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