In the late 1980s, the Junior League of Denver researched ways of creating a secure funding base to ensure its ongoing financial stability.

In 1988 an endowment fund was established by the JLD Board with $70,000 during the JLD’s 70th Anniversary.

In 1990 the Annual Campaign Committee was established and continues to raise funds on behalf of the JLD and JLD Foundation.

In 1991, a special committee recommended the establishment of a supporting foundation to better meet the long-term needs of the JLD.

In 1992 the Endowment Fund was derived primarily from excess fundraising income and reached its $1 million goal! The $1 million endowment fund served as seed money for the new JLD Foundation (JLDF) in the State of Colorado.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors, currently composed of 13 Active and Sustaining members, governs the JLDF independently from the JLD and its Board. The JLDF established an initial goal of $6.6 million as the target after which annual distributions from the JLD Foundation to the JLD would begin.

In December 2007, the Foundation reached this initial goal!

In 2008-2009, the JLD received its first-ever distribution of $216,905 from the Foundation. Each year, the JLDF makes an annual distribution to the JLD to support community programs through direct grants, trained volunteers, public policy initiatives, and more. The JLDF has seen steady growth and its distributions to the JLD have reflected a 33% increase since that first distribution.