Events to Attend

Rebuild Nepal: Tasty Brews and Trivia Clues: A Denver-based nonprofit working to globally strengthen access to education for girls in rural communities is summoning all thinkers and drinkers for beer and trivia with a cause. Event host Edge of Seven, a part of the global crowd funding project GlobalGiving, will have all of its donations matched dollar for dollar from April 25 to May 12. That includes the funds raised—and brews enjoyed—at their happy hour trivia. Questions provided by Geeks Who Drink. Thursday, May 5, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, 1139 20th St.; free

Read to Succeed: Reading Partners, a nonprofit currently serving 14 Colorado schools, is a data-driven organization working to improve literacy rates and minimize the achievement gap overall. The organization’s breakfast fundraiser will feature speeches from Senator Michael Johnson, Reading Partner CEO Michael Lombardo, and a testimonial from a local principal. Learn more and find out how to register here. Thursday May 5, 7:30-9:00 a.m.; Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Pl.; free

Causes to Know About

Innovate for Good: This annual project from the Rose Community Foundation asks for projects ideas that answer the question: “What idea could you bring to life to empower youth to make your community better?” From community events to new technology, they received almost 400 submissions in 2015. Nine winners were selected to share a $250,000 grant to help bring their concepts to fruition. Submission deadline for the 2016 grant is May 31; click here to learn more.

Here are two of Innovate for Good’s 2015 winners, who are currently building or implementing their community projects:

Fresh Food Connect App: Groundwork Denver is making a new app that uses technology to help eliminate food waste. The app will connect gardeners with extra produce to youth who will pick up the fruits and veggies, and then donate or sell them at farm stands that accept both food stamps and cash. The app will be ready for use in the 80205 zip code this month, with additional areas launching next season. The mission addresses the lack of access to healthy food, youth unemployment, and food waste.

Creative Youth Take Flight-La Alma Connection: This project hopes to improve traffic during Santa Fe’s First Friday with creative placemaking ideas from teenagers and young adults. The plan is to integrate art and community activities that encourage First Friday attendees to use alternative transportation. At this point, Art Street’s La Alma Connection has hosted 10 creative workshops—that cover everything from urban design to 3-D digital modeling—to help prepare students for their master plan. “Problem solving is the most important skill we teach at every level,” said Arts Street executive director Stella Yu. “Together with cognitive learning and collaboration through teamwork, youth at Arts Street apply their natural creative talents, and find that they can fly if they want to.”