Rob Salazar

The potential rewards of a solid education are boundless, yet many Denver area students find their opportunities for quality education limited by their financial situations. In an effort to help these students realize their dreams and achieve their full potential, the Salazar Family foundation works with local organizations to give these students the support they need. Lola and Rob Salazar founded the Salazar Family Foundation in 1999, and have contributed substantial amounts to the Denver Public Schools Foundation, the Jefferson Foundation and the Latin American Educational Foundation.

Perhaps because of their modest backgrounds, both Lola and Rob Salazar fully understand the challenges that face many students today. Their mission to help pave the way to quality schooling began with the Columbine shootings in 1999. Their son was in the school at the time of the incident, but fortunately was safe. However, the Salazar family, as well as the entire community, was profoundly affected by the shootings. Seeing an opportunity to lend a helping hand, Lola and Rob made a gift through the Jefferson Foundation.

This first major charitable donation helped the Salazars realize how much they enjoyed helping their community. They decided to continue the trend by making sizeable donations to the Denver Public Schools Foundation and the Latin American Education Foundation. Both Lola and Rob Salazar had progressed through the Denver public school system, and the Latin American Education Foundation had helped Rob in his education by providing him with a scholarship. Making donations to these organizations was one way to thank them for their support.

These three foundations have excellent experience and knowledge in distributing support across the Denver educational system, allowing them to provide financial assistance where it is most needed. Rather than create their own scholarship, Lola and Rob Salazar decided to make contributions through these foundations, ensuring the widest reach and impact. Educational assistance is provided in the form of grants, literacy programs and scholarships, ensuring that all students enjoy the benefits of donations, rather than only a select few.

Lola and Rob Salazar have achieved success in their professional and personal lives in large part because of the opportunities that were afforded them by quality educations and the assistance of educational foundations. Motivated by their personal success, and encouraged by the heartwarming feeling that comes from contributing to their community, the Salazar Family truly enjoys helping students from all walks of life.

The Salazar Family Foundation is the proud recipient of several awards recognizing their contribution to the Denver educational system. The Latin American Educational Foundation bestowed them with the Sol Trujillo National Lifetime Leadership Award in 2005. The same year, they were also recipients of the Jefferson Foundation’s Crystal Globe for Distinguished Service. In 2006, they were proud to receive La Raza’s Distinguished Service Award. Yet as most people who contribute to their community will agree, the effects of their caring and generosity is often the best reward of them all.