CABPES Awarded Two New Grants for After-School STEM Education Programs

Two new grants will support CABPES after-school STEM programs.

As CABPES undertakes the most comprehensive fundraising goal of our history—one designed to empower our Colorado-based organization to secure a permanent home for our after-school STEM education and mentoring programs—we're excited to share news of grants from Indigo Oak Fund and ENT Now Wings Credit Union! These new grants will support our mission of preparing Colorado's bright, highly-motivated students for sustainable careers in STEM fields.

CABPES Awarded $10,000 Indigo Oak Fund Education Grant to Inspire Colorado's Next Generation of STEM Leaders

CABPES is honored to announce that it has received a $10,000 grant in the Education category from The Indigo Oak Fund. This grant will provide significant support for our celebrated, after-school STEM education programs.

By connecting students with professional engineers, scientists, and technology leaders, CABPES equips young people with the skills, confidence, and inspiration needed to pursue college degrees and rewarding STEM careers.

Specifically, the grant will help CABPES continue to prepare students for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through engaging after-school programming, hands-on learning experiences, mentoring, career exploration, and academic enrichment.

"We are deeply grateful to The Indigo Oak Fund for believing in our mission," said Dr. Dewey Brigham, Executive Director of CABPES. "This investment will allow us to reach more students, expand our programming, and continue creating opportunities that change lives through education."

The Indigo Oak Fund is a Colorado-based private family foundation dedicated to advancing individual potential through strategic investments in nonprofit organizations. Guided by the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, the foundation focuses its philanthropy in four areas: education, the arts, women and children's issues, and equal justice under the law. Its mission is centered on fostering lifelong learning, ensuring access to equal opportunity, improving quality of life, and recognizing the unique potential within every individual. 

Education has been a cornerstone of the foundation's giving since its inception. Through its Education grant program, The Indigo Oak Fund supports both traditional schools and innovative out-of-school learning experiences that remove barriers to educational achievement.

CABPES shares that commitment by creating pathways for students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields. Through year-round programming, students participate in exciting engineering and science projects, mathematics enrichment, leadership development, and mentorship opportunities that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving while exposing them to real-world STEM careers.

The Indigo Oak Fund's founders established the foundation with the goal of making meaningful investments in local communities where support can create lasting impact. Rather than spreading resources broadly, the foundation intentionally partners with organizations that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and produce measurable, long-term outcomes.

"Words can barely convey how appreciative we are of The Indigo Oak Fund’s confidence in CABPES’ mission and for its dedication to fostering lifelong learning and educational opportunity," Dr. Brigham said. "Together, CABPES and The Indigo Oak Fund are helping build a future where every student has the opportunity to discover their potential and thrive."

CABPES Receives $5,000 ENT Credit Union YES Award to Expand STEM Learning Opportunities

The Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists (CABPES) is proud to announce that it received a $5,000 Youth Endowment Series (YES) Award from ENT Now Wings Credit Union in recognition of CABPES’ long-standing commitment to expanding educational opportunities for Colorado youth.

Dr. Dewey Brigham and Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey pose after Dr. Brigham accepted a $5,000 grant from ENT Now Wings Credit Union.

The award was presented to Dr. Dewey Brigham, Executive Director of CABPES, during the 2026 YES Awards Ceremony on May 13 at Empower Field at Mile High. Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey served as the event's special guest and presented the award to Dr. Brigham before an audience of nonprofit leaders and community partners from across Colorado.

The YES Award will directly support CABPES' STEM education, mentoring, career exploration, and academic enrichment programs.

Each year, CABPES introduces highly motivated students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on learning experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and pathways to future careers. CABPES’ programs are available without charge to all Colorado students.

“This recognition is an investment in Colorado's future,” said Dr. Brigham. “I’m honored that the YES Grants employee decision committee agreed with our guiding belief that when we inspire young people to pursue STEM education, we strengthen our communities, our workforce, and the next generation of leaders."

The Youth Endowment Series (YES) has become one of Colorado's most respected nonprofit grant programs. Over the past 26 years, the program has awarded more than $2.8 million to more than 350 nonprofit organizations, helping fund after-school programs, literacy initiatives, food security efforts, mentoring, mental health services, outdoor education, and countless other programs that improve opportunities for young people.

The YES Awards are unique because grant recipients are selected by volunteer committees made up entirely of ENT Now Wings’ employees. Each year, team members review hundreds of applications from organizations across Colorado, carefully evaluating community impact, sustainability, and the potential to improve outcomes for children and families. The process reflects the longstanding belief that community investment is one of the credit union's highest priorities.

The YES Award funding will help expand programming that encourages students to discover their talents, develop problem-solving skills, connect with STEM professionals, and envision themselves as future engineers, scientists, technologists, and innovators.

“On behalf of the entire CABPES community, I extend our sincere appreciation to ENT Now Wings Credit Union, the YES Awards selection committee, and everyone who continues to invest in Colorado's young people. Together, we are creating opportunities that will inspire students today and strengthen our communities for generations to come.”