Charity Thirty: That's what Frosh has decided to dub the project leading up to his thirtieth birthday on February 1.
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To celebrate his upcoming milestone, Frosh is raising funds instead of the roof -- $30,000 in thirty days is the goal -- and that money will benefit six nonprofits of Frosh's choosing."Much of this comes from my Jewish background," says Frosh when podded on why he's come up with such a unique way to celebrate. "I was always taught to give back, and I really want to make a career of this long-term." While he admits the task of raising $30,000 in a month is "an ambitious goal," Frosh sees this as a way of "adding some meaning" to his birthday.
A Denver-based Western Union compliance analyst and philanthropic consultant (the latter's his side gig for now, but one he hopes to eventually transform into a full-service law practice), Frosh has taken an active role in the local nonprofit scene since he took a job with the Young Americans Center for Financial Education back in high school, and he currently sits on the board of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
The organizations Frosh has chosen to bolster are diverse in aim and demographic served. Near and dear to Frosh's heart is the CCFA, which hopes to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, thereby increasing the quality of life for those affected by these diseases. Frosh himself was diagnosed with Crohn's at age seven and reports that the "CCFA was so generous and supportive at that time." Frosh's fight with the disease "ended pretty quickly," and so he's glad to be able to give back to others -- especially kids.
There's also the Colorado Meth Project, a large-scale, statewide prevention and education effort aimed at reducing methamphetamine use by attempting to prevent first-time use among Colorado's teens and college students. "The Meth Project, for me, was about looking at organizations that had a broad reach in our community," says Frosh, who adds that organization's model "is so effective and well done."
Others on the list include groups that support low-income children and exemplary educational efforts: Denver Active 20-30 Children's Foundation, which raises money for disadvantaged children through annual fundraising events and projects; Denver Urban Scholars, a mentoring organization that facilitates academic achievement and positive social development among underserved urban youth; Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers, Denver's oldest and largest provider of subsidized quality early childhood care and education for low-income children; and the Nathan Yip Foundation, which seeks to provide educational access, empowerment and ongoing support to vulnerable youth throughout the world and in Colorado.
"Education truly does provide a good foundation for success in your life," Frosh explains. "So I wanted to work with organizations that deal with underprivileged youth, as well as places like Mile High Montessori, which is about great education." Frosh's mother has been with Mile High Montessori for about a decade now -- that's how the young philanthropist came to learn about all of the great ways it serves our community.
Rose Community Foundation, a leader in the philanthropic community and an innovative funder in the Denver and Boulder Jewish Community, is partnering with Frosh for Charity Thirty. Frosh has worked closely with the organization throughout his career, and Rose is waiving all associated management fees for this project. As a result, all tax-deductible donations you make to Frosh's cause can be split evenly among the six beneficiaries.
As of late last week, Frosh had raised around $4,000; the deadline is February 1. "Any amount, large or small, is happily accepted and appreciated," he says. Donations can be made on the Charity Thirty website or with a check to Rose Community Foundation; write "AHF Charity Thirty© Fund" in the memo line, and send it to Rose Community Foundation, 600 South Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Denver 80246.
For more information, visit Frosh's website.
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