Denver Anchor Network
(DAN)
Leveraging Institutional Power for Community Benefit
The Denver Anchor Network (DAN) brings together anchor institutions in collaborative partnership to create lasting economic change. Through DAN, participants gain the support needed to align their policies with their values, creating tangible benefits for the communities they serve. Member institutions commit to leveraging their business practices to build an ecomony that works for all through shared learning, innovation, and collective accountability.
Benefits of DAN Participation
Large institutions often face complex barriers when trying to redirect their economic power for community benefit. DAN addresses these challenges through peer learning, specialized support, co-creation, and proven implementation tools.
Working with CCW,
institutions receive:
Proven strategies to transform procurement, human resources and investment practices
Sustainable relationships with local, diverse vendors and community partners
Access to a supportive network of peer institutions
Expert guidance for navigating institutional change
Our Network
DAN brings together Metro Denver's most influential anchor institutions – from major healthcare systems and universities to government agencies and cultural centers. These pioneering organizations demonstrate how large institutions can transform their business practices to build an ecomony that works for all:
Higher Education
Auraria Higher Education Center
Colorado State University Spur Campus
Community College of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Colorado
University of Denver
Healthcare
CommonSpirit Health
Intermountain Health
Kaiser Permanente
Government & Cultural
City of Aurora Office of People, Culture and Belonging
City of Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
National Western Center
"The Center for Community Wealth Building (CCW) has been an incredible asset and partner to not only the National Western Center, but to our neighbors in Globeville, Elyria and Swansea. CCWB is completely aligned and helps us to implement our mission and vision at the National Western Center to be an inclusive and equitable organization that maximizes benefits for all people, especially those in our surrounding communities. CCWB has helped us move the needle on those efforts by convening and connecting us with their network of anchor institutions, community resources and small, local, minority owned businesses, which advances our mutual goals to close the racial wealth gap through best practices surrounding procurement, hiring, and investment. We are so grateful for their expertise and dedication to building a local economy that works for everyone."
— Brad Buchanan, CEO, National Western Center
Pathways for Impact
DAN offers structured engagement opportunities designed to help institutions create measurable community benefit while addressing common implementation challenges.
DAN Town Halls: Transforming Institutional Impact
Join dynamic educational sessions featuring:
Spotlight presentations on effective anchor practices
Case studies from local and national institutions
Accessible learning for all experience levels
Action-oriented implementation tools
Procurement Working Group
Build momentum for meaningful change by transforming institutional spending practices through collaborative problem-solving:
Share vendor lists and proven strategies
Address data collection challenges
Develop common approaches
Create pathways for local, diverse vendors
Best suited for procurement professionals and staff champions for local spending.
"Our commitment to local businesses served us extremely well during the pandemic when large suppliers faced challenges. Our local vendors came through for us."
— Sarah Miley, former Denver Program Associate, CSU Spur
Place-Based Investing Group: Moving Capital from Wall Street to Main Street
Redirect institutional capital to generate both community benefit and financial returns through strategic local investments:
Channel resources to expand affordable housing access
Learn from successful local investment models and experienced place-based investors
Create win-win opportunities that strengthen communities and institutional bottom lines
Provide insight and feedback to help advance community-owned real estate strategies
Build collective impact through coordinated investment
Individual Coaching
Work one-on-one with CCW's Anchor Strategy Director to advance your anchor mission through:
Thought partnership
Implementation guidance and support
Progress accountability
Customized strategies
Lunch & Learn sessions to increase staff engagement
Best suited for procurement professionals and staff champions for local spending.