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 close the racial wealth gap 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, and proven implementation tools.

Working with CCW, institutions receive:


The Center for Community Wealth partners with anchor institutions to create sustainable economic impact through strategic shifts in:
  • Proven strategies to transform procurement, hiring, 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
For Business OWners

Get support to grow your business or explore employee ownership.

For Anchor Institutions

Partner with us to align your spending with community wealth building.

For Community Members

Invest in transformative economic change.

For Supporters

Invest in transformative economic 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 community wealth and close the racial wealth gap.

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

  • Denver Health & Hospital Authority
  • Intermountain Health
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver

Government & Cultural

  • City of Aurora Office of People, Culture and Belonging
  • City of Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
  • National Western Center
For Business OWners

Get support to grow your business or explore employee ownership.

For Anchor Institutions

Partner with us to align your spending with community wealth building.

For Community Members

Invest in transformative economic change.

For Supporters

Invest in transformative economic change

"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

2nd Thursday in February, May, August, November | 2:00 - 3:00 PM

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.
For Business OWners

Get support to grow your business or explore employee ownership.

For Anchor Institutions

Partner with us to align your spending with community wealth building.

For Community Members

Invest in transformative economic change.

For Supporters

Invest in transformative economic change

"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

Quarterly Sessions

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
  • Custom solution development
  • Lunch & Learn sessions to increase staff engagement
For Business OWners

Get support to grow your business or explore employee ownership.

For Anchor Institutions

Partner with us to align your spending with community wealth building.

For Community Members

Invest in transformative economic change.

For Supporters

Invest in transformative economic change

Ready to create lasting economic change? Choose your next step: