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BLOG & NEWS
Stories & Updates
The latest from BPI — announcements, impact updates, and insights on skills-based careers and education.


Empowering the Future: Announcing the 2026 BPI Scholars
Denver, CO — The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is thrilled to announce the 2026 cohort of BPI Scholars! This distinguished group consists of six talented high school students from Colorado. They have been selected for their determination, resilience, and commitment to pursuing skills-based career pathways. This year is particularly special, as we celebrate a record number of applicants and more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded to support training and education in h
Steve Bates
May 22 min read


Steps to Successfully Navigate the BPI Grant Application Process
When we think about opportunities that can change the course of a nonprofit's impact, grants often top the list. Especially for those organizations facing financial challenges, grants can open doors to additional capacity that once seemed out of reach. The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is dedicated to empowering financially disadvantaged youth in Colorado by providing access to skills-based and technical education. If you’re a Colorado 501(c)(3) providing wraparound se
Steve Bates
Apr 153 min read


Empowering Youth Through Healthcare Careers
The Importance of Healthcare Careers Healthcare jobs, particularly nursing, provide more than just employment; they offer financial security and career growth. According to the U.S. Labor Department, the median annual wage for registered nurses is $93,600. Nurses with advanced degrees earn even more, with a median wage of $132,050. These figures highlight nursing as a strong career choice for students seeking stable income. The demand for nurses is also growing rapidly. Emplo
steve bates
Apr 23 min read


Empowering Financially Disadvantaged Youth in Colorado: A Pathway to AI-Resilient Careers
For financially disadvantaged students standing at the edge of adulthood, uncertainty can feel overwhelming. However, this moment also opens the door to a powerful truth: the most resilient careers are rooted in human skill, hands-on expertise, and real-world problem-solving —the very pathways BPI champions every day. 🌟 AI Anxiety Is Real—But So Are the Opportunities The WSJ highlights a striking trend: young people are abandoning AI-vulnerable fields like insurance, custome
steve bates
Mar 223 min read


Celebrating Our 2025 Fall Nonprofit Grant Winners
Twice a year, we have the privilege of partnering with outstanding nonprofit organizations that dedicate themselves to helping financially disadvantaged students pursue their dreams. This fall, we proudly awarded over $50,000 in grants to four remarkable organizations: Impact on Education, the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, the Five Star Education Foundation, and Collegiate Crossings. These grants will directly support their missions to provide over 250 studen
Steve Bates
Dec 15, 20254 min read
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