The Sean "Ranch" Lough Foundation was started in memory of Sean - a dear friend, brother and son who tragically passed away in June of 2001 as a result of a mountain biking accident. In his twenty-nine years of life, Ranch accomplished more than many do in a lifetime. One of his greatest attributes was his ability to live every day to its fullest and have a good time, while focusing on accomplishing the high goals he set for himself.
Although his life and bright future were cut short, his spirit will remain in everyone he knew and his legacy will provide scholarships for deserving young students. This legacy lives on as each year we throw the biggest and best Derby Party in the country, raising money to provide four-year scholarships to those who would otherwise not be able to attend college.
Our mission is to provide first-generation, underprivileged Denver youth four year, full-ride college scholarships.
After Sean’s passing, a group of his friends decided to start a charity to honor his memory. After much contemplation of different ways to benefit society, they decided the greatest impact would be providing scholarships to underprivileged youth that are the first in their family to ever attend college. They specifically identified students who would otherwise not attend a four-year college due to cost, and hopefully provide a cascading effect for future generations.
The founders decided early on to raise funds primarily through events, much like other charities. However, due to the age of the founders at the time, they knew a typical "gala" and asking peers for donations was not the best path to success. The founders decided to create unique events that would lead to a high-demand ticket. After launching with three successful events each year, the Foundation decided to focus on growing their signature event - the original Denver Derby Event. The Derby sells out quickly each year, and the demographics and cause resonated well with corporate partners. Thus, corporate sponsorship has become the largest source of growth for the foundation.
Organization name
Sean 'Ranch' Lough Foundation
2000
Tax id (EIN)
83-3140498
Category
Education, Youth Development, Public & Societal Benefit
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
1312 17th Street Unit #2380CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Denver, CO, US