Building the Future

2026 ACE Scholarships
Annual Luncheon

Building the Future

2026 ACE Scholarships
Annual Luncheon

Program

Speakers

Videos

Donate

Photos

Education Freedom Tax Credit

Event Program

This year, as our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we reflect on the many ways education and opportunity have shaped America. From the six branches of our military to the skilled trades that built this country, and the entrepreneurs who continue to drive its innovation. Our future has always been crafted by people who learned, worked, and served with purpose.

At ACE Scholarships, we know that changing education is the foundation for every future, no matter which path a student chooses. This year, we proudly broaden the story we tell to celebrate the many directions education can lead.

Because education doesn’t point in only one direction. It points in all of them.

And Changing Education Changes Everything for students who become service members, first responders, skilled tradespeople, entrepreneurs, as well as those who pursue college degrees. Their stories remind us that opportunity is not one-size-fits-all; it is personal, powerful, and transformative.

Mike Rowe is a writer, narrator, producer, recording artist, Emmy-Award winning TV Host, New York Times Best Selling author, and the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. As the creator and host of the iconic TV series Dirty Jobs, Mike is best-known as “the dirtiest man on TV,” but his true calling is storytelling. From Somebody’s Gotta Do It to Returning the Favor, The Story Behind the Story, Six Degrees, and The Way I Heard It, Mike continues to tap the country on the shoulder and say, “These are people you should know.” In his role as a perpetual apprentice, Mike has highlighted hundreds of workers in dozens of essential industries. His foundation has awarded millions of dollars in work ethic scholarships, and his commitment to reinvigorate the skilled trades is unrivaled.

Two speakers on stage at an event, one seated wearing a hat and suit and the other standing and gesturing beside a small table with water bottles, with a large play button icon overlaid indicating a video.

Watch the Q&A of Mike and Mark

Mike Rowe is a writer, narrator, producer, recording artist, Emmy-Award winning TV Host, New York Times Best Selling author, and the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. As the creator and host of the iconic TV series Dirty Jobs, Mike is best-known as “the dirtiest man on TV,” but his true calling is storytelling. From Somebody’s Gotta Do It to Returning the Favor, The Story Behind the Story, Six Degrees, and The Way I Heard It, Mike continues to tap the country on the shoulder and say, “These are people you should know.” In his role as a perpetual apprentice, Mike has highlighted hundreds of workers in dozens of essential industries. His foundation has awarded millions of dollars in work ethic scholarships, and his commitment to reinvigorate the skilled trades is unrivaled.

Additional Speaker Videos

Hear Our Speakers

Person standing on a stage holding a microphone, wearing a suit jacket, positioned in front of a large American flag backdrop, with a presentation screen to the side and a play button icon overlaid indicating a video.

Norton Rainey, CEO
ACE Scholarships

Four individuals standing on a stage beside a clear podium, with one speaking while the others stand in a line, set against a large event backdrop with bold lettering and star graphics; a play button icon is overlaid in the center indicating a video.

Griselda, Carlos, Ariana & David Estrada
ACE Family

Two individuals standing at microphones behind music stands, addressing an audience, with a large play button overlay indicating a video.

Mark Becker, Founder/Executive Director
Kristin Becker, Development Director
Pikes Peak Academy, ACE Partner School

Individual standing at a microphone on a stage, speaking while facing slightly to the side, with a large flag backdrop and a play button icon overlaid indicating a video.

Gilbert Antillon
ACE Alumnus

Person standing at a podium speaking into a microphone, wearing a red jacket, with a large play button icon overlaid indicating a video.

Natasha Harris
ACE Board of Directors

Person wearing a cowboy hat standing at a microphone and reading from a music stand on a stage, with a large flag backdrop and a play button icon overlaid indicating a video.

Raymond Howard
ACE Alumnus

Event Videos

Large banquet hall with rows of seated attendees and a central red carpet aisle leading to a stage, where a group stands beneath banners with American flags on either side; a large play button icon overlays the center indicating a video.

2026 Highlight Reel

ACE 101

Group of children posing in front of a large U.S. flag

Building the Future

Illustration showing a person directing funds toward ACE Scholarships instead of the IRS, with icons for money and a play button in the center.

Education Freedom Tax Credit

Ways to Support

Donate

Thank you for choosing to donate to ACE Scholarships Colorado.

Donations up to $200,000: please use the link below to fill out the donation form and click the Secure Payment button to submit.

Donations greater than $200,000 or to donate stock: please contact Liz Fitzgerald at [email protected].

Donate now

See how far your donation can go:

YOUR SUPPORT Give Once Monthly
10 children for a year $35,000 $3,000
5 children for a year $17,500 $1,500
2 children for a year $7,000 $600
1 child for a year $3,500 $300
1 child for a semester $1,750 $150
1 child for a quarter $875 $75
YOUR SUPPORT Give Once Monthly
10 children for a year $30,000 $2,500
5 children for a year $15,000 $1,250
2 children for a year $6,000 $500
1 child for a year $3,000 $250
1 child for a semester $1,500 $125
1 child for a quarter $750 $62.50

Planned Giving

We established this program to celebrate those who have chosen to include ACE Scholarships in their long-term plans through estate commitments, life-income gifts, or other deferred giving arrangements.

Bequests & Legacy Gifts

An estate gift provision in your will or trust

Retirement Plan Assets

Using retirement plans to impact ACE today and tomorrow

Appreciated Assets

Maximum impact and avoid tax on capital gains

Donor-Advised Fund

A flexible, personal giving fund

Income-Producing Gifts

Increase your retirement income and make a gift to ACE

Life Insurance

Transform your life insurance into a lasting legacy

Learn more about planned giving

You can be a part of changing a child’s story.

For more information about how you can be a part of ACE Scholarships, please reach out to:

Brittani O’Brien

[email protected]

Liz Fitzgerald

[email protected]

Event Photos

Man and woman on a stage in front of a microphone
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Two people posing together at an indoor event beside a stack of books
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People on stage exchanging an award or gift during an ACE Scholarships event, with a large screen backdrop and U.S. flag behind them.
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Youth in a Cub Scout uniform stands in front of older scouts in tan uniforms on stage during an event.
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Person at a banquet table holding up a small bell, with other guests seated nearby and a crowded event hall in the background.
Student standing on a stage at a microphone and podium
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Large event with speaker at podium on stage, U.S. flag backdrop, and audience seated at banquet tables during an ACE Scholarships annual luncheon.
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Student choir in formal black attire singing from sheet music on stage, with a U.S. flag backdrop behind them.
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Two attendees in formal wear at an event in a ballroom
Four people standing on a stage next to each other and one woman is speaking into a microphone
Two speakers seated on stage during a live discussion at an ACE Scholarships event, with a U.S. flag and large “Building the Future” backdrop behind them.
Four attendees in formal wear at an event in a ballroom
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Two attendees in formal wear at an event in a ballroom
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Man and a woman standing on a stage in front of podiums and a microphone
Two women on a stage smiling and embracing
Two attendees in formal wear at an event in a ballroom
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Four attendees in formal wear at an event in a ballroom
Two people shaking hands on stage at an ACE Scholarships event, with a U.S. flag backdrop and large presentation screen behind them.
Two musicians in colonial-style attire playing flutes in front of U.S. and Colorado flags at an indoor event.
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Student standing on a stage at a microphone
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woman standing on a stage in front of a podium
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Three attendees in formal wear at an event in a ballroom
Mom and son standing on a stage smiling in front of a podium
Mike Rowe and Norton Rainey at an event
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People seated around a round banquet table in a large event hall, eating and interacting, with plates of partially finished meals, glasses, and stacked books used as a centerpiece visible in the foreground, and a crowded audience and stage with screens in the background.
Two speakers seated on stage during a live discussion at an ACE Scholarships event, with a U.S. flag and large “Building the Future” backdrop behind them.
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Two boys carrying flags onto a stage
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