Celebrating 25 years
of ACE Scholarships

Annual Luncheon

Celebrating 25 years
of ACE Scholarships

Annual Luncheon

Program

Speakers

Videos

ACE Founders

Donate

Photos

ACE Story

Cheers to 25 years of educational freedom.

Event Program

“Changing education changes everything” is more than a tagline — it’s a powerful truth that explains why ACE exists. Education sits at the root of nearly every major challenge we face, from economic instability to public health and even national security. When we change education, we create ripple effects that reach far beyond the classroom. For families navigating limited options, educational freedom opens the door to opportunity. When parents can choose the right fit for their children, students thrive — academically and beyond. When we prioritize educational access, we invest in a future where more children are prepared to lead, innovate, and uplift their communities. And that changes everything.

A man of vision who has a proven record of championship success, head coach Nick Saban returned the University of Alabama to the top of the college football landscape with his commitment to building the total program. After the victory over Ohio State in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Saban passed Paul “Bear” Bryant to become the only coach to win seven national titles in the poll era of college football.

Saban’s uncompromising dedication to excellence in every phase of the program resulted in six national championships since 2009. A nine-time National Coach of the Year, Saban achieved resounding success as a head coach and earned a reputation as an outstanding tactician, leader, organizer, and motivator. Those qualities sparked impressive turnarounds at every stop of his career. Saban’s consistent approach and disciplined leadership are the reasons his teams are known for exhibiting grit, determination, and resilience, often overcoming adversity to achieve victory.

The 2021 season proved to one of Saban’s best coaching jobs, taking a team that lost 10 players to the NFL Draft – including eight in the first 38 picks and six in the first round – and leading them to an SEC Championship. The 2021 squad also used a victory in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl to earn a spot in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

The 2021 season saw the Crimson Tide win its eighth SEC Championship under Saban’s guidance with a dominating 41-24 win over No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta. The win earned Alabama it’s seventh College Football Playoff berth in eight years and a bid to the Cotton Bowl. The Tide dispatched of the Bearcats 27-6 in Dallas to advance to the National Championship where Georgia scored 20 fourth-quarter points for a come-from-behind 33-18 win in the CFP National Championship Game. Alabama finished with a 13-2 record and a No. 2 national ranking that included a 7-1 mark in SEC play. UA finished sixth nationally in scoring offense (39.9 ppg) and 18th in scoring defense (20.1 ppg) while ranking seventh in both total offense (488.2 ypg) and total defense (304.1 ypg).

In his 28 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Saban compiled a 297-71-1 (.806) record, including a 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa. His teams won 19 bowl/CFP games. Saban’s teams at Alabama have won nine SEC Championships while he has 11 SEC titles to his name (2001, 2003 at LSU) to go along with seven national championships (six at Alabama and one at LSU).

Saban’s second season in Tuscaloosa in 2008, the Tide has played just three regular-season games in which it hasn’t been in contention for the national championship – the final three regular season games of the 2010 season – a staggering 163 of 166 games, while posting an astounding 176-19 (.903) record, including an 102-12 (.895) mark in regular season conference play.

In Saban’s six national championship seasons at Alabama, his teams went 21-2 against top-10 opponents, and, since 2008, the Crimson Tide is 35-12 overall against top-10 teams.  Alabama has also been ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll for at least one week for 14 straight years, which broke the record of seven established by Miami (1986-92).

In 1998, during their time at Michigan State University, Nick and Terry Saban established Nick’s Kids Foundation in honor of the late Nick Saban, Sr. Since then, the Sabans have maintained and supported their charity throughout their careers at Louisiana State University, the Miami Dolphins and at the University of Alabama. As the official charity of the Saban Family, Nick and Terry invest their time in hosting luncheons, golf tournaments, scrimmages, and other events to benefit the cause. They are also active in the annual Giveaway Luncheon, which serves to distribute grants to support children, family, teacher and student causes. Nick and Terry also recently started the Saban Center, which is a first-of-its-kind STEAM campus where education, experience, and innovation meet. It includes community partners at TCT and IGNITE, formerly Children’s Hands-On Museum, plus public-private educational partnerships spanning the state of Alabama. Saban Center will be a hub for education training, arts participation and academic support for teachers and families alike.

A native of Monongah, W. Va., Saban is a 1973 graduate of Kent State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Kent State in 1975. Born Oct. 31, 1951, Saban and his wife, the former Terry Constable, have two children, Nicholas and Kristen. They have been married for 52 years and are enjoying the company of their friends, children, granddaughter Amélie, daughter-in-law Samira, and grandson James.

Featured Speaker

Nick Saban

A man of vision who has a proven record of championship success, head coach Nick Saban returned the University of Alabama to the top of the college football landscape with his commitment to building the total program. After the victory over Ohio State in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Saban passed Paul “Bear” Bryant to become the only coach to win seven national titles in the poll era of college football.

Saban’s uncompromising dedication to excellence in every phase of the program resulted in six national championships since 2009. A nine-time National Coach of the Year, Saban achieved resounding success as a head coach and earned a reputation as an outstanding tactician, leader, organizer, and motivator. Those qualities sparked impressive turnarounds at every stop of his career. Saban’s consistent approach and disciplined leadership are the reasons his teams are known for exhibiting grit, determination, and resilience, often overcoming adversity to achieve victory.

The 2021 season proved to one of Saban’s best coaching jobs, taking a team that lost 10 players to the NFL Draft – including eight in the first 38 picks and six in the first round – and leading them to an SEC Championship. The 2021 squad also used a victory in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl to earn a spot in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

The 2021 season saw the Crimson Tide win its eighth SEC Championship under Saban’s guidance with a dominating 41-24 win over No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta. The win earned Alabama it’s seventh College Football Playoff berth in eight years and a bid to the Cotton Bowl. The Tide dispatched of the Bearcats 27-6 in Dallas to advance to the National Championship where Georgia scored 20 fourth-quarter points for a come-from-behind 33-18 win in the CFP National Championship Game. Alabama finished with a 13-2 record and a No. 2 national ranking that included a 7-1 mark in SEC play. UA finished sixth nationally in scoring offense (39.9 ppg) and 18th in scoring defense (20.1 ppg) while ranking seventh in both total offense (488.2 ypg) and total defense (304.1 ypg).

In his 28 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Saban compiled a 297-71-1 (.806) record, including a 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa. His teams won 19 bowl/CFP games. Saban’s teams at Alabama have won nine SEC Championships while he has 11 SEC titles to his name (2001, 2003 at LSU) to go along with seven national championships (six at Alabama and one at LSU).

Saban’s second season in Tuscaloosa in 2008, the Tide has played just three regular-season games in which it hasn’t been in contention for the national championship – the final three regular season games of the 2010 season – a staggering 163 of 166 games, while posting an astounding 176-19 (.903) record, including an 102-12 (.895) mark in regular season conference play.

In Saban’s six national championship seasons at Alabama, his teams went 21-2 against top-10 opponents, and, since 2008, the Crimson Tide is 35-12 overall against top-10 teams.  Alabama has also been ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll for at least one week for 14 straight years, which broke the record of seven established by Miami (1986-92).

In 1998, during their time at Michigan State University, Nick and Terry Saban established Nick’s Kids Foundation in honor of the late Nick Saban, Sr. Since then, the Sabans have maintained and supported their charity throughout their careers at Louisiana State University, the Miami Dolphins and at the University of Alabama. As the official charity of the Saban Family, Nick and Terry invest their time in hosting luncheons, golf tournaments, scrimmages, and other events to benefit the cause. They are also active in the annual Giveaway Luncheon, which serves to distribute grants to support children, family, teacher and student causes. Nick and Terry also recently started the Saban Center, which is a first-of-its-kind STEAM campus where education, experience, and innovation meet. It includes community partners at TCT and IGNITE, formerly Children’s Hands-On Museum, plus public-private educational partnerships spanning the state of Alabama. Saban Center will be a hub for education training, arts participation and academic support for teachers and families alike.

A native of Monongah, W. Va., Saban is a 1973 graduate of Kent State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Kent State in 1975. Born Oct. 31, 1951, Saban and his wife, the former Terry Constable, have two children, Nicholas and Kristen. They have been married for 52 years and are enjoying the company of their friends, children, granddaughter Amélie, daughter-in-law Samira, and grandson James.

Additional Speaker Videos

Hear Our Speakers

NORTON RAINEY, CEO
ACE SCHOLARSHIPS

NATIONAL ANTHEM
FRONT RANGE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY

ALEX CRANBERG
ACE FOUNDER

DAU, ALUEL, AND NYANKAT DOLDOL
ACE FAMILY

GRETA ALEXANDER
ACE PARENT

Event Videos

2025 Highlight Reel

Changing Education Changes Everything

ACE Founders

ACE 101

ACE Founders

ACE Scholarships was founded in 2000 by Alex Cranberg, Charlie Gallagher, Ralph Nagel, John Saeman and the late Ed McVaney and John Walton to provide low-income parents with the freedom to choose the K-12 schools that are best for their children.

The founders’ vision was powerful but simple: that all children have access to great schools. The founders’ commitment to launch ACE was formed through many years of frustration with a lack of reform within the public school system and unsuccessful legislative efforts to provide publicly funded vouchers to families for private school.

They were also keenly aware that low-income students lagged far behind students of other incomes and that overall, American students continued to fall further behind students in other countries.

What is School Choice?

School choice allows every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently.

Class of 2035

Ways to Support

Donate

Thank you for choosing to donate to ACE Scholarships Colorado.

Donations up to $50,000: please use the link below to fill out the donation form and click the Secure Payment button to submit.

Donations greater than $50,000 or to donate stock: please contact Liz Cole at [email protected].

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

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

Event Photos