Colorado businessman Don McFall and a group of philanthropists formed Challenge as a nonprofit in the mid-1990s to provide educational opportunities to hard-working, ambitious students from low-income families. With the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty for children through education, Challenge began offering summer school sessions for middle school students and scholarships toward tuition at college preparatory high schools.
Since its inception, Challenge has grown to include scholarship offerings to middle school students in an effort to foster increased hope and academic dedication among students. Students with high potential for academic achievement are eligible for the organization’s intensive multi-year program, which seeks to build character and prepare them for the tasks ahead in both high school and college. Additionally, Challenge offers services such as therapeutic intervention, service learning, and individual case management. The organization serves over 150 students in Denver, Phoenix, and El Paso.