The Matthew Shepard Foundation is a nationally recognized Denver-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit founded in December 1998 by Judy and Dennis Shepard in memory of their son Matthew, who was murdered in a hate crime that galvanized the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. The Shepards have a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life and help them understand and appreciate diversity, with an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community, Matthew Shepard Foundation carrying Matthew’s story into classrooms, corporations, and communities across the country. The Foundation’s mission is to amplify the story of Matthew Shepard to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people. ColoradoGives.org The Foundation is a member of the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and has nearly 185,000 social media followers reflecting its national reach and impact.