About the Foundation

Michael and Deborah Dunafon have always viewed philanthropy as a pillar in their lifestyle. Anyone who has gotten to know these incredible people personally, or has had the pleasure of working with them, knows that they live in abundance!     Furthermore, they are happy to share their abundance with you. All you must do is show up, show interest, show a work ethic, and show loyalty if you do these things they will help in any way possible. Their goal is to help get people to their destination whether it’s a management position or a Castle in the sky. The Dunafons know how to dream while they are awake, plan, and execute. They hope to help youth reach their dreams but they also know that it takes the harmonizing of body, mind, and spirit. 

Knowing that the private sector is full of people who, ‘know the way, and show the way’ these people can open a door to at-risk youth in a way that the government cannot; the Dunafons decided it was time to establish a platform to help youth with the foundation that every ‘successful’ person has come to terms with: you are in control.     

No matter what circumstance one finds themself in; they can take control of their body, mind, and spirit. The Dunafons believe that a world where everyone is the captain of their fate and the masters of their soul is a beautiful world. A mentee participating in a Dunafon Family program will know this: the world will produce for them what they deserve and they deserve their dreams, but no one will give it to them.   

Tyler and Lindsey have had the pleasure of spending more time with the Dunafons than anyone as Tyler is their son and Lindsey is their daughter-in-law.  Moved by faith, and inspired by what the Dunafons have done in politics, business, and philanthropy; Tyler and Lindsey gingerly asked to start a not-for-profit to further the Dunafons’ views and legacy. Knowing that even though Michael Dunafon has been in politics for a long time he believes that it is the power of the individual that makes society work. We are our brother’s keeper unless our brothers do not need keeping, in which case do not force them to be kept! As for Debbie her views on the government and putting in the work to create an entity where the government would tell her which specific ways in which she could express her philanthropy…well her views would look something like this ---- !@## that!!!  

Tyler and Lindsey were pleasantly surprised when the Dunafons agreed to create a nonprofit. As mentioned above anyone who is willing to show up and work will share in Michael and Debbie’s abundance. Thus, Tyler and Lindsey set the task of forming specific ways in which the foundation would impact the community.   Tyler and Lindsey hold the same views their parents/in-laws do about working out. The list of positives as it pertains to at-risk youth getting into a sport or gym is vast and covered in the pages to come. The workout culture in the United States is healthier than ever, one can find a competent trainer in hundreds of gyms around the Denver metro area. After interviewing several of these trainers Tyler and Lindsey were happy to hear their hunch was true: trainers would love to help keep at-risk youth out of the system in any way possible.   

More and more research is showing resistance training is very healthy for youth.   Trainers in the gym are men and women many of which have had high levels of success in the sports arena, who know and love the human body, and how to feed and work it properly.  In a day and age where anorexic models take the runway before the plus size women take the stage; young women without healthy direction are bound for confusion. Both female and male trainers were completely enthusiastic to help in a way that lined up with their passion and careers.  

Moreover, the hassle for them to receive a mentee was menial the Dunafon Family Foundation wanted the kids to go to the mentor’s job site to receive the mentoring. Meaning that the sustainability of the mentor/mentee relationship would be extremely strong and meetings would be frequent.  Furthermore, in the days of companies like Lyft that do thorough background checks on their drivers, and can set up rides days in advance the mentees didn’t even need to worry about transportation. “Barbells are Better” and “Off the Matt Academy” were born.

Michael, Deborah, Lindsey, and Tyler are proud to say that the Dunafon Family Foundation was created in January of 2017. The foundation is volunteer-based in & one hundred percent of funding goes towards our mission statement. At some point, they see the foundation growing to include a full-time staff; however, the Dunafon Family Foundation will have open accounting for anyone who would like to see the books upon appointment.  

Tyler Mintz

Executive Board Member

720.472.2727