Peak Education, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit, recently received a $200,000 grant from Chick-Fil-A, according to a news release.

The donation was part of Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards program, a initiative that recognizes organizations making a positive impact in communities across the U.S. The program, celebrating its 10^th anniversary, is honoring 51 nonprofits nationwide, including organizations in Durango, Littleton, Greeley, Lafayette, Granby, Crested Butte and Colorado Springs. The donation was announced Jan. 9. 

“This grant is huge for us,” said Carlos Jimenez, Peak Education’s CEO. “It will strengthen our financial position to help us deepen our programming, retain and hire new staff, and ultimately serve more students.”

Created in response to a 1997 shooting that killed two Harrison School District 2 students and imprisoned two others, Peak Education was initially conceived as a scholarship-based incentive program. In the years since its inception, the nonprofit has expanded its services to include college and career readiness, community engagement, financial literacy and more, supporting underserved youths from 7^th grade through college, Jimenez said.

“We identify students who have a lot of potential but don’t necessarily have the advantages that other kids might have,” he said. “Then we partner with their schools and families to guide those students through their school years toward a great postsecondary option, whether that’s a four-year school or two-year certificate.”

Education professionals from the nonprofit help make scholars more aware of educational and career opportunities, officials said.

“The goal is to try to build a base of skills that allow the these students to understand a little bit more about the world, and about what young adulthood could have in store for them,” Jimenez said.

 Since the True Inspiration Award program’s inception in 2015, the national restaurant chain has awarded more than 300 grants totaling more than $27 million, officials said.

“This year’s True Inspiration Awards grant recipients are doing incredible work in their local communities — from feeding those in need to providing resources for military families to supporting the development of students and more,” said Chick-fil-A spokesman Brent Fielder.

For Jimenez and the Peak Education staff, the award represents more than a welcome infusion of capital. It also serves as tangible confirmation that the nonprofit, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year, is moving in the right direction.

“This is a national grant,” Jimenez said. “It means that the work we’re doing here, in Colorado Springs, is gaining national recognition. That tells me we’re on the right track in terms of our impact and what we’re trying to do for our community. I’m excited about what we’ll be able to do with this grant.”