Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award

Continuing the Legacy of Giving

To honor our founder's legacy of giving, Opus and the Opus Foundation® launched the Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award in 2015.

Fueled by unwavering optimism, Gerry demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and a commitment to finding a better way to build a business, along with a community and values-centered life. With an enduring belief that business has a responsibility to strengthen society, Gerry ensured giving back was a cornerstone of his business, and it remains at the core of our organization today.

Each year, an office is randomly chosen, and the associates in that office get to select a winning nonprofit. In recognition of their impactful work, the nonprofit receives an Opus Foundation® grant totaling $1,000 for each year since Gerry Rauenhorst founded the business that would become The Opus Group of today.

Building Community Award Logo

2023 Building Community Award Winner

2021 Building Community Award check presentation to The Link

PREP-KC

Representing Kansas City
https://prepkc.org/

PREP-KC helps students attending Kansas City's urban school districts succeed in college and their careers. Their partner schools have 61 to 100% low income students and 40 to 99% students of color.

Kansas City associates volunteered with PREP-KC in 2019 at their "Mad City Money" event, which was designed to increase students' financial literacy with a focus on budgeting.

"We staffed interactive booths with topics including mortgage, transportation and daycare, among others," said Megan Garner, Senior Project Manager. "We've long considered this our favorite group volunteer event to date!"

Megan began individually volunteering with PREP-KC last year at their speed-networking style Career Jumping events. Volunteers speak with small groups of students for eight minutes each about their career path and how school was relevant to their path.

"I have done two of these so far – one with high school sophomores and one with sixth graders. Both times have been great, and I have always found the students to be very engaged," Megan said. "I take the opportunity to educate the students about the construction industry. I like to show them that a woman can be successful on this career path, and I also like to talk about the construction trades. It's important that kids know that working in the construction trades is a great career path that can start earning them money right after high school."

PREP-KC works to prepare students for life after high school graduation, whether that be college or entering the workforce.

2022 Building Community Award Winner

2021 Building Community Award check presentation to The Link

Starfish Initiative

Representing Indianapolis
https://www.starfishinitiative.org/

Based in Indianapolis, Starfish Initiative works to "inspire, encourage, and prepare motivated high school students from the most vulnerable populations for college, career, and life success through one-on-one mentoring."

"When the Opus Indy team learned that we had been selected to choose this year's recipient, we were excited to be part of the process," said Richard Kauffman, Regional Vice President of Construction. "We considered a number of organizations, but ultimately focused on Starfish Initiative."

"Starfish has helped several thousand students realize their dream of going to college," said Brad Leimer, Director of Project Management.

In this most recent school year, 80 Starfish Initiative scholars graduated high school. Along with many other accomplishments, over 18,000 mentor hours were provided.

2021 Building Community Award Winner

2021 Building Community Award check presentation to The Link

The Link

Representing Minneapolis
https://thelinkmn.org/

In their own words:

No one should have to trade sex for a safe place to stay. And no young family should have to sleep in a car or outside because they don't have a home. The Link provides crisis support, emergency shelter and housing to over 2,000 youth and young families each year. They offer a safety net for youth often left behind, providing programs made to meet the needs of Black youth, LGBTQ youth, young parents and more.

Youth at The Link are moving out of survival mode and building stability. The impact is life changing: youth have a safe place to call home (often for the first time), are healing from trauma, achieving sobriety, developing trusting relationships, getting back to school, finding jobs they love and so much more.

With the Building Community Award, more youth and families will have access to housing and the vital supportive services offered by The Link.​

2021 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

By The Hand Club for Kids

Representing Chicago

By The Hand Club For Kids provides holistic after-school programming that invests in students from Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

Representing Denver

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is the largest provider of services to the homeless in Colorado.

Starts Right Here

Representing Des Moines

Street life, drugs, gangs, murders involved founder Will Keeps. It must stop now with Starts Right Here program.

MLK Center

Representing Indianapolis

At the MLK Center, families can access education, new opportunities, follow their path and find stability and peace.

Harvesters

Representing Kansas City

Harvesters and its agency partners respond to hunger in our community by distributing food and educating about food insecurity.

Child Crisis Arizona

Representing Phoenix

Providing children and youth in Arizona a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families.

Peter & Paul Community Services

Representing St. Louis

PPCS is rooted in creating sustainable living situations for our clients, mainly homeless and struggling with chronic mental health challenges.

2020 Building Community Award Winner

2020 Building Community Award check presentation to Creative Visions

Creative Visions Human Development Institute

Representing Des Moines
http://cvonline.us/

Creative Visions provides resources to individuals who want to make a positive change in their life. Programing guides individuals and families toward sustainability and self-sufficiency through education, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

As their vision states, Creative Visions' breaks "the chain of poverty and hopelessness within vulnerable communities, by empowering the individuals from within them, to become prosperous and productive citizens, who contribute to and shape prosperous and productive communities."

Since their founding in 1996, they've helped thousands build stronger lives, families and communities.

2020 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

Center for Enriched Living

Representing Chicago

​Include, achieve, enjoy: Goals for Center for Enriched Living's social, recreational, employment and educational programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.​

Environmental Learning for Kids

Representing Denver

ELK is an inclusive organization that develops inspired and responsible leaders through science education and outdoor experiences for underserved, urban youth ages 5 – 25.

Indianapolis Parks Foundation

Representing Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Parks Foundation is committed to demonstrating the transformational power of parks by connecting resources to needs.

Giving the Basics

Representing Kansas City

Giving the Basics supports health and dignity by providing free hygiene and sanitation products for Kansas City’s poor.

Lake Street Council

Representing Minneapolis

Lake Street Council is a business association serving hundreds of mostly small, immigrant-owned businesses near Lake Street in Minneapolis.

i.d.e.a. Museum

Representing Phoenix

i.d.e.a. Museum helps strengthen families and supports early education through art, creativity and imagination so that children flourish and thrive.

Building Futures

Representing St. Louis

Building Futures challenges young people to discover their unique path in the 21st century through invention, designing and building.

2019 Building Community Award Winner

St. Mary’s Child Center

Representing Indianapolis, IN
https://www.smccindy.org/

We're proud to name St. Mary's Child Center (SMCC) the 5th annual Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award winner!

Early childhood education matters! SMCC knows this and offers two initiatives to educate children, prepare them for kindergarten and mitigate the negative outcomes of poverty on their lives. SMCC's Preschool and Educational Outreach Programs provide a comprehensive scope of resources to help children developmentally in all aspects.

Over 90% of SMCC's three to five-year-old students live in poverty. Children in poverty hear 30,000,000 fewer words than their middle-class peers and are read to only 25 hours before entering kindergarten. SMCC's mission is to provide the highest quality early education program to benefit their 228 students throughout five Indianapolis locations.

SMCC uses the Reggio Emilia approach to emphasize the idea that children are strong, competent and capable. Their low adult-to-child ratio ensures that children are given quality care and attention. 80% of SMCC'​s students advance to kindergarten at a five-year-old developmental level.

For over 50 years, SMCC has worked with children to create a more successful future!

Learn More

2019 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

Cradles to Crayons

Representing Chicago, IL

Cradles to Crayons provides children with the essential items they need to thrive at home, at school and at play.

Denver Kids

Representing Denver, CO

Denver Kids helps Denver Public School students facing adversity to complete high school, pursue post-secondary options and empower their futures.

Anawim Housing

Representing Des Moines, IA

Anawim develops stable homes and strengthens communities by providing access to safe, affordable housing for households who need it most.

PREP-KC

Representing Kansas City, MO

PREP-KC provides students attending Kansas City’s urban schools with opportunities that prepare them to succeed in college and the workplace.

Special Olympics MN

Representing Minneapolis, MN

Special Olympics Minnesota provides year-round programming that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to transform themselves, their communities and the world.

Homeless Youth Connection

Representing Phoenix, AZ

HYC eliminates barriers to graduation for homeless youth by providing basic needs, case management, housing and plans for the future.

JJK Foundation

Representing St. Louis, MO

The vision of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation is to become nationally recognized for empowering youth for Winning In Life™.

2018 Building Community Award Winner

Girls on the Run - Chicago

Representing Chicago/Milwaukee
https://www.gotrchicago.org

We're proud to name Girls on the Run – Chicago the fourth annual Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award winner!

Girls on the Run is a physical activity based positive youth development program for 3rd – 8th grade girls. The innovative program combines training for a 5k with a research-based curricula designed to encourage positive physical and social-emotional health. Started in Charlotte, NC, in 1996, there are now over 200 councils across the country.

Girls face social pressures and conflicting messages about how they should act and who they should be. Girls on the Run inspires girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k. The 5k provides girls with a tangible experience of healthy goal setting and success and lays the foundation for future achievement.

In 2018, Girls on the Run-Chicago will serve 11,000 girls across eight Illinois counties, empowering them to become strong, healthy women.

Learn More

2018 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

Metro Caring

Representing Denver

Metro Caring addresses hunger’s systemic issues with a grocery store, job-readiness program, financial literacy classes and cooking and nutrition education.

Variety - The Children’s Charity

Representing Des Moines

Variety – The Children’s Charity provides funding to nonprofit children’s organizations for building expansions and renovations, life-saving equipment, programming and more.

Elevate Indianapolis

Representing Indianapolis

Elevate works to equip urban youth with the capabilities to thrive and contribute to the community.

reStart, Inc.

Representing Kansas City

reStart is a pioneer of Housing First, a solution-driven, person-focused approach to serving persons who are homeless.

The Link

Representing Minneapolis

The Link has worked with thousands of youth and families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix

Representing Phoenix

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul works to feed, clothe, house and heal Arizonans in need of assistance.

North Side Community School Early Education Center

Representing St. Louis

North Side Community School Early Education Center ensures 100% of pre-K students enter kindergarten with skills necessary for school success.

2017 Building Community Award Winner

Women's Advocates

Representing Minneapolis, MN
http://www.wadvocates.org

We're proud to name Women's Advocates the third annual Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award winner.

Women's Advocates has the nation's first shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence. For more than 43 years, women and children have found a safe place at Women's Advocates.

Using personal and professional experience in their service, Women's Advocates staff have provided around-the-clock shelter and advocacy support to more than 40,000 individuals.

Women leave the shelter with resources, safety plans and continuing support, so they may continue their journey towards safety and stability. Additionally, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, Women's Advocates provides domestic violence and prevention education through presentations, resource materials, tours and online engagement to thousands each year.

Learn More

2017 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

Chicago Lights

Representing Chicago, IL

Chicago Lights provides hope and opportunity to Chicagoans facing the challenges of poverty through supportive relationships and diverse programs.

Denver Street School

Representing Denver, CO

Denver Street School pours into at-risk students so they become well-balanced, productive, independent members of society, fulfilling our vision for them.

Youth Emergency Services & Shelter

Representing Des Moines, IA

YESS meets the physical, mental and social health needs of children while creating an environment where families can thrive.

Starfish Initiative

Representing Indianapolis, IN

Starfish lifts up economically disadvantaged, academically-promising students and provides a path to college and career success.

Cornerstones of Care

Representing Kansas City, MO

Cornerstones of Care is a team of nearly 800 advocates and trauma-informed experts working to improve the safety and health of over 10,000 annually.

Be A Leader Foundation

Representing Phoenix, AZ

The Be A Leader Foundation is unwaveringly optimistic and believes every student has the potential to pursue a higher education.

Home Sweet Home

Representing St. Louis, MO

Home Sweet Home is dedicated to providing support and stability to people transitioning out of homelessness by providing them with the necessities for everyday life.

2016 Building Community Award Winner

School on Wheels

Representing Indianapolis, IN
http://www.indyschoolonwheels.org

For the past 15 years, School on Wheels has positively impacted the Indianapolis community through innovative academic programming that meets the unique needs of the community's most vulnerable youth. School on Wheels provides one-on-one tutoring and educational advocacy for children and their families, helping break the cycle of homelessness through education. Each year, School on Wheels partners with 13 transitional and emergency shelter sites and select public schools to serve hundreds of homeless children. In total, School on Wheels has provided its tutoring services to 4,600 children.

Learn More

2016 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

Bridge Communities

Representing Chicago, IL

"Bridge Communities' mission is to transition homeless families to self-sufficiency by collaborating with partners to provide housing, mentoring and supportive services."

Clayton Early Learning

Representing Denver, CO

Clayton Early Learning impacts the school-readiness of more than 17,000 children in Colorado annually through direct services to children and families, research and evaluation, results-driven teacher training and focused advocacy.

Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa

Representing Des Moines, IA

As a Christian homebuilding organization, Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa works very hard building affordable homes for families in need.

Higher M-Pact

Representing Kansas City, MO

Higher M-Pact sees the potential to transform high-risk urban youth into successful leaders in their families and communities.

Perspectives

Representing Minneapolis, MN

Perspectives tackles some of society's most challenging problems: addiction, chronic homelessness and mental illness faced by mothers and their children, with innovative wraparound services.

Chicanos Por La Causa

Representing Phoenix, AZ

The CPLC Community Center is an after-school program for K-12 students in a neighborhood experiencing poverty, gang activity and failing schools.

Kingdom House

Representing St. Louis, MO

Kingdom House has empowered thousands of individuals and families to achieve a better life which translates into better communities.

2015 Building Community Award Winner

Operation Breakthrough

Representing Kansas City, MO
https://www.operationbreakthrough.org


2015 Finalists

Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven each received a $1,500 grant from the Opus Foundation®.

La Casa Norte

Representing Chicago, IL

La Casa Norte has impacted 25,000 people over the past 12 years across Chicago by providing much needed services, empowering homeless and at-risk youth and families.

Mile High United Way - Bridging the Gap Program

Representing Denver, CO

Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap is an innovative, data-driven program developed to address the needs of youth transitioning from the child welfare system.

Joppa Outreach, Inc.

Representing Des Moines, IA

Joppa provides food, clothing, shelter, and meets unmet needs for homeless people in Des Moines.

Outreach, Inc.

Representing Indianapolis, IN

Outreach, Inc. equips and empowers homeless teens and young adults to achieve stability and life transformation.

Guest House of Milwaukee

Representing Milwaukee, WI

Guest House of Milwaukee provides shelter, housing, education and services to Milwaukee’s homeless who seek to transform their lives with dignity and purpose.

Urban Boatbuilders

Representing Minneapolis, MN

Urban Boatbuilders uses the building of wooden boats as a vehicle to empower youth and develop their academic, social, and work-readiness skills.

Dress for Success

Representing Phoenix, AZ

Dress for Success Phoenix empowers Phoenix women to emerge from poverty and reach their fullest potential.

Youth Learning Center

Representing St. Louis, MO

Youth Learning Center offers a model for integrating individualized learning and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics, through the use of project-based learning and industry-standard technology.