New scholarship fund supports underrepresented local students at Leeds

A philanthropic investment from Boulder donors Chuck Bellock and his wife Madeleine Morrison will support the success of underrepresented Colorado undergraduate students at CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.

Bellock is the founder and president of Community Development Group (CDG) in Boulder, which has created numerous communities throughout the Front Range. Through their $2.25 million pledge, Bellock and Morrison are delighted to give back to the residents of towns where CDG has worked at providing a template for quality growth communities.

“Colorado has been a wonderful place to raise our family and grow our business, as it has been for so many others who came here over the years, and it’s our duty and pleasure to give back in this way,” said Bellock. “I hope others will follow suit.”

Bellock and Morrison’s gift, the Community Development Group Student Support Funds, will provide scholarship support to local, low-income, outstanding students to assist them in attending CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. The scholarship aid will specifically focus on students from the towns of Erie, Frederick, Dacono and Broomfield.

“We have been very fortunate to work collaboratively with these towns, creating highly amenitized neighborhoods where families thrive and that we are all proud to be associated with,” remarked Bellock. “This investment helps to ensure continued prosperity for the residents of these towns and for our future leaders – the CDG Scholars – to become productive members of both their families and society.”

Bellock and Morrison’s gift comes in the form of a $750,000 multi-year pledge and a $1.5 million bequest that will fund these scholarships in perpetuity. The Bellock/Morrison gift focuses on three areas of support: scholarship, programming and emergency relief funding.  

The CDG Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, are enrolled in the Leeds School of Business and are residents of the towns where CDG has done significant development.

In support of the scholarship recipients, the CDG Scholarship Programmatic Fund will academically assist the students through campus resources such as tutoring, academic advising and community building. 

The final area of support, the CDG Endowed Student Relief Fund, will provide additional assistance to scholarship recipients who experience a financial emergency. This will help to ensure that all of the students are able to complete their education.

“Scholarship support is essential for recruitment and retention at the Leeds School of Business,” said Dean Sharon Matusik. “As non-alums and leaders in the community, we are thrilled that Chuck and Madeleine are recognizing the value of a business education through such an impactful student program.”

As the first in his family to attend college, Bellock has come to value the role that education can play in career success and the impact that it can have on the entire family.

“This gift is more than scholarship funds,” said Bellock. “It’s a chance to provide the tools that will support Leeds students and allow them to have successful careers – both in college and beyond, while providing a path to success for their families as well.”

Learn how you can contribute to CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business at colorado.edu/business/advancement.