Matthew Shepard Foundation

The Matthew Shepard Foundation, based in Denver, CO, operates a comprehensive outreach and advocacy program dedicated to erasing hate and promoting human dignity across America. Since 1998, the organization has developed specialized initiatives that address hate crime prevention, community education, and cultural change at local, regional, and national levels.

The Foundation's core programs include hate crime prevention training designed specifically for law enforcement officers and prosecutors, equipping them with essential skills and tools to improve community relations and enhance their understanding of effective hate crime enforcement. The organization also supports dozens of productions of The Laramie Project and its epilogue, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, annually across the country, recognizing these plays as powerful vehicles for fostering dialogue about diversity and acceptance.

Additionally, the Matthew Shepard Foundation facilitates speaking engagements featuring the Shepard family, who bring a unique ability to connect with diverse audiences and help communities understand the importance of accepting everyone as they are. The Foundation's work focuses on empowering individuals to find their voice for change while challenging communities to identify and address hate in schools, neighborhoods, and homes. Through these integrated programs, the Denver-based organization continues Matthew Shepard's legacy of creating safer, more caring communities that embrace the dignity and equality of all people.