Vision:
The Puksta Foundation is a 501C-3 non-profit corporation registered in the state of Colorado. The foundation was established in 2001 and awarded its first scholarships for the Fall semester of 2002.  Since then, the foundation has established Puksta Scholars programs at the The University of Denver, The University of Colorado at Boulder and at Colorado State University.  Because our democracy requires citizens who have a sense of civic responsibility, the Puksta Foundation as well as our partner educational institutions embrace this educational role.  Each Puksta Scholar is required to identify a need in the community, whether it is their local community or global community, and develop a program which addresses that need.  Our scholars in the past have worked on issues such as healthcare, mentoring young adults at risk, renewable energy and immigration.  Puksta Scholars serve as a catalyst for bringing about positive change in the campus culture and in the local communities, while acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences necessary for ethical, responsible citizenship upon graduation.

The Puksta Foundation will develop educated and active community leaders. The Puksta's understood that a college education is only part of one's learning opportunity and that participation in the community through volunteer activities is the perspective that truly shapes an individuals life. For this reason, the Foundation encourages all Puksta scholarship recipients to become engaged in the community and to volunteer time and energy to the betterment of Colorado.

History:
The Puksta Educational Foundation was established through the generous gifting of Harry L. and Eva J. Puksta. Harry and Eva Puksta were both longtime residents of the Denver, Colorado area.
Harry was born in Chicago, Illinois and attended high school in Denver, Colorado. He joined the US Army in 1941, and after serving for 5 years during WW2, Harry was honorably discharged as a technician third grade.

Eva was born and raised in Albion, Nebraska. She moved to the Denver area after working, for a short time, for the IRS in Washington, D.C. Eva had a long career as a bookkeeper for a local concrete company. Although Harry and Eva had no children of their own, their legacy will support underprivileged young adults as they pursue their education at Colorado universities.