Written by Kristin Fasy, Director of Major Gifts

Ray Nutt, former Raise the Future Board Chair, honorary board member, and longtime advocate for foster and adoptive youth, will be honored on June 15, 2026, during Raise the Future's annual Bright Futures Banquet at Coors Field. Ray, who is retiring this year from his role as CEO of Fathom Entertainment, has spent decades demonstrating an uncommon conviction: that leadership means embedding mission into the DNA of every organization you touch.

Whether at United Artists, Regal Entertainment, or Fathom, Ray made one thing non-negotiable: his teams would understand and support Raise the Future. "I'm proud to say that in every professional role I've ever held, I've made sure our teams learned about and supported Raise the Future," he reflects. "There isn't a single team member who doesn't know [about Raise]." Ray has lived by this principle, weaving it into board conversations, matching programs, volunteer days, and the culture of caring that has defined his professional career. Because Ray insisted his colleagues understand this mission, thousands of youth were able to experience what it means to be chosen by someone who cares.

Ray and his wife, Suellyn, were early contributors and supporters of Raise the Future's annual two-day Champions for Children fundraiser, which includes both the Bright Futures Banquet and the Play Fore a Cause Golf Classic, held this year on June 16 at Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colorado. Founded nearly four decades ago, this fundraising effort has raised millions to help Raise the Future find loving homes for Colorado's waiting foster youth.

We often say at Raise the Future that one caring adult can change lives. As Ray steps onto the stage on June 15 and steps into a well-earned retirement, we honor him for embodying this example and for inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.