Nathen Yip Foundation Helps Children in Poverty Receive Education

Linda Yip distributes backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary school students in rural Colorado. | Photos courtesy of The Nathan Yip Foundation

To understand what makes Linda Yip the friend and role model that she is to many, one needs only review her sign in the Chinese zodiac.

Linda, co-founder of the Nathan Yip Foundation and one of the 10 Women of Distinction that Girl Scouts of Colorado will honor on Sept. 28, was born in the Lunar Year of the Pig. Don’t let the name fool you: Those born under that sign are said to be gentle beings who grace everyone around them with their generous, honest and happy hearts. They make good teachers or civil servants and have a great love for family. The description fits Linda to a T.

“Linda gives of herself completely,” says attorney Jon Olafson, immediate past president of the Nathan Yip Foundation board. “She is selfless, loving, incredibly intelligent, driven and giving. She transformed what was the darkest moment of her life, the passing of her son, into a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of those around her.”

Jimmy and Linda Yip always include a typical Night Market in the annual Chinese New Year Gala that raises money for the Nathan Yip Foundation.

Linda was 30 years old when a Colorado family she had befriend- ed while visiting Korea few to her home in Taipei, Taiwan, to persuade her to join them in Denver, where they had opened a successful restaurant.

Her 1979 move from her native Taiwan to the Mile High City was a gamble, but it paid off handsomely. It was here that she met and married Jimmy Yip, with whom she owned, operated and later sold three restaurants and, with business partners, established the first Keller Williams real estate franchise in Denver, growing it to include the entire Colorado region. The Yips and their partners also owned a Mister Steak franchise; built the Country Inn & Suites: acquired The Alamo, a commercial space in downtown Denver; and started Peliton, a business processing outsourcing company that helps small business owners improve their efficiency and profitability.

Jimmy and Linda were overjoyed with the 1983 birth of their only child, Nathan, and devastated 19 years later when he lost his life in an automobile accident.

To honor Nathan’s memory and carry on his dedication to doing everything possible to ensure that children living in poverty in distant parts of the world received the best possible education, they established the Nathan Yip Foundation. The early years were spent raising money to build schools, dormitories, cafeterias and orphanages in poverty-stricken areas that Nathan had visited in Mexico, China, Rwanda and Nairobi. In 2016, the foundation opted to focus exclusively on supporting schools in rural areas of Colorado.

“Seeing all the children that we’ve helped is our reward,” Linda said. “It’s the reward, too, for all of our supporters, not just me and Jimmy, because we’re all family, and we know Nathan is smiling down on us.”

We caught up with Linda Yip to learn more about what inspires and drives her.

How do people describe you?
Hmmm, I don’t know. Maybe friendly, fun, lots of energy, hard-working, crazy—but crazy in a good way.

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who was warm and passionate and did a good job helping kids.

Who do you most admire and why?
My (late) father because he was very honest, had a big heart and liked to help others. “What I say is what I mean” is what I learned from him.

What is a fun fact about yourself that others might find surprising?
That I enjoy dancing. A lot. When I was in high school, I’d skip homework to go dancing. Now, moving my body (on the dance floor) is the only opportunity I have for exercise.

What is the one thing you cannot live without?
Friendship.

What was your last major purchase?
I don’t buy things anymore … I’m trying to get rid of stuff I no longer need. Whatever I spend now is for something to help kids.

What is the last book you read?
“The Beautiful No” by Sheri Salata. But I haven’t finished it yet; right now, I’m just flipping through the pages.

What do you like most about living in Colorado?
The people, the diversity and the weather. Sometimes you can have all four seasons in one day. And I found the best husband in Colorado!

When it comes to relaxation, nothing beats …
Playing mahjong. You don’t think of anything except wanting to win.

What is your favorite Denver-area restaurant and is there a dish you always order?
Hong Kong Station in Centennial. I always get the fish and tofu hot pot.

Are you involved with any other local nonprofit organizations?
Lotus Network, Welcome to Colorado and the International Leadership Foundation.

How has your benevolence been recognized?
Most recently, I was selected as one of the 2023 Women of Distinction by Girl Scouts of Colorado. Gov. Jarad Polis appointed me to the America 250-Colorado 150 Commission which works with History Colorado to develop programs and plan for the 2026 official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood.

THE DETAILS

Age: 75
Children: One, our son, Nathan, who died in an automobile accident when he was 19
Job title: Co-founder, Nathan Yip Foundation
Education: Degree in political science from the Cultural College of Taiwan. Also studied hotel management and hospitality at Metropolitan State University of Denver
Website: nathanyipfoundation.org

Joanne Davidson had the pleasure of nominating Linda Yip for a Girl Scout Woman of Distinction award and was overjoyed when the committee selected her.