Dear friends and colleagues,
Welcome to our online, short-format 2024 Impact Report. This streamlined overview of 2024 shares some of the exciting initiatives and impact you supported this past year. We are your community foundation; stewarding philanthropic resources and helping fundholders live out their charitable dreams and wishes. Scroll down to read more about how your investments have strengthened our community.
Yes, we look different this year! As you will read further on, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2025, and to kick off the celebration and visioning for the next 50 years, we have refreshed our logo, brand, website, and officially shortened our name. We are the same Foundation, delivering the quality service and expertise you expect and deserve, with a refreshed look.
We couldn’t do this work without you and are proud to share our 2024 financials. In a nutshell, 2024 was a strong year. The NoCo Foundation and its fundholders had the largest giving year in our 49-year history – more than $12 million was distributed to nonprofits; 80% are in Colorado. It is simply stunning that our 600 plus fundholders were, to use the metaphor, rowing in the same direction all fiscal year, and surpassed other large giving years – cheers to all of you!
Our three investment pools fared well in the overall market, with the Balanced and Growth Pools each up in excess of 13% for the year ended June 30, 2024. For a detailed review of the fiscal year, please view our on-demand Market Performance Briefing, brought to you by FNBO’s chief investment officer, Kurt Spieler, from this past fall.
The NoCo Foundation was also humbled to reach another big milestone last fiscal year- our organizational assets are now well over $200 million. To put that in perspective, in 2017, the NoCo Foundation celebrated $100 million in assets under management; in other words, it took 42 years to reach that mark, and then only seven years to celebrate the $200 million milestone. All because of community members like you who are passionate about making an impact where they live. We are so grateful for the communal generosity that is at the heart of Northern Colorado.
Every gift into the NoCo Foundation represents a dream for a better tomorrow. Every grant out is a step closer to achieving that dream for the people, places, and projects that rely on philanthropically funded programs and services. As our tagline says, Community is Our Business; everyday, the NoCo Foundation staff meets with area philanthropists, businesses, nonprofits, and government partners so that we understand the community’s challenges and opportunities. The NoCo Foundation is a confluence of ideas, impact, and solutions – by listening to our community members, convening leaders, and implementing solutions, we are shaping the future of Northern Colorado together.
Read on for highlights of this past year, such as our NoCo Changemakers program launch, the Northern Colorado Intersections Report launch, donor resources, AND, what we are planning for you in 2025.
Warmest wishes,


Kristin Todd
President and CEO


Cecil Gutierrez
Board of Trustee, Chair
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Stats
$12.2 M
in grants to nonprofits and educational institutions
1,638
grants distributed
Where Did Grants Go?
Hover over chart sections to see the percentages.
% By Location
*Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma Counties
% By Program/Category
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
ASSETS | FY24 | FY23 |
---|---|---|
Total Assets | $220,450,445 | $188,090,256 |
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS | FY24 | FY23 |
---|---|---|
Current Liabilities | $216,342 | $596,071 |
Liabilities Under Split Interest Agreement | $8,131,227 | $8,035,710 |
Assets Held for Agency Funds | $47,891,497 | $42,262,987 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | $56,239,066 | $50,894,768 |
NET ASSETS | FY24 | FY23 |
---|---|---|
Assets w/o Donor Restrictions | $71,469,631 | $71,232,396 |
Assets with Donor Restrictions | $92,741,748 | $65,963,092 |
TOTAL NET ASSETS | $164,211,379 | $137,195,488 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | $220,450,445 | $188,090,256 |
---|
1,095
gifts received
$23.1 M
total amount of gifts received
Types of Funds as a Percentage of Net Assets
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
Biggest Grantmaking Year to Date.
The NoCo Foundation and its donors created widespread impact during its biggest grantmaking year ever with $12.2 million being granted from July 2023 to June 2024. This new milestone is a celebration of philanthropy and generosity for nonprofits and charitable organizations throughout our region.
The $12.2 million was granted to 568 different nonprofits, programs, scholarships, and other organizations. Out of these 568 grantees, 27 received at least $100K over the year-long period. Overall, the grants supported dozens of types of organizations, with the top five focus areas being human services; educational institutions; religion and spiritual development; arts, culture, and humanities; and food, agriculture, and nutrition.
The NoCo Foundation’s role continues to evolve as Northern Colorado grows. Bringing philanthropists together to solve community issues through grantmaking is one way the Foundation does this.
For our fundholders, you have probably noticed that over the last several years, you have heard from the Foundation on a regular basis. Thanks to you for meeting with your fund liaison and identifying projects and programs that are aligned with your philanthropic wishes – your gifts are making a difference in our community.
Northern Colorado Intersections Report, Pursuing Regional Well-Being.
In early 2024, more than 300 people attended the launch of the inaugural Northern Colorado Intersections report. During the event, attendees heard from four regional Mayors, then a panel of sector leaders, on their reaction to the report’s findings. As a growing region, the State Demographer forecasts that from 2015-2045, our two-county region (Weld and Larimer Counties) will grow by 92%.
The Intersections Report frames this growth as intersections of complex issues that affect everyone’s quality of life. The NoCo Foundation will be releasing a follow-up summary of this information later in 2025 and offer ideas on how to align resources – philanthropic, government funding, private sector funding, and more, to scale what works. Click the button to read the online report, watch a brief video, and for other Report resources. The Intersections Report was made possible through generous sponsors and the NoCo Foundation’s Community Champions.

Northern Colorado Disaster Recovery Fund: Aiding Survivors of the Alexander Mountain and Beyond.
In an all too familiar scene this past summer, Northern Colorado experienced a fast-moving wildfire that reminded us all of the power of nature and the feelings of hopelessness as the skies darkened and ash fell in early August 2024.
In response to the Alexander Mountain Fire, the Northern Colorado Disaster Recovery Fund was established to meet the immediate and long-term relief and recovery needs of the people and places affected by an environmental or man-made disaster in Northern Colorado. Our generous community came out in force and has given generously to the Recovery Fund for this current recovery effort, and those that will likely follow.
As of this report’s publication, the NoCo Foundation is working closely with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members to understand the recovery priorities and unmet needs. Long-term recovery can take at least three to five years, as homeowners and home insurance providers review the losses and plans for the future, and watershed protection agencies measure flood and erosion risks.
Over the last twenty years, the NoCo Foundation has jumped into action when our Northern Colorado community needed philanthropic support for swift response and distribution of vital resources. Most recently, the NoCo Foundation collected and distributed nearly $800,000 in philanthropic dollars to local nonprofits responding during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and then later in 2020, collected and distributed nearly $800,000 in philanthropic dollars to support wildland restoration in the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome burn areas. We are grateful to our partners, the Bohemian Foundation and United Way of Larimer County, as both organizations have led disaster response efforts and been true community partners as our region recovers from emergencies.
New Initiatives
NoCo Changemakers
Creating Pathways to Philanthropy: Introducing the Inaugural NoCo Changemakers Cohort.
How does one become a philanthropist? What galvanizes someone to invest in community needs and gaps? The NoCo Changemakers cohort is learning those things and more as part of the NoCo Foundation’s newest initiative. Thanks to our partner, the Bohemian Foundation, we have launched a nine-month class for emerging philanthropists on how to create meaningful impact in their community. NoCo Changemakers is a NextGen Philanthropic Program designed to empower the next generation of changemakers and provide firsthand grantmaking experience.
To give participants a hands-on grantmaking experience, a portion of the program fee goes toward collective grantmaking. At the end of the program, the Changemakers will collaborate on what nonprofit to fund. Read more about the NoCo Changemakers and their monthly topics.
Growing Communities Collaborative
Launch of Growing Communities Collaborative.
As we shared earlier in the 2024 Impact Report, the Larimer and Weld County region is experiencing ongoing population growth. And who is most aware of the demographic changes than the communities’ leaders. As neutral, independent conveners, the NoCo Foundation is supporting eight growing communities that are now meeting several times a year to share lessons learned, current challenges, and opportunities for partnerships and collective solutions. The communities of Berthoud, Eaton, Evans, Johnstown, Milliken, Severance, Timnath, and Wellington are our current participants. Like we have been doing for over ten years with their neighboring larger municipalities – Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor – the NoCo Foundation is pleased to hold space for their time sensitive and critical conversations.
Acres for Impact
Acres for Impact –Transforming Agricultural Assets into Community Impact.
As Coloradoans, we are proud of our agricultural roots. For generations, our commitment to the land and livestock has not only fed the world, but it has also built strong communities. Acres for Impact provides an opportunity to consider how agricultural assets can continue this legacy of community support today and for generations to come.
Launched in 2024, the NoCo Foundation’s Acres for Impact is a unique program for those who own land or crops in Colorado or other locations. While we typically think of charitable giving in terms of what we can give from our checkbook, agricultural assets present another advantageous way to offer support. Some of the most compelling benefits of this program include:
– Personal legacy lives on and a donor’s favorite causes are supported forever.
– Landowners receive a tax deduction for the charitable portion of the gift.
– The donor retains the ability to live on the farm/or retain the income for their lifetime.
Do you know someone who has land, farm equipment, grain, or business ownership that can support the local community in perpetuity? Learn more here, and contact us for more information, info@nocofoundation.org.
Community Recognition

Neighbor to Neighbor Chosen for the 2024 Regional Impact Award
Our region contains dozens of unique communities, historic downtowns, and vibrant natural areas. However, everyone can agree that access to affordable housing, and the process of staying in affordable housing, is a critical issue across the whole region.
The NoCo Foundation’s Community Fund Committees (including community members from Berthoud, Estes Valley, Fort Collins, and Loveland) came together earlier in 2024 and identified challenges impacting our region and collaboratively chose a nonprofit whose work is focused on solving these issues through policy and systems change. The group chose Neighbor to Neighbor to receive the inaugural Regional Nonprofit Grant Award as they epitomize a nonprofit in the region that is focused on solving a key issue within our communities.
Neighbor to Neighbor strives to prevent homelessness, help families find affordable housing, and work with families to maintain homeownership. They provide housing opportunities to over 8,000 people in the region each year.
Read more about our Community Fund Committees here. They are volunteers who dedicate hours learning about community issues and then steward NoCo Foundation funds by recommending impactful gifts to improve the community.

Suzanne and Andy Peterson, Impact Maker Award Winners 2024
In every community, there are people who go out of their way to do whatever they can to make the lives of others better, to make an impact in any way they can. These impact makers often work in the shadows, avoiding the spotlight while they support different parts of their community.
During our annual donor appreciation event, the Gathering of Gratitude, we recognize one philanthropic person or family with the Impact Maker Award.
The 2024 Impact Maker Award recipients were Suzanne and Andy Peterson. The Petersons’ generosity has funded many different projects and brought them closer to the community’s emergent needs. “Our philanthropic journey has changed from making simple Christmas donations to various nonprofits, to an expanded impact strategy. For instance, we support a vital nonprofit, Energy Outreach Colorado, as they provide utility assistance to qualifying customers and help people pay their energy bills. Some of those recipients are our clients. It feels like we are making an impact closer to home,” said Suzanne. The Petersons’ impact spans from Energy Outreach Colorado to the Sky Corral Ranch to the Loveland Youth Campus. Read more about Suzanne and Andy’s philanthropic passions and journey.

Celebrating Family Businesses Who Answer the Call for Community Impact
In May 2024, the NoCo Foundation and First Western Bank honored Earl and Lisbeth Sethre, Hans and Kathy Jorgensen, and Norm and Ann Jorgensen with the Community Legacy Award. This award recognizes a Northern Colorado family business that has demonstrated philanthropy and community leadership through multiple generations.
Loveland-based Jorgensen Laboratories (Jorvet) is a maker and supplier of instruments for large and small animal medicine. The company began in the basement of Dr. Irvin Jorgensen’s home in 1965. His son-in-law, Earl Sethre, joined the business in 1974 with Dr. Jorgensen’s sons, Hans and Norm, later joining the business. Today, Jorvet employs over 100 people and is known worldwide for high-quality veterinary surgical instruments and equipment. The company is a generous partner in the community and the Jorgensen Foundation supports numerous nonprofits annually.

Recognizing Professional Advisors and Their Vital Role in the Philanthropy Journey
Who do you rely on for financial advice and planning? Likely, there is an attorney, financial planner, or tax expert in your corner. The NoCo Foundation partners with Professional Advisors regularly as their clients often are seeking philanthropy advice and options. For the last several years, during the spring Celebration of Philanthropy, the Foundation has recognized someone who through their professional service is encouraging philanthropy with the Outstanding Professional Advisor Award.
This year’s Outstanding Professional Advisor Award recognized Lisa A. Larsen. Lisa provides a broad range of estate planning services from drafting wills and trusts to assisting clients with complex and sophisticated approaches such as qualified personal residence trusts, grantor-retained annuity trusts, and more. Her practice also includes helping clients implement lifetime gifting programs, including charitable giving.
Inspired by these stories of generosity and impact? Connect with us to learn more about the NoCo Foundation and your role in shaping the future of Northern Colorado. Email us at info@nocofoundation.org or call us at 970-224-3642.
SNEAK PEEK AT 2025
Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary

Join us in celebrating the NoCo Foundation’s 50th anniversary with six months of activities, starting May 8, 2025, with a Community Celebration at the Lincoln Center, in Fort Collins. Registration opens soon.

Watch for a new opportunity to show your commitment to philanthropy, for community connection, and for shaping the future of Northern Colorado.

Olive Brown Ludlow – Our First Donor
Dive into our origin story, NoCo Foundation milestones, and enjoy dozens of features highlighting many of the founding people and initiatives that have created a stronger, more vibrant Northern Colorado, because of the community foundation model.
What to Expect Throughout the Year

More engagement with our professional advisor colleagues.

Philanthropy Socials and donor engagement opportunities throughout the year.

$50,000 match announced to support the five Community Funds—Berthoud, Estes Valley, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Sterling.

More community convening and solution-seeking for our growing region through the Intersections initiative.

More nonprofit capacity building and impact investing to strengthen this vital sector in our pursuit of well-being for the region.
Learn More About the NoCo Foundation
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