Are you looking to develop your skills and impact as a philanthropist and community leader? NoCo Changemakers helps next generation leaders like you build new bridges and connect to other donors, foundations, nonprofits, corporations, and partners — preparing you to carry on a philanthropic legacy or to create your own.

What You’ll Gain

  • Put your personal philanthropy into action: Gain the skills, resources, and knowledge to create and begin carrying out your philanthropic legacy.
  • A powerful network: Connect with like-minded peers, donors, foundations, nonprofits and community leaders for meaningful collaboration
  • Make positive change: Learn about the philanthropic vehicles, trends, and community needs in Northern Colorado to maximize your impact.
  • Learn by doing: Share in a collective grantmaking program to make positive impact in your community.

The Journey

Join a cohort of approximately 20 participants, ages 25 to 50, on an eight-session odyssey, spanning September to May. Through interactive half-day sessions and a Jeffersonian-style dinner with community leaders, you will develop your skills as a next generation philanthropist by exploring timely topics, such as:

  • The philanthropic landscape and local nonprofit ecosystem.
  • Grantmaking strategies, proposal evaluation, and industry trends.
  • Nonprofit operations, governance, and sustainability.
  • Advocacy, policy influence, and driving systemic change.
  • Innovative philanthropic tools like DAFs, foundations, and impact investing.
  • Insights from renowned local and national grantmakers.
  • Collaborative grantmaking and collective decision-making.
  • Your own personal philanthropic legacy.

Classes begin in Fall each year.

About The Program

Program Fee: $1,000 including a tax-deductible $600 donation to fund collective grantmaking.

  • Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
  • Admission Decision: August 1, 2025
  • Class Begins: Thursday, September 4, 2025

From 9 a.m. to noon, first Thursday of every month beginning September 4, 2025.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Partners

NoCo Changemaker Alumni

Curtis Carlson
Megan Hiltner
Jeramie Holt
Haley Hummel
Reed Johnson
Blake McBartlett
Jack McCool
Ricardo Perez
Jessica Plummer
Lauren Rhoades
Marissa Riopelle
Colby Ripsam
Paul Schnaitter
Nathan Scott

Apply Today

Apply by June 30!
Begin your transformative journey today. Create lasting positive change in Northern Colorado and beyond. For more information, contact James Hamilton, james@nocofoundation.org or (970)488-1979.