Welcome to the Philanthropy Learning Lab, a collection of educational resources, events, and programs created to increase our donor’s understanding of the needs of our communities, share insights into local nonprofits providing solutions to those gaps, and highlight new and innovative models of philanthropy. We provide donors with the necessary knowledge to keep them informed and prepared to make the best decision for themselves, and for the benefit of the community.

Philanthropy Learning Lab

The NoCo Foundation continually offers new educational programs that highlight various topics. Fundholders have shared that these events and programs are impactful and beneficial to them; keeping them informed and offering ways for them to engage in addressing community funding gaps.

We continue to seek feedback and evaluate what topics and resources will be beneficial to fundholders. Upcoming Philanthropy Learning Lab sessions include:

  • March: Impact Investing 101
  • April: Importance of Nonprofit Capacity Building

Additionally, check out some of the previous learning opportunities we have hosted to learn more about other important topics.

Previous Community Issue Briefing Topics and Resources:

Speakers: Lorye McLeod, Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities; Colleen Meyer, A Little Help; and Jenna Robinson, SAINT Volunteer Transportation.
Resources: September 2024 Philanthropy Learning Lab Presentation
Recording: September 2024 Philanthropy Learning Lab Live Recording

Speakers: Lisa A. Larsen, attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Fischer, Brown, Bartlett, Larsen & Irby, P.C.
Resources: August 2024 Philanthropy Learning Lab Presentation
Recording: August 2024 Philanthropy Learning Lab Live Recording

Speakers: David Rout, Homeward Alliance; Cherri Houle, House of Neighborly Service; and Nicole Armstrong, The Matthews House.
Resources: April 2024 Community Issue Briefing Presentation; Homeward Alliance Handout; Homeward Alliance 2023 Year in Review
Recording: April 2024 Community Issue Briefing Live Recording

Speakers: Cheryl Campbell, Children’s Speech and Reading Center; Brian Schaffer, Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park; and Kristi Briles, Respite Care.
Resources: February 2024 Community Issue Briefing Presentation
Recording: February 2024 Community Issue Briefing Live Recording

Speakers: Wendy Ishii, Bas Bleu Theatre; Laura Valdez, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery; and Ryan Howard, Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado.
Resources: October 2023 Community Issue Briefing Presentation

Speakers: Laura Quattrini, Big Thompson Watershed Coalition; Hally Strevey, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed; Jim Tolstrup, High Plains Environmental Center; and Helen Goody and Hellen Castro, Trees, Water & People.
Resources: Complete September 2023 Community Issue Briefing Presentation

Speakers: Yvonne Myers, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce; Tracy Mead, Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado; Allison Seabeck, The Warehouse Business Accelerator; and Mike Freeman, Innosphere Ventures
Resources: Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce Presentation; Innosphere Ventures Presentation

Speakers: Amy Hoeven, Community Dreamer Fund; Patricia Miller, Alianza NORCO; and Arpi Miller, ISAAC of Northern Colorado
Resources: Community Dreamer Fund presentation; Alianza NORCO presentation; Video – ISAAC of Northern Colorado: How We Work; ISAAC of Northern Colorado presentation; Immigrant Fact Sheet; Video – Animated Map Shows History of Immigration to the US

Speakers: Liz Means, Early Childhood Council of Larimer County; Anne Lance, Teaching Tree; Laurie Dale Marshall, Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success; Gail Yant, Thompson Valley Preschool; and Allison Hines, Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County
Resources: PDF of the presentation; Early Childhood Council presentation; EVCIS presentation; Larimer Child Care Connect ;Larimer Child Care Fund (in partnership with United Way of Larimer County); Workforce Roadmap Report ; Larimer Thrive by Five ; 2023 Childcare Ballot Initiative

Speakers: Laurie Stolen, Larimer County Behavioral and Mental Health Services; Michael Allen, SummitStone Health Partners; Scott Smith, Alliance for Suicide Prevention; and Brian Kingsley, Poudre School District
Resources: PDF of the presentation; Poudre School District presentation; Larimer County Behavioral and Mental Health Services presentation; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Speakers: Kelly Evans, Neighbor to Neighbor; Jeff Feneis, Loveland Housing Authority; Becky Ezzell, Loveland Habitat for Humanity; and Cindy Hammond, Loveland Habitat for Humanity
Resources: PDF of the presentation; Neighbor to Neighbor video; Loveland Habitat for Humanity video

Community Champions

This program is funded, in part, by our Community Champions. Through the support of Community Champions, the NoCo Foundation brings people and resources together to spark change, channel passion into action, and explore solutions. Learn more about Community Champions.