A blog by Marissa Riopelle, VP, Banking Manager at First Wester Trust, and graduate of the inaugural NoCo Changemakers Cohort.
Philanthropy, at its core, is more than giving money—it’s about generosity with intention. It’s the act of identifying a need in the world and responding with purpose, compassion, and strategy.
NoCo Changemakers, a NextGen philanthropy program run by the NoCo Foundation, empowers the next generation of community leaders to understand their role in strengthening the community through giving.
As part of the first NoCo Changemakers cohort, I gained a deeper understanding of giving. We learned about the various types of giving, the different ways nonprofits are funded, and how trust-based philanthropy can move donors from patrons to partners with the nonprofits they choose to support. At the end of the program, we participated in collective grantmaking and worked together to select a local nonprofit to support through a grant.
What inspires me most about philanthropy is its power to create lasting change. It teaches us to listen closely to the needs of our communities, to give locally. It’s knowing the history of the nonprofits you want to work with to honor what they have accomplished; it’s also about knowing what talents beyond the check you can offer, like joining a board of directors or volunteering your time. It encourages us to align our giving with our values, so our impact is not just wide, but deep and meaningful.
Being a part of Changemakers has inspired me to be more intentional with my giving strategy. I’ve learned that by narrowing my focus to causes that truly resonate with my values, my giving becomes more impactful.
It has also made me more aware of the benefits of sharing these intentions within my different circles and using my platform to encourage others to find what resonates with them. It can be as simple as talking to a friend or family member about a cause that I support or sharing opportunities to be involved on social media. Being intentional in these interactions will provide the opportunity to deepen relationships and get others excited about the impact they can have on the next generation.
And that’s where family comes in.
Philanthropy isn’t just a personal journey—it can be a powerful family tradition where every member of the family can be involved. This is why I chose to include my 10-year-old son in our family philanthropy.
My son, husband, and I have discussed what is important to us and how we want to volunteer and donate. These conversations plant the seeds of compassion and responsibility. Imagine a dinner table where the conversation isn’t just about the day’s events, but about what we did to make someone else’s day better. This builds not only stronger communities, but stronger families—united by a shared sense of purpose and service.
So, whether we give time, talent, or treasure, let’s do so intentionally. Let’s talk about it, share it, and invite others—especially the next generation. That’s how we turn philanthropy from an act into a way of life.
As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
