Newsletter

Hello friends,

As we look to the future, it is inspiring to think about the next generation—of donors, board members and community leaders, the next generation of people we call neighbors who will continue to make this region strong.

At the NoCo Foundation, we believe philanthropy is at its best when it is forward-looking—when it empowers new voices, sparks fresh ideas, and builds bridges across generations. This spirit of next-generation philanthropy is at the heart of our work, from encouraging family philanthropy to hosting the NoCo Changemakers cohort, a nextgen philanthropy program.

And while NoCo Changemakers shines a spotlight on the next generation of leaders, it is just one example of how the spirit of innovation is taking root across our entire community.

Every day, we see donors, nonprofits, and community partners leaning into innovation and compassion. Whether it’s rethinking how we give, amplifying underrepresented voices, or building lasting partnerships, we are all part of a movement that ensures philanthropy stays vibrant, inclusive, and impactful for the next 50 years.

Thank you for walking alongside us. Together, we are writing the next chapter of community philanthropy—one that honors our past while embracing the possibilities of the future.

With gratitude,

Kristin Todd
President & CEO

Throughout this program, participants will learn about a variety of topics, including:

• 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.

After a successful first cohort, we are excited to continue this program to help young leaders learn more about philanthropy and the role they can play in the community.

You can learn more about the NoCo Changemakers program and be ready to apply for the next cohort in the spring of 2026.

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.”

In honor of the NoCo Foundation’s 50^th Anniversary, we created a commemorative publication to celebrate the past and look to the future. This special publication includes impact stories, historic NoCo Foundation photos, a timeline of key milestones, sponsor spotlights, and more.

This was our special way to collect and capture all the Foundation’s history over the past half-century, highlight the incredible people and organizations that have partnered with us along the way, and the incredible impact we have all had on our communities.

Check out the publication online or stop by our office to pick up a copy.

In August, the NoCo Foundation hosted a virtual Spark Donor Education Series session focused on planned and charitable giving. Guest speaker, Lisa Larsen, an estate planning attorney with Fischer, Brown, Bartlett, Larsen & Irby, P.C., shared practical guidance on how planned gifts can create a lasting impact.

This session highlighted the importance of having a will, shared inspiring stories of how individuals included charitable giving in their estate plans, how the NoCo Foundation can support you and your professional advisors in building a meaningful giving plan, and more.

You can check out the recording and presentation slides now. Reach out to NoCo Foundation with any questions you may have about how we can support your giving goals.

In the weeks following the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires in fall 2020 and the Alexander Mountain fire in 2024, the Larimer County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) convened nonprofit, government, and philanthropic partners to form the Larimer County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG).

Backed by dozens of nonprofits and faith-based organizations—and supported by generous donors and engaged local governments—the LTRG dove into action immediately following each disaster to assess needs and set recovery priorities.

We have compiled the data and created a report to highlight LTRG funding for each of the fires.

Every November, National Philanthropy Day shines a spotlight on the generosity and commitment that make our communities stronger. It is a celebration of individuals and organizations that strengthen our communities through generosity, leadership, and service.

We were thrilled to nominate The Group for the Outstanding Large Business Award this year—and even more excited to share that they won! The Group continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership in giving, uplifting others, and investing in Northern Colorado through GroupGives.

The GroupGives Fund, housed at the NoCo Foundation, serves as the charitable arm of The Group Real Estate and was established with a focus on helping people get into and stay in their homes through educational programs, home maintenance and improvement, and financial assistance. Recently, GroupGives celebrated the incredible milestone of granting more than $1 million to more than 60 nonprofit organizations and projects.

This recognition is a testament to the powerful role businesses can play in building thriving communities. Join us in congratulating The Group for this exciting recognition.

The BizWest Women of Distinction awards honor Northern Colorado women for their achievements in business, philanthropy, and government organizations.

This year, the NoCo Foundation was honored to nominate Paula Edwards for the Leading Lady award, a lifetime achievement award given for pioneering ground-breaking programs. We are thrilled to share that Paula was selected as the winner!

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Leading Lady Women of Distinction recognition,” said Paula. “It has been a privilege to work across sectors as a community volunteer and community builder for more than 40 years. I have been motivated by gratitude and a desire to appreciate and sustain the incredible resources and opportunities that are available to us. I believe that community is more than a place, or a connected group of people—community is a value to be protected and enriched.”

A longtime resident of Northern Colorado, Paula has made a career out of volunteerism with a unique focus on community building and inspiring the philanthropy of others. Her 40-year tenure as a community volunteer has included serving on boards, guiding committees, establishing programs, and so much more.

As an original member of the Give Next Advisory Council, Paula helped launch this Northern Colorado youth grantmaking program. Since its start in 2012, more than 4,700 students have participated in Give Next, learning about philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, community issues, and the importance of their voice in strengthening the community. The program is managed by Bohemian Foundation with support from the NoCo Foundation and is funded by local community donors. Give Next students have granted nearly $1,375,000 to 175 nonprofit organizations.

Paula is also a founding member of WomenGive, a program of United Way of Larimer County, that provides support and financial assistance through childcare scholarships to single parents pursuing higher education. Since its inception in 2006, the WomenGive program has awarded 889 childcare scholarships for 414 children, resulting in 135 single parents graduating and pursuing higher-wage careers. WomenGive creates an opportunity for women (primarily) to come together to help other women.

“Perhaps the most important difference that my leadership and philanthropy may have made is that it has demonstrated to other women that they can make a difference. They don’t need to be experts or wealthy to have influence,” said Paula.

Paula’s legacy reminds us that one person’s passion for giving can inspire a ripple of change for generations to come. Join us in congratulating Paula on this well-deserved honor.

As communities across northern Colorado continue to grow, a regional approach to collaboration can ease the inevitable growing pains while creating new opportunities for the region as a whole.

The NoCo Foundation is a champion of regionalism in northern Colorado. We believe that we are better together when managing the challenges and opportunities that come with growth.

Check out this article from the Greeley Tribune, which highlights growth in the region and the NoCo Foundation’s work in convening on the issue.