In this Issue:
Letter from Our President | From Property to Possibility: How Complex Assets Can Become Community Good | Introducing the Newest NoCo Foundation Board of Trustees Members | Poudre Libraries to Sell Council Tree Library Property to the NoCo Foundation | Catch Up on the NoCo Voices Podcast | Introducing the First Housing Literate Leader Cohort
Dear Friends,
Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are built by people who choose to invest their time, talents, resources, and leadership in the places they call home.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll see that commitment in many forms. You’ll meet donors who found creative ways to turn assets into lasting community impact, welcome new leaders joining our Board of Trustees, and learn about the first Housing Literate Leaders cohort working to better understand one of our region’s most complex challenges. You’ll also find stories and conversations that highlight how communities across Northern and Eastern Colorado are coming together to address issues, strengthen connections, and create opportunities for the future.
These efforts may look different, but they share a common goal: building a stronger, more resilient region for generations to come. Thank you for being part of that work.
With gratitude,
Kristin Todd
President & CEO
From Property to Possibility: How Complex Assets Can Become Community Good
Left to right: Laura Armstrong, Binkley, and Nanci Garnand
Philanthropy isn’t defined by the size of a bank account. It’s defined by a desire to invest in the people and places we care about.
While many people start their donor advised funds (DAFs) at the NoCo Foundation with cash, a wide range of assets can also be used to support charitable giving. Whether you have bushels of corn, shopping centers, cell phone tower easements, or gold coin collections (all real examples), the NoCo Foundation can help you turn those complex assets into community impact. Another example is rental properties.
Recently, the NoCo Foundation was gifted two different rental properties by donors who wanted to make an impact in the community. While the type of asset is the same in these two instances, the stories and the impact they will create are entirely unique.
Nanci Garnand, a real estate agent with multiple rental properties, decided to sell one of her Fort Collins properties because of the regulations being put in place in Fort Collins for landlords.
As Nanci started to think about selling her Fort Collins property, another NoCo Foundation donor suggested she explore donating the property through the Foundation.
Nanci knew she wanted the majority of the gift to go to the Heart-J Center at Sylvan Dale Ranch, a nonprofit in Loveland that offers land-based experiential learning for mental health, leadership, resilience, and stewardship. With the remainder of the proceeds, she started her own fund at the NoCo Foundation to support future impact.
This allowed Nanci to give an impactful gift to the Loveland nonprofit while also establishing a fund that can continue creating impact for years to come.
“Nanci Garnand’s extraordinary gift came at a pivotal moment for the Heart-J Center. Following the Alexander Mountain Fire and during a period of organizational transition, her investment has allowed us to shift from simply recovering to actively building for the future,” said Silas Binkley, Executive Director, Director of Programs and Operations at Heart-J Center.
To Nanci, making the grant to the Heart- J Center just made sense. As someone who grew up spending time outdoors and has a love for nature, she sees the value in what they are doing for kids, veterans, and the general community.
For Mary and Guy Arnesen, an end-of-year correspondence from the NoCo Foundation about assets that can be used to grow funds sparked the idea of using their rental property to grow their existing DAF.
The decision really came out of them asking, “when is enough, enough?” After years of managing multiple rental properties and thinking about how to simplify their finances while planning for the future, Mary and Guy Arnesen decided it was time for a change. After about a year of conversation, the Arnesens donated a rental property to the NoCo Foundation, the Foundation sold it, and proceeds were deposited directly into their fund.
The Arnesen family
For now, the fund will allow Mary and Guy the opportunity to make a bigger impact for the organizations and causes near and dear to their heart. In the future, the donation will allow their adult children to become involved in the family’s philanthropy and carry on their family’s generous legacy. The Arnesens have a handful of nonprofits they grant to regularly, but they have a different vision in mind for their kids.
“I am anxious to see what they choose to give it to,” said Mary Arnsen. “We know what we are passionate about. I think it’s going to look completely different for the next generation. This is just another opportunity for us to see who they are.”
For both Nanci and the Arnesens, the tax benefits of donating rental properties were a significant factor in their decision to give.
“If you have a heart for giving, if you have a fund and you’ve got rentals, and you don’t want to give it all to taxes, then you’ve got to know about this,” said Mary. “You’ve got to realize this is an option.”
Meaningful philanthropy doesn’t always start with a check. Gifts of complex assets can create significant community impact while helping donors achieve their financial and charitable goals. The NoCo Foundation team can help you evaluate your options and determine the best path forward.
“If you have an asset you want to donate, don’t be afraid to ask if it can be done or not,” said Nanci. “Because you might be surprised.”
Introducing the Newest NoCo Foundation Board of Trustees Members
We are excited to welcome three new board members to the NoCo Foundation!
Brett Anderson, Paul Harter, and Beth Walker, Ph.D., officially joined our board at the beginning of July. Each brings valuable experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to strengthening our region. We look forward to the perspectives they will share and the impact we will create together in communities across Northern and Eastern Colorado.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Jim Hendrix and Marla Trumper as they conclude their board service. Their leadership and dedication have left a lasting mark on the Foundation, and we are grateful for all they have contributed to our mission and region.
Brett Anderson
Paul Harter
Beth Walker, Ph.D.
Poudre Libraries to Sell Council Tree Library Property to the NoCo Foundation
Catch Up on the NoCo Voices Podcast
Over the last few months, we have released three more episodes of our podcast, NoCo Voices. These episodes cover some of the biggest challenges we face as a region, including housing and disaster recovery. We also share a powerful nonprofit story about community and connection. Catch up on the latest episodes now:
- Cracking the Housing Puzzle: Regional Solutions in Action – Ann Hutchison and Brooke Cunningham explore how cross-sector collaboration, new funding tools, and regional thinking are shaping the future of housing across Larimer and Weld Counties.
- More Than a Meal: Connection, Community, and the Power of Intersections – Jeffrey Pomranka, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Loveland Berthoud, shares how their work goes far beyond delivering meals.
- When Disaster Strikes: Preparedness, Recovery, and the Long Road Forward – Lori Hodges, Director of the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management, and Hally Strevey, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, discuss disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience in Northern Colorado.
Listen to these episodes for more insight into how community leaders are working on some of our biggest issues and be sure to check out our newest episode on August 6, which will focus on the newly released Northeast Colorado Intersections Report.
Find Us On Other Podcasts
Kristin Todd, President and CEO of the NoCo Foundation, was recently featured on the Designing Tomorrow podcast. In the episode, she shares about the NoCo Foundation’s work, our role as a neutral convener in the region, why nonprofits need to be viewed as businesses with social impact, and more! Be sure to check out the episode.
Introducing the First Housing Literate Leader Cohort
In partnership with the CSU Everitt Real Estate Center, we are thrilled to announce the first cohort of Housing Literate Leaders!
This group of community-minded leaders will engage in a nine-month program, meeting once a month to take a deep dive into the complexity of the housing issue. Topics will range from affordability to development barriers to policy impacts and much more.
Please join us in congratulating the cohort:
- Jen Bray – Homeowner Services Coordinator, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity
- Tatum Cochran – General Manager, Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
- Tommi Cox – President, United Neighbors/Vecinos Unidos Board of Directors
- Adam Crowe – Economic Development Manager, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development
- David Eisenbraun – Planning Director, Weld County
- Rebecca Everette – Community Development Director, Larimer County
- Gary Floyd – Senior Project Manager, Lamp Rynearson
- Logan Graves – Principal Planner, Town of Timnath
- Cayley Griffin – Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Impact Development Fund
- Nick Haws – Principal, EPS Group
- Laura Light-Kovacs – City Councilor, City of Loveland
- Sandra Mezzetti – Senior Planner, Town of Windsor
- Ryan Mick – President, The Mosaic Companies
- Erik Mikysa – Founder, Sashcara Homes and Fort Collins Building Science and Beer
- Jared Olson – Senior Population Epidemiologist, Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
- Bob Overbeck – Assessor, Larimer County Assessor
- Shirley Peel – Commissioner, Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission
- Lainie Peltz - Town Board Member, Town of Windsor
- Shani Porter – Planning Director, Town of Severance
- Melanie Potyondy – City Councilmember, City of Fort Collins
- Tasha Stewart – Water Efficiency Coordinator, City of Loveland Utilities
- Sarah Sullivan – Community Bank President, ANB Bank
- Jennifer Swanty – City Councilor, City of Loveland
- Serena Thomas – Programs Director, Homeward Alliance
- John Todd – Retired Petroleum Geologist & Real Estate Professional
Stay Informed. Stay Connected.
We have two additional topic-specific newsletters that you can subscribe to:
- The Resourceful Advisor, with content catered toward professional advisors
- NoCo Housing Update, which shares news and updates on affordable housing and our work in this space.
If you would like to receive either of these newsletters, please sign up through the link below and select which newsletters you would like to receive.
