Newsletter

Fifty Years of Generosity: Reflecting on Our Golden Year

If you’ve spent time in Northern Colorado, you’ve seen generosity in action—not always in the headlines, but in the places and people that make this region home.

When was the last time you visited the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins or the Rialto Theater in Loveland? Have you driven by the new Heritage Plaza in Sterling?

Thanks to generous community members, these—and many other projects and nonprofit services—are sprinkled throughout our region. The NoCo Foundation’s donors have played a powerful role in shaping Northern Colorado and raising the quality of life for all who call it home.

50 Years of Philanthropy in Action

Since 1975, the NoCo Foundation has supported critical community needs and inspired impact that will last long after our lifetimes.

Together, the NoCo Foundation and its donors have distributed more than $150 million into the community through 20,000 individual nonprofit grants.

Celebrating a Legacy of Giving

This year, we marked our 50th anniversary by honoring our heritage and the community leaders who championed generosity.

We kicked off the celebration in May with a living timeline, spoken word, music, and visual storytelling—all showcasing the ripple effect that happens when hundreds of people invest in their community.

We remain in awe of those early leaders and “everyday” people whose generosity set Northern Colorado up for success half a century ago.

Looking Ahead: The Next 50 Years

Today, the NoCo Foundation partners with more than 600 donors to invest philanthropic funds transparently and strategically.

We make more good things possible by:

• Listening and learning about community needs and innovations.
• Leading in complex areas like affordable housing and water as a regional convener.
• Preparing the next generation of changemakers through education and engagement.

Will you join us? The NoCo Pledge is a great way to start. Take the Pledge today and share your reasons you care about the future of Northern Colorado. Help build a stronger, more connected community through generosity and kindness.

Our Evolving Story

Over five decades, our reach has grown—from the Fort Collins Foundation (1975) to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado (1999), and now the NoCo Foundation (2024).

Today, we proudly serve communities across Larimer, Weld, and Northeast Colorado, continuing to connect generosity with impact.

Thank You

To everyone who has supported philanthropy in Northern Colorado over the past 50 years—thank you.

Your generosity, expertise, and partnership made this milestone possible.

We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.

Here’s to the next fifty years of generosity, innovation, and community—together!

The first log cabin built on the Osborn family property.

When William B. Osborn arrived in Colorado during the 1861 gold rush, he soon settled in Loveland and built a home on the banks of the Big Thompson River. His family followed from Indiana, quickly engaging in the emerging community. In addition to being the first county judge, he also served as a county commissioner, treasurer, and assessor. He also helped establish Loveland’s First Methodist Church and school.

“He had a strong will and a desire to make this little community thrive and grow,” said Sue Osborn, great-great-granddaughter of William Osborn, a commitment the family would pass down through generations.

The next generations of William Osborn’s family remained on the property, building new homes and structures as their families grew. One of Osborn’s great-granddaughters, Louise Osborn Gardels, had the idea of preserving the family’s history. Her grandfather, Milo Osborn, built the brick house on East First Street in Loveland, which was called Timberlane and would later become the Timberlane Farm Museum in 2006.

After years of maintaining the museum, the board of directors—many of them Osborn family members—chose to sell the property. The proceeds needed to support a philanthropic purpose, leading the family to transfer their private foundation into a donor advised fund (DAF) at the NoCo Foundation.

“It was the vehicle that could handle the funds, and the five of us all have different lives and time limitations,” said Sue Osborn. “Keeping the funds at the Foundation allowed us to decide where the funds go while making the process smoother.”

Through their DAF, the Osborn family supports causes rooted in Loveland. One project they hope to fund is the restoration of the Pulliam Community Building.

“We were thinking, the community building is something that would serve the entire city and county,” said Sue. “This would be something that the entire city could benefit from.”

For seven generations, the Osborn family has invested in Loveland’s well-being. They hope future generations continue their tradition of service and strengthen the community their ancestor helped build.

“We’ve always been loyal to the county, the state, and to Loveland,” Sue said. “It’s who we are, and we want to carry on the mission of the family that settled here.”

Contact us if you’d like to learn more about converting a private family foundation to a donor advised fund.

Every December, Coloradans come together for Colorado Gives Day, a statewide celebration of generosity that fuels the work of thousands of nonprofits. As Colorado Gives Day Regional Champion for Larimer County and Eastern Colorado, the NoCo Foundation is honored to help elevate the organizations that strengthen our communities every day.

Colorado Gives Day is one of the largest giving events in the nation, offering donors an opportunity to support causes they care about while helping nonprofits access additional incentive funding. When you schedule your gift by December 9, you boost participating organizations’ visibility and help them end the year with the resources they need to serve families, expand programs, and address emerging community needs.

A vital partner in making Colorado Gives Day successful is FirstBank, whose long-standing commitment to philanthropy has strengthened nonprofit work across the state and within Northern Colorado.

“FirstBank is proud to be the founding corporate partner of Colorado Gives Day. We’re committed to empowering local nonprofits to further their missions and enrich the lives of those around us,” said Nicole Staudinger, FirstBank Northern Colorado Market President. “FirstBank contributes to the $1 million incentive fund to enhance giving, provides $100,000 in nonprofit prizes, and works to ensure that the message of Colorado Gives Day reaches as many people as possible.”

Visit NoCoGives.org or EasternColoradoGives.org to discover participating nonprofits serving Larimer County and Eastern Colorado, and schedule your Colorado Gives Day gift.

Together, we can inspire generosity, strengthen local organizations, and build a brighter future for communities across our region. Let’s make this Colorado Gives Day the most impactful yet!

On November 5, we hosted our annual Nonprofit Celebration and gathered with our regional nonprofit sector to celebrate the vital role they play in our community.

At a time when nonprofits face rising demand and increasingly complex challenges, their role has never been more essential. They continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose, often serving as the first to respond and the last to stop working on behalf of those they support, making our community stronger.

Celebrating together allowed us to recognize not only the impact nonprofits have in our community, but also the people and relationships that make this work possible. We were grateful to stand alongside so many committed organizations and reaffirm our shared belief that a strong nonprofit sector strengthens the entire community.

Last month, the NoCo Foundation team spent a volunteer day with A Little Help, assisting four older adults with yard work and fall cleanup. We also had the chance to connect with each of them and hear their stories.

We’re grateful for the experience and excited to highlight the impact A Little Help has in our community.

Read our Q&A with Colleen Meyer, Northern Colorado Director, to learn more about their work.

Can you give a brief background of A Little Help?

A Little Help began in 2005 as Washington Park Cares, when Denver neighbors united to support older adults aging at home. Inspired by the national Village Movement, the organization built a model that connects neighbors of all ages to promote independence and community support.

With backing from the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities and the Doyle and Luvesta Jones Fund, A Little Help expanded to Northern Colorado in 2017. Today, it serves older adults in Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, and the western edge of Weld County.

Volunteers provide essential assistance—transportation, yard work, friendly visits, tech help, and more—supporting more than 3,000 older adults statewide with over 8,000 services each year.

What do you see as the biggest impact on the lives of older adults who participate?

The biggest impact we see is simple but profound: older adults feel supported, connected, and valued. Our mission comes alive when neighbors and volunteers come together to help older adults thrive at home. Beyond practical tasks, participants gain a renewed sense of belonging. It’s more than rides or yard work—it’s human connection, steady kindness, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel supported and celebrated at every stage of life.

During our time volunteering, you mentioned that the connection made with the older adults was one of the most important pieces. Can you share a story that captures how those relationships make a difference?

For years, A Little Help volunteer Pam has been a steady, caring presence for Carol, one of our older adult members. What began as occasional rides to appointments grew into a true friendship built on trust, laughter, and consistent support.

This summer, that friendship took on a whole new meaning.

Carol’s son was getting married back east, and she wanted to feel confident on his big day. Shopping for a dress felt overwhelming, so Pam stepped in with her usual patience and encouragement. They began by browsing online until they landed on the dress. It was elegant, flattering, and—according to the website—in stock at a nearby department store.

But when Pam and Carol arrived at the store, the dress was nowhere to be found.

They spent hours trying alternatives, but nothing felt right. Seeing Carol’s disappointment, Pam refused to give up. She searched the store hanger by hanger until she found the dress misplaced in the wrong section. When Carol tried it on, she knew instantly—it was the one.

Weeks later, Carol attended her son’s wedding looking radiant, confident, and full of gratitude. “I couldn’t go try on dresses without Pam’s help,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her.”

Anything else you would like to share? 

Research shows that only about 1% of philanthropic giving supports older adult causes—an alarming gap as our aging population grows. We all play a role in helping older adults thrive in the communities they love, whether by volunteering or giving. Someone we care about—a parent, grandparent, relative, or neighbor—may one day need a little help.

You can find more information about A Little Help at alittlehelp.org or by contacting Northern Colorado Director, Colleen Meyer at colleen@alittlehelp.org.

On November 13, the NoCo Foundation hosted our annual Gathering of Gratitude to celebrate our generous donors and volunteers. This special event, which also happened during National Community Foundation Week, was the bookend celebration of our 50^th anniversary.

At the NoCo Foundation, we believe philanthropy is about more than giving. It’s about creating lasting impact. Each year, we recognize a fundholder who exemplifies this spirit through extraordinary engagement and generosity and recognize them with the Impact Maker Award.

This year’s award went to a family whose leadership and compassion have touched countless lives across Northern Colorado, the Newendorp family. Their commitment to community is inspiring, and their partnership with organizations like Crossroads Assistance Ministry has created transformational change.

Our team had a wonderful time hosting such an amazing group of people for this year’s event. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate community generosity and impact.

In October, the NoCo Foundation hosted a Spark Donor Education Series session focused on trust-based philanthropy and capacity building. This Spark session featured a keynote speaker and a panel of nonprofit leaders. The keynote speaker was Sebastian Africano, executive director of Trees, Water, & People. The panel included Sebastian Africano; Elizabeth Barber, senior program officer-capacity building at The Weld Trust; and Kim Graves, development manager at Museum of Art Fort Collins.

This session focused on how trust-based philanthropy and capacity-building investments can help nonprofits thrive and explored what it means to support the infrastructure behind the mission—and why it matters now more than ever.

The end of the year means it’s giving season! This is the perfect time to make last-minute contributions to nonprofits or causes you support, but there are some dates and deadlines you need to keep in mind.

• Grant Recommendations: Submit by Friday, December 12
• Cash or Check Gifts: Postmarked or delivered by December 31
• Publicly Traded Stock Transfers: Instructions to brokerage firm by December 12
• Wire Transfers: Instructions to financial institution by December 29
• Privately Held Securities: Initiate as early as possible—contact us to confirm timeline

Due to increased grantmaking activity and holiday closures, requests received in late November and December may take longer than the standard 7–10 business days. Acting early ensures your gifts and grants are processed on time.

As the year comes to a close, consider how your giving can go even further. By donating appreciated stock or contributing to a donor advised fund, you can make a meaningful difference for the causes you care about—all while maximizing the impact of your generosity.

Your gift today helps strengthen our community for tomorrow.

Learn more about how you can give smarter and do more good: https://nocofoundation.org/donors/

As part of our 50^th anniversary, we launched the NoCo Pledge. The NoCo Pledge campaign invited community members to take a simple but meaningful step toward strengthening Northern Colorado’s future. By signing the pledge, individuals committed to supporting their neighbors, championing local nonprofits, and helping ensure our region continues to thrive.

The Pledge offered simple ways for people to support their community—from volunteering and giving, to advocating for community needs and supporting local initiatives. Hundreds of people, families, and organizations joined us in taking the Pledge and committing to a brighter future for Northern Colorado.

Thank you to everyone who has already taken the Pledge, you are what helps make this community great. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to join the movement and take the Pledge today.