By Kristin Todd, President & CEO, NoCo Foundation

If you’ve spent any time in Northern Colorado, you’ve likely witnessed generosity at work—not always in big, splashy ways, but in the quiet acts that make our region such a special place to call home.

Maybe you’ve caught a show at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, watched a performance at the Rialto Theater in Loveland, or walked past Heritage Plaza in Sterling. Those spaces—and so many others—exist because of people who care deeply about this region and believe in giving back.

Fifty Years of Generosity

When I think about the NoCo Foundation’s 50-year journey, I’m struck by how much this community has accomplished together. What began in 1975 as the Fort Collins Foundation has grown into a truly regional organization—one that connects donors, partners, and communities from the Front Range to the eastern plains.

And, during this special time of year, National Community Foundation Week (November 12-18), we can’t help but pause and celebrate our region’s generosity and the state of our community.

Along the way, thousands of people have stepped forward to make good things happen. Together, we’ve distributed more than $150 million in grants—not just as dollars, but as hope, opportunity, and care for our neighbors.

Earlier this year, we embraced our new name and tagline—the NoCo Foundation, Community is our Business—and reaffirmed what’s always been true: generosity here knows no boundaries and we exist to strengthen the community.

Celebrating Our Story—and the People Behind It

This year’s 50th anniversary celebration has been a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how many people helped get us here. In May, we gathered to honor our past through music, storytelling, and a living timeline that brought decades of community impact to life.

It was moving to see generations of leaders, donors, and everyday residents come together—all with the same goal that’s guided us since day one: to leave Northern Colorado better than we found it.

Looking Ahead: Building the Next 50 Years

As we look to the future, I’m filled with both gratitude and excitement. Today, we partner with more than 600 donors who are shaping what comes next—from addressing complex issues like housing and water, to mentoring the next generation of changemakers.

Our work has always been about listening and learning—finding where generosity and need intersect—and then helping people turn their care into action.

If you’re wondering how to get involved, I’d love to invite you to join the NoCo Pledge. It’s a simple way to reflect on what generosity means to you—and to be part of something bigger than any one of us.

Thank You for 50 Years of Trust and Partnership

This year’s 50th anniversary celebration reminded me that our greatest strength is, and always has been, our people. Their vision and determination shaped the foundation we’re building upon today. I’m humbled by what Northern Colorado has built together. The NoCo Foundation’s story isn’t about one organization—it’s about thousands of caring, creative, steadfast people who choose to invest in their community.

To each of you who has given, volunteered, partnered, or dreamed alongside us—thank you. We truly stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

And as we begin our next chapter, one thing is clear: the community vision and generosity that shaped our past will keep guiding us forward.