For Good. For Ever.

Destination Downtown Loveland

2008-11-18T09:19:00.006-07:00

Last week's Destination Downtown Loveland event attended by about 200 people provided evidence of a desire to see Downtown Loveland progress at a more rapid pace.

We came away with a better sense of how a downtown establishes an important brand for the entire community and shapes the community's overall image in a way that impacts economic development, the arts and other quality of life issues.

I was struck by the fact that all six members of the panel referred to the importance of public-sector leadership in laying the groundwork that attracts private investment. Bill Hudnut, the former four-term mayor of Indianapolis, said that city leadership needs to steer the boat, and the private sector needs to row.

But the advantages of a vibrant downtown are not so easily calculated, and not so obvious to the general public. Simply looking at the prospects for increased sales tax revenue does not go deep enough to fully appreciate the long-term benefits of a healthy downtown. And while most of us came away from last week's event feeling a little better educated on the subject, I wonder if additional information is still needed? I wonder if a clearer vision and a more specific plan for Downtown Loveland is required? And, I wonder if the community at large is sufficiently convinced of Downtown's importance?

When Bill Hudnut developed a vision for the revitalization of Downtown Indianapolis, it's clear from the stories he shared that he was indeed leading the way ― not responding to a public outcry for a better downtown. Neither was there a popular demand to see Loveland host a world-class sculpture show when that vision was developed.

Visionary thinking rarely bubbles to the top of popular demand, but most people recognize it when they see it and respond accordingly. Ultimately, leadership requires followers if progress is to be made. Some progress is being made, and clearly Downtown is not without some level of vision and support. Indeed the City appears to be on the verge of putting more money into Downtown than ever. The question is simply how far do we want to go, and how fast? While downtowns are always a work in progress, it is obvious that places like Downtown Boulder, Downtown Arvada, LoDo and Old Town have "arrived." Is this something we will be able to say about Downtown Loveland in the years to come?

The Loveland Downtown Team (a group of Council members, City staff, business owners and interested citizens) is perhaps the most obvious group from which an even more compelling vision for Downtown Loveland could emerge. But, elevating the vision for Downtown is a goal to which all of us can contribute. Destination Downtown Loveland was just one effort to make that vision visible. Let's hope there are many more such efforts to come.

Special thanks to all those who submitted questions to the forum participants at the Nov. 13 event. While we are not able to include all of the questions here, we hope that the following thoughts will encourage an online conversation. Please post your comments on one or more of these questions.

Would redevelopment of downtown in our current economic challenge be the tonic to stimulate our local economy and position us for prosperity in the near future? Is the timing right for this?
Describe the increased role government must play in encouraging development given the frozen credit markets and cost of new construction.
How important is an independent entity such as a downtown development authority?
How do we get off dead-center, stop doing studies and implement more?
What is a typical redevelopment financial partnership between the public and private sectors?
Should we bond to accomplish our goals financially?
What will be the attraction either in products or venues for which residents will want to come to downtown, which is not already offered within the city?
Years ago, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce moved out of downtown after working on getting the Civic Center passed downtown. They are now out by I-25. Does the Chamber of Commerce usually have a role in downtown redevelopment? How could it be involved?
What is Loveland doing to bring light rail, or other transport, to us and through us?
How do the downtown Loveland groups gain the support, interest and commitment of our City Council?
How can downtown development (and redevelopment) be put on equal financial footing with large mall developments?
What is the overall assessment of the success of Lincoln Place Apartments? Is there a demand for more similar projects?
What is the makeup and state of the current, if any, downtown planning committee?

How can you get involved?

Respond to this blog or email a letter to the editor to the Loveland Reporter-Herald (news@reporter-herald.com) to share your thoughts with others.
Contact the City Manager’s office (lvld@ci.loveland.co.us) for a schedule of Loveland Downtown Team meetings, and take the time to attend.
Talk to your City Council Member about his or her views on Downtown.
Let the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado know of your interest in Downtown, and we will keep you informed.

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

VolunTourism, A Different Way of Giving

2008-07-28T14:20:00.009-06:00

I have been extremely fortunate to work as an intern for the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Throughout my time here, I have witnessed the selflessness of local residents and how all forms of giving can have a great impact. Though we work mainly with monetary donation at the Foundation, you can also give your time and energy.

Many people are trying to fit in a few last activities, and possibly a vacation, as summer comes to a close. If a vacation is in your plans, why not try VolunTourism? A volunteer travel vacation gives you the opportunity to have an adventure and see the sights, all while making a difference.

For the past two years I have participated in a program at CSU called Alternative Spring Break. Through this program I was able to combine two of my passions: service work and travel.
This alternative vacation led me to Panama, where my group and I built trails one year and a museum the next. Our work helpeded increase eco-tourism in the small rural town of Achiote, which relies on tourism as one of its largest sources of income.

Not only were we able to see the local sights (Panama Canal, bird watching tours, and yes, some time on the beach), but we were also able to make long-lasting relationships amongst ourselves and within Achiote. You make a lasting impression on the people you meet through your selflessness and hard work.

Does this sound like something fun and worthwhile? You, too, can take a volunteer vacation and make a difference!

Wish the yellow pages had a section on volunteer travel? Look no further than Volunteer Vacations by McMillon, Cutchins, and Geissinger. This book is a directory of volunteer travel organizations, both state-side and abroad. There are also numerous websites, so getting started on planning your next VolunTourism trip is easy! Why wait?

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Written By: Kristin Lubbers, Intern, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Advantages of a Donor Advised fund over a Private Foundation

2008-07-11T08:31:00.013-06:00

Dave Edwards’ June 20th blog referred briefly to the cost of setting up a private foundation versus creating a Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.

There are several cost-specific reasons why establishing a Community Foundation charitable fund might make more sense than creating a private foundation, and anyone contemplating creating a charitable fund would do well to consider the differences between the two options.

Organization Costs: Setting up a private foundation requires creating a new organization, applying for tax-exempt status, paying filing fees and incurring legal and accounting expenses. None of these requirements apply to establishing a Community Foundation fund.

Tax Deductions: Gifts to the Community Foundation of closely held long-term appreciated stock at its fair market value can be deducted up to 30% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) while the same gift to a private foundation may be limited to a deduction of only up to 20% of AGI.
Likewise, cash gifts to the Community Foundation can be deducted up to 50% of AGI versus only 30% of AGI for gifts made to private foundations.

Tax Payments: Funds established with the Community Foundation incur no taxes and all IRS reporting requirements are handled by the Foundation's staff at no extra charge to you. Private foundations require the filing of annual reports and payment of up to 2% of the foundation’s investment income and net realized capital gain.

Those who are trying to minimize both their upfront and ongoing costs, as well as the administrative burden of managing a charitable fund, owe it to themselves to consider a Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation.

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Written By: Wynne Odell, Board of Trustee Chair, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Looking at Glade from a Broader Perspective

2008-07-02T13:26:00.014-06:00

I have been following the Glade Reservoir debate with the hope that a solution will emerge that satisfies concerns about the river’s long-term health and unifies the majority of Fort Collins and Larimer County residents.

As currently framed, the discussion seems to pit two starkly-divided groups against each other in a winner-take-all contest.

Is it possible that those of us who question the Glade project would be wiser to broaden the discussion to include a middle ground?

Because residences in Fort Collins and northern Larimer County will receive little or none of the water produced by Glade, perhaps we should ask what we will receive if it is built?

Shouldn’t we be doing everything possible to make sure it is structured in a way that contains the best possible mitigation elements to maximize the health of the river?

Shouldn’t we be asking how recreational uses of the new reservoir and surrounding land should be structured, and how the proponents of Glade can enhance this aspect of the project?

How can we improve upon the notorious stretch of U.S. 287 that will be re-routed if the reservoir is built?

The newly-routed highway would cover much of the distance between Fort Collins and the new Soapstone Prairie Natural Area – a stunning 18,000-acre site with 25 miles of trails. Can we make this section of U.S. 287 safer and perhaps even add a bike lane?

Yes, many of us still have concerns about the project. However, my greatest concern is that the permit will be issued without the two sides negotiating an arrangement that serves Larimer County in the best possible way.

Here are just a few of the recent articles about the proposal for Glade Reservoir that describe both the pros and cons of the project.

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/OPINION04/806050342/1014/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

http://www.fortcollinsnow.com/article/20080501/NEWS/324827552/1008&parentprofile=1054

http://www.rmchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2190&Itemid=61

http://origin.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8664957

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/01/reservoir-likely-would-hurt-habitat-feds-say/

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

UniverCity Connections' Homeless Initiative: Next Steps

2008-06-27T08:47:00.033-06:00

If you are like me, then you love to cross things off your “To-Do” list as you complete them. That sense of accomplishment, of being able to say, “That’s finished!” is no small thing to me.

Likewise, the UniverCity Connections’ Homeless Initiative Task Group is glad to report several accomplishments as we now eagerly wait to cross the huge “to-do” off our list.

As the UniverCity Connections initiative formed, concerns about the potential impact on the area homeless and near-homeless came to light. Soon after, an anonymous donor generously provided a grant to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado to sponsor research of best practices in addressing the many complex factors surrounding homelessness. And with that, the Homelessness Initiative Task Group was formed.

We developed a three-part vision that gave direction to the “to-do” list for our Task Group:

1. Promote integration of the Homelessness Initiative’s vision into all UniverCity Connections initiatives.

Secured a grant from the UniverCity Connections Steering Committee, with funding provided by the City of Fort Collins, to develop a presentation re: general homelessness awareness and the HI vision

Made presentations to a majority of the UniverCity Connections Task Groups

2. Using a grant from the anonymous donor, sponsor research on strategies that best address the needs of the homeless and near-homeless populations in order to end homelessness.

Recruited new members with a greater understanding of local needs re: homelessness and near-homelessness

Hired Dr. Jamie Van Leeuwen, project manager for Denver’s Road Home, to conduct best practices research

Dr. Van Leeuwen was keynote speaker to all UniverCity Connections participants at the April meeting

3. Use the research and recommended action steps to create a Homelessness Plan with prioritized actions.

As you can see, we’ve been plugging away at getting our to-do list completed. Dr. Van Leeuwen has presented his first draft to the HI task group, and we will soon get the word out to all UniverCity Connections stakeholders.

Then the real work will begin as our community comes together to develop a Homelessness Plan – an exciting milestone for our community!

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Written By: Heather Meyer, Member, UniverCity Connections Homelessness Initiative Task Group

Reflections on a Great Year

2008-06-20T08:59:00.005-06:00

My two-year term as chair of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado’s Board of Trustees just ended. As I said to the board, this has been the most fun volunteer position I’ve ever had.

The trustees are committed community leaders. Ray Caraway, our president, is passionate about his Community Foundation work. Our staff has a “can do, will do” attitude.

With UniverCity Connections, we have demonstrated the Community Foundation can be a neutral convener. With our Homelessness Initiative, which came out of UniverCity Connections, we’ve shown we can address community issues and find solutions. In just weeks, the Homelessness Initiative will publish a “Report to the Community,” funded by the Community Foundation.

In the past six years, the Community Foundation has more than doubled in size from $14 million to $40 million in assets. We are on track to meet our strategic goal of $50 million by the end of the decade. The Foundation’s credibility and reputation has grown tremendously.

But we have to get out the message that the Community Foundation is not the “end user” of charitable donations.

The Community Foundation helps create a long-term endowment to meet the needs of the future. When an individual, family or business establishes a Donor Advised fund with us, their gift is tax-deductible. The gift is invested, and the fund receives the investment return. The donors can then make charitable grants from the fund to any eligible charities they choose.

Those charities are the “end user” of the donation. The Foundation is a way to create an endowment, and it therefore becomes a legacy.

The Community Foundation’s recent success is because we’ve come to learn we are a donor-driven organization. Our vision statement is “We help people achieve philanthropic dreams.”

The startup costs and ongoing costs of a private foundation are significant and eat into charitable assets. Establishing a Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation is easy, flexible and fun. DonorCentral, our online donor portal, makes your fund records available on a daily basis, and you can make grant requests online. You can choose to be acknowledged for your grants or give anonymously.

The Foundation staff is here to serve you. Talk to Ray Caraway to see how the Community Foundation can help you!

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Written By: Dave Edwards, Past Chair

Dave Edwards: A Model of Collaboration

2008-06-13T08:28:00.014-06:00

On June 12, United Way of Larimer County honored one of our region’s most inspiring leaders. As the recipient of the Doris McKellar Community Collaborator Award, Dave Edwards was recognized as a great communicator who has an unusual ability to bring people together around a common mission.

The Community Foundation is just one local agency that has benefited from Dave’s leadership. At the end of June, he will complete a two-year term as Chair of our Board of Trustees, and a total of five years of service to this organization. It is clear that his work will have a long-term impact on our organization.

Ray Caraway wrote the following in his letter to United Way in support of Dave’s receipt of the Doris McKellar award:

Dave’s ability to build community stems from exceptional insight, sheer determination, and the respect of others that results from years of community leadership. Dave is a former City of Fort Collins council member and is among the most active alumni leaders at Colorado State University. He’s supported numerous local nonprofits as a board member and philanthropist and invested hundreds of hours as a volunteer

Most recently, Dave has shown exceptional leadership as a co-founder and co-chair of UniverCity Connections, a unique public-private community initiative convened by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Approximately 200 community leaders have participated in UniverCity Connections, including the president of CSU, the Fort Collins mayor, the Fort Collins city manager, the head of the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority and numerous nonprofit, civic, business and community leaders. Few people have the credibility to bring such a group together and keep them at the table long enough to build consensus around important community issues.

On behalf of all who have had the privilege of working and serving with Dave, we extend our congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition!

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Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Region Helps Windsor Recover

2008-06-06T14:51:00.009-06:00

On the morning of May 22, 2008, my family boarded a flight from Denver to Washington D.C. During the trip, we joked and relaxed, settling into vacation mode and anticipating our son’s debut as the ring bearer in Cousin Sheldon’s wedding.

After disembarking the plane at approximately 2:20 p.m. EST, we walked past a TV playing CNN. I was stunned to hear the announcer say that a huge tornado had just struck the Town of Windsor.

There are no words to describe the level of fear I felt when I saw video footage depicting the destruction in our town. As a 10-year resident of Windsor, I recognized the buildings that had been leveled by the storm, and I immediately knew that our region would feel the long-term impact of this rare tornado for years to come.

In the following hours, our cell phones rang incessantly. Friends and family from across the country had seen the national news reports and were calling to check on our family. At the same time, we tried to connect with friends back home in Windsor to check on their safety and the needs of their families.

We felt helpless being so far away, so we did what we could. We offered our home ― it would be empty for the week we were on vacation ― to those who might need a place to stay. I stayed in close communication with the Community Foundation office to help coordinate information and relief efforts. And we read every online report we could find in an effort to mentally prepare for our arrival back in Windsor.

I’ve since joked that I’ve never taken an eight-day vacation that felt more like a month. While I enjoyed my time with family, my mind and heart were back in Northern Colorado.

As I spoke with friends, family, and co-workers, one thing became abundantly clear: Northern Colorado was rallying around the Town of Windsor, and this disaster would not destroy our spirits. The rebuilding efforts will take time, but Windsor is already showing signs that it will emerge stronger than ever.

On behalf of Windsor residents, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Colorado National Guard, United Way of Larimer and Weld counties, the Centennial Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County, law enforcement agencies, fire/rescue teams, and many others for their leadership in local relief efforts. As I returned to town and saw your work in action, I was overcome with gratitude. The Town of Windsor will recover thanks to the generosity and commitment of so many.
__________________________________________________________________

Here are several ways to make a tax-deductible donation in support of Windsor recovery efforts:

Donate to the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County. Monies raised will assist individuals through an application process.
Donate to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Distributions from our Disaster Relief Fund will be coordinated with the Town of Windsor and the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County.

Recommend a grant from your Donor Advised fund by sending an email to Roxanne Fry indicating the amount.
Send a check payable to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado with “Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line (mail it to 4745 Wheaton Dr., Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80525.)
Make a credit card donation using our secure online donation page (indicate “Disaster Relief Fund” in the Comments field.)

Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Brenna's Story: Learning to Trust Again

2008-05-30T10:29:00.008-06:00

When I came to Larimer Center for Mental Health about a year ago, I knew that I had found a place where lives weren’t only made better, but were completely transformed.

At Larimer Center for Mental Health, we serve more than 4,000 people every year, and 35% of those served are children and adolescents.

These are big numbers, but behind the numbers are real children. Children like 9-year old Brenna.

Brenna was a scared, cautious, withdrawn, and angry girl when we first met her. In fact, Brenna wouldn’t even speak when she first arrived at the Center. Having suffered years of violent abuse, Brenna was used to bruises, broken bones, hurtful words and angry voices.

And, while all of that was reason enough for Brenna to need our help, she had suffered something even worse.

One night, at home with her stepfather, Brenna watched while he beat her 4-year-old sister to death.

Brenna’s mom did nothing to protect her younger daughter, and nothing to protect Brenna from also being violently beaten or from witnessing the horrific scene.

And so Brenna just shut down.

After months of intensive play therapy, we were able to help Brenna talk about what she had seen and experienced. No amount of therapy could change Brenna’s past, but Brenna learned how to handle her anger and communicate her feelings. She started attending school again, and learned how to make friends. She found joy in artwork and in reading.

She discovered that Superman was her favorite superhero because he also knew what it meant to lose someone he loved.

But most importantly, Brenna had learned to trust again. Living with adoptive foster parents, Brenna was able to grieve the loss of her sister and cope with the reality of never seeing her mom again.

Our therapists not only worked with Brenna, but began intensive work with her new family to help them know how to parent this traumatized little girl.

We taught them how Brenna’s trauma might lead to behavior problems and what warning signs to look for. We taught them how to help Brenna through her hard days, and how to help her celebrate her achievements.

Today, Brenna’s therapist says that she’s one of the most loving children she’s ever known. And she says, “I hope that Brenna grows up knowing that in her darkest hours there were adults who cared about her and did all they could to keep her safe.”

Larimer Center for Mental Health wants to ensure that everyone who suffers from mental illness has the treatment they need and deserve.

The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado is helping us meet this goal by supporting our efforts to build the LCMH Endowment Fund.

It has issued a generous challenge grant: for every $2 LCMH raises this year, the Community Foundation will give an additional $1, up to $70,000. Through the power of the Foundation, we can turn donations of $140,000 into $210,000!

If you would like to learn more about Larimer Center for Mental Health or its endowment fund, please contact LCMH at (970) 494-4226, or the Community Foundation at (970) 224-3462 or Roxanne@CommunityFoundationNC.org.

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Written By: Emily Dawson Petersen, Development and Marketing Director for Larimer Center for Mental Health.

The Value of Leaving a Legacy

2008-05-23T08:21:00.009-06:00

“What we have contributed to others, to our families, to our community and the larger community is the legacy we leave.” ― as told to George Bailey by Clarence in It’s A Wonderful Life

Working to secure the long-term sustainability of a nonprofit organization can seem like an insurmountable task that is difficult, at times, to even consider. It is often a complicated challenge just to take care of the day-to-day duties that are involved in providing services to the community.

In 2007 alone, Hospice of Larimer County provided 46,607 days of direct hospice care to 943 patients and their family members. We also provided grief and bereavement support, education and counseling to community members struggling with the loss of a loved one more than 6,700 times.

The strategic planning, staffing, budgeting, marketing, and fundraising that is necessary to provide quality hospice care in Larimer and western Weld counties on a daily basis does not allow a great deal of time and resources to direct toward long-range sustainability.

With the assistance of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, however, we are making the efforts necessary to ensure the sustainability of our organization and the services we provide. Our goal is to secure the future of hospice care in our community and to encourage a philanthropic spirit that will direct charitable donations to Hospice of Larimer County. Such donations can be made via estate plans, bequests by will, retirement plan, remainder trust, gift annuity, or other planned gifts.

In working toward the goal of long-term sustainability, we have partnered with the Community Foundation to establish an endowment where we can direct charitable donations and gifts. The Community Foundation is committed to assisting us with growing our assets to meet both our current and future needs. To help with this, the Community Foundation has issued a challenge grant to us. They will contribute $1 to our endowment fund for every $2 we raise, up to $70,000. Therefore, if we can successfully raise $140,000 by the end of 2008, they will add $70,000, creating a total of $210,000 to be added to our endowment fund.

Our goal is to grow this fund to ensure funding for hospice care services that are not guaranteed through Medicare or other funding sources. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for helping us to establish an endowment and for this generous challenge grant. With their assistance and support, it has made what has seemed like an impossible task more feasible.

If you would like more information on the Community Foundation’s challenge grant to Hospice of Larimer County or our endowment fund, please contact Hospice of Larimer County at (970) 663-3500 or the Community Foundation at (970) 224-3462.

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Written By: Evan Hyatt, Development and Marketing Executive,

Hospice of Larimer County

Stepping Out Into the Real World

2008-05-16T09:49:00.012-06:00

After completing a year-long internship, today is my last day with the Community Foundation.On Saturday, I will graduate from CSU with degrees in Business Administration and Music. I have accepted a job at 90octane, a Denver marketing firm that specializes in custom lead generation and search engine marketing. My internship at the Community Foundation has more than prepared me for my new position and has given me the confidence to make the transition from being a student to being a professional.

Some specific skills I have learned at the Community Foundation stand out as being especially valuable:

Website management: For the past several months, I have made weekly updates to the Community Foundation website. This helped me gain some familiarity with website management programs and HTML code.
E-newsletter production: The Community Foundation publishes a monthly e-newsletter for donors and friends. I learned how to write succinct-yet-informative items for the e-newsletter, and learned some of the inner workings of sending an e-newsletter.
Time management: Completing two degree programs while working 10 hours a week at the Community Foundation has taught me how to manage time and complete tasks under a deadline. This is perhaps the most valuable skill I learned during my year at the Community Foundation.

I can safely say that my internship with the Community Foundation has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college career. I have had the opportunity to work with several great role models. I admire the entire Community Foundation staff for their passion for making Northern Colorado a better place to live, and for being exceptional at their jobs.

Written By: Kerry Houchin, Intern, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

No Cloning Required: Uniting Personal Passion and Community Involvement

2008-05-12T14:05:00.016-06:00

I’m repeatedly asked three questions:

1) “Did you clone yourself? I see you everywhere.”

My response: No

2) “How do you do all that you do in the community?”

My response: I’ve aligned my community involvement with my personal passion for education and economic development. When you have an alignment of passion and activity, it allows you to be engaged and effective in the work that you do. An example would be my involvement with workforce development, which is the synergy between education and economic development.

As we engage in a 21st century global economy and look to build our local economy around a three-legged stool of clean energy (the new “green”-collar worker), bioscience, and information hardware/software, we need to understand the workforce needs of our employers in these industries, specifically what education AND skill-sets workers in this field need to be effective. These needs must be communicated effectively to those who can deliver the training: universities, community colleges and the K-12 system, and work must be done in a collaborative setting of mutual respect.

So, to this end, my work with the Poudre School District Business Education Council, the CSU Alumni Association, the CSU President’s Leadership Program and the UniverCity Connections Economic Development, Joint CSU/City Facilities, and Fort ZED task groups all flow into workforce development. Even though I participate in a number of different initiatives and organizations, each supports my personal passion for education and economic development and provides multiple resources and viewpoints to tackle some of our biggest challenges or achieve some of our most audacious goals. And, I get to fulfill my role as a catalyst and convener by bringing groups together to take on an issue from multiple points along the continuum.

3) “How do I get involved?”

My response: Ask yourself what you are passionate about and seek out those organizations that are working in those areas. The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and the United Way of Larimer County are great resources for identifying organizations that have volunteer needs, especially through the FirstCall/211 program. Family, friends, your faith community, and community leaders can be a source of engagement as well. Just remember to avoid over-extending yourself, and to have fun!

Community involvement is what makes real positive change in our world, enriches your life through giving and engagement, and opens you up to new friends and acquaintances who are coming together for a common purpose.

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Written By: Doug Johnson, Director, UniverCity Connections

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: An Evaluation of Our 2008 Annual Luncheon

2008-05-02T11:40:00.012-06:00

As the mother of an extremely inquisitive four-year-old boy, I often find myself responding to important inquiries such as:

Why?

How does that work?

Can I try that?

On April 23 the Community Foundation hosted its Annual Luncheon. As the lead planner for this event, I always spend time after the celebration in “reflection mode,” wondering whether we achieved our event goals and pondering ways we can improve the event in the future.

Rather than approaching this year’s event evaluation from a high-level business perspective, I’ve decided to assess the gathering’s effectiveness through the mind of an inquisitive four-year-old:

Why? The Community Foundation’s primary goal is to promote philanthropy, so we host the Annual Luncheon each spring as a way to celebrate the local generosity we see day in and day out. This gathering of Northern Colorado residents honors those who have given generously, and inspires others to do the same.

How does that work? Attendees and sponsors often ask me how we manage to pull off an event of this magnitude with the equivalent of only 4½ full-time employees. The answer is relatively simple: an army of volunteers, a fabulous team of interns, a dedicated staff, and committed sponsors.

Our trustees and committee members man the registration tables, greet guests, and participate in the program. Our five CSU interns assist with a variety of pre-event planning activities; they also take pictures at the luncheon, update our website with event photos and videos, and help with post-event follow-up to sponsors and attendees.

Our staff members stand ready and willing to jump in where needed: answering phone inquiries, recording sponsorship payments, printing nametags, and proofing the invitation and program. And, of course, this event simply would not be possible without the continuing support of our sponsors, who graciously serve as table hosts and generously support our mission.

Can I try that? One of the most rewarding aspects of this event is observing the impact on attendees: if local residents walk out of the luncheon inspired to “dig deeper” and make a charitable investment in our community, we know we’ve met our goal. After this year’s event, I was personally touched by an attendee who shared a very heartfelt statement with me. She said, “I looked around the room and saw a lot of people who have done so much. And I realized that I can do something, too.” If you’re wondering whether you, too, can try this, I encourage you to click here to have your questions answered.

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend this year’s Annual Luncheon but would like to learn more about the ways we promote philanthropy, please visit our website or give us a call at (970) 224-3462.

Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

A Bookmark Bonanza

2008-04-25T16:53:00.008-06:00

As the “resident geek” in charge of the Community Foundation’s technology programs, I’m often asked to share some of my favorite websites, comment on the latest tech trends, and point people in the direction of fun and useful online resources.

Whether you work for a charitable organization, volunteer for a service club, or serve on a board/committee, I hope that this week’s blog posting provides you with a few new ideas. Bookmark away!

Guide Star (research nonprofit agencies, view 990s): http://www.guidestar.org/
Internet Marketing Assessment (is your nonprofit agency up to speed?): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=562113080897
Tech Soup (deeply discounted software titles for nonprofits, included all major Microsoft products): www.techsoup.org/stock
Constant Contact (create simple and easy e-newsletters): http://www.constantcontact.com/
Google Checkout (free online credit card processing for nonprofits): http://checkout.google.com/sell/?promo=sha2&gsessionid=eoFOOEo9vfM
BlackTie Colorado (online event registration): http://www.blacktie-colorado.com/
Survey Monkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/
Picasa (free, easy photo editing tool): http://picasa.google.com/features/index.html
Picasa Web Albums (free, easy way to upload photos for online sharing): http://picasa.google.com/intl/en_us/web/learn_more_picasa.html
Google Desktop (Search your computer as easy as you search the Internet): http://desktop.google.com/features.html
Log Me In (Take control of another computer, such as at the office or at home): http://logmein.com
PDF 995 (free tool to change any document into a PDF file): http://www.pdf995.com
Mozy (free online back-up service): www.mozy.com
Fax-to-email (free fax number, changes incoming faxes to graphic file): http://k7.net/
Do Gooder TV (A kinder, gentler “YouTube”) http://www.dogooder.tv/
Remember the Milk (free online check-list that sends reminders to your inbox, phone, etc.): http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Reflections on UniverCity Connections

2008-04-18T10:51:00.014-06:00

As the Director of UniverCity Connections, my days are filled with a variety of meetings and activities. Here are a few of my random observations from this week:

At the April 17 Poudre School District Foundation community breakfast, the organization’s leadership announced a new partnership with the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. This collaborative move represents responsible philanthropic management in several ways:
o It allows for efficiencies in fund management, accounting, and audit, which will result in reduced overhead costs
o It provides a “one-stop shop” for those wanting to support education in our community
o It helps maximize the impact of giving to our students

Thanks to the enlightened leadership of both organizations that helped to make this a reality!
At our next UniverCity Connections Stakeholder event (scheduled for Thursday, April 24), our task groups will make several exciting announcements. These groups have been working diligently to implement the community vision for CSU, Downtown and the Poudre River. The big win for both UniverCity and our community, beyond any bricks-and-mortar type of visible wins, is the relationships that have been formed that didn’t previously exist. UniverCity has given us a forum to come together and ask “What if?” and then bring the right people to the table to make it “What is.”

As our dedicated volunteers work to implement the vision of UniverCity Connections, it’s hard not to consider “What’s next?” Many good things are happening because UniverCity created a forum for all voices to have input into a collective vision; but it now begs the question “To what else could we apply this model of convening?”Is the role of UniverCity to be a think tank? A thought leader? Or does it simply fade away as vision becomes reality? We’ve committed to staying focused on the task at hand, but these thoughts will swirl in the backs of our minds as we go forward.

On a side note, I’d like to recognize our incredibly talented team of Community Foundation staff and interns for their work in putting together our upcoming sold-out Annual Luncheon. The hours spent on the phone, writing emails, conducting follow-up, and focusing on details will combine to produce a world-class celebration of philanthropy in Northern Colorado.

Written By: Doug Johnson, Director, UniverCity Connections

Some Thoughts on Nonprofit Boards

2008-04-11T11:35:00.005-06:00

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” ― African Proverb

A recent committee meeting reminded me of some of the qualities that are relatively unique to foundations and nonprofit organizations:

I work for a great organization that is involved in interesting projects benefiting the entire community.

I help generous people who genuinely want to help others.

I work with dozens of nonprofit organizations and civic groups that do all kinds of great stuff.

And I get to observe group dynamics that are absolutely fascinating. Dull moments are so rare that they are actually appreciated.

But I feel particularly blessed to have the opportunity to work with a Board of Trustees whose members are exceptionally effective in moving the organization forward. There are some people who just know how to get things done. Norton Rainy, a Denver consultant, likes to say that successful nonprofits need an airtight case and great leadership, but if you can have only one, take the leadership.

When you find a great nonprofit, you will almost always find an exceptional board. Even the most brilliant executive director will fall short without a great board. The irony is that both the executive director and the board should take great responsibility for each other. The most important duties of the nonprofit board are to hire a competent executive, provide the resources necessary for success, and hold the executive accountable for results. And although the executive works for the board, one of the primary roles of the executive is to educate, motivate, coach and recruit great board members.

One foundation president I know describes it as a “push – pull” relationship. Sometimes boards fail to give the executive the tools he or she needs. Sometimes executives complain about the board, but fail to see their role in strengthening it. Occasionally, the complexities of working with a board and multiple committees can be exasperating, and that can definitely slow things down.

But the reality is that great things are rarely accomplished alone. Exceptional organizations require a common vision and teamwork. And strong nonprofit organizations require solid leadership from both the board and the executive director.

Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Why a Community Foundation?

2008-04-04T11:57:00.008-06:00

When I contacted my circle of family, friends, and colleagues to tell them I’d accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer for the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, many people asked me, “Why a Community Foundation?”

During my long and varied career in public and corporate accounting, I’ve never worked directly for a nonprofit agency. In fact, the focus of my professional experience has been to help individuals, businesses and organizations become profitable! So the notion of working for a nonprofit seemed like a contradiction.

So how did I respond to those who questioned my decision?

I explained that my greatest accomplishments have come from finding ways to use existing assets (people, equipment, technologies, and money) in more efficient and cost effective ways to get the best return on investment. That return could be measured in the form of greater productivity, reduced costs, more revenue, etc. In essence, I focused on creating ‘economies of scale’ and synergistic solutions, with the goal of getting more out of what a person or organization already has.

Community foundations across the country were established with exactly that same goal in mind. “How can individuals and organizations use their resources in a way that will yield the maximum benefit for their community?” The answer, of course, is to establish a fund with a local community foundation.

A community foundation has the infrastructure of professional staff, technology, and facilities to administer and safeguard philanthropic contributions for multitudes of donors, funds and agencies.

So when a family, individual, business or organization wants to establish a charitable fund, they don’t have to create the entire structure to administer the fund. They simply entrust the donation to the community foundation, secure in the knowledge that the monies will be invested, grown, and distributed for the charitable purpose the donor intended.

In addition to pooling administrative resources, the community foundation also pools the charitable dollars for investment purposes. A larger pool of money gives all funds greater investment leverage. The result? All funds receive maximum investment return, with minimum overhead. The impact? More funds are available for local philanthropy.

A community foundation is really the ultimate example of how to use a base of resources to attain true economies of scale and yield a synergistic result that benefits an entire community!

Wow! How could I not take this job?

Thank you to the Board of Trustees and the Community Foundation team for giving me this opportunity.

Learn more about Donna's professional experience by visiting our website.

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Written By: Donna Long, Chief Financial Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Sandy’s Swan Song

2008-03-28T11:27:00.007-06:00

After five years as the chief financial officer for the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, and many more years in the workforce, I have decided the time is right for me to retire.

It has been a great pleasure to serve the Larimer County community through my work at the Foundation; I can’t imagine a better way to finish my career. Here are a few highlights:

Hurricane Katrina opened our community’s hearts and eyes to how close distant neighbors can be. Fort Collins residents still remembered their flood of 1997, and empathized with those in the path of Hurricane Katrina. With the challenge match from the Bohemian Foundation, money poured into the Community Foundation and the United Way of Larimer County. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped in this effort: opening the mail, copying every check, logging each gift, and receipting every donor. We got the job done quickly, and quickly put the money into the hands of the grassroots nonprofit agencies where it was needed most. Near the end of this process, someone came into the office and made a comment about how helpless they felt about Hurricane Katrina. I realized then that I did not feel helpless because I had done so much through my work here at the Community Foundation.
When I joined the staff, our office was located in the main house of the historic Carriage House Complex, on the corner of Howes and Mulberry in Old Town Fort Collins. The Community Foundation owned the complex, and in addition to being the accounting and human resources departments, I was also the landlord. I learned quite a bit in a short period of time in that role. After selling the property and then renting from the new owner for a year, the Community Foundation built a new office in the southeast business corridor of Fort Collins. This provides a location that is more central to all of Larimer County. Personally, as a resident of southwest Loveland, it made my commute easier.
It’s been extremely rewarding to be on the Community Foundation team as it made great strides from a financial standpoint. We substantially lowered our administration fees, and our Cornerstone Campaign allowed us to provide an excellent level of service to donors and the community. We increased the number of our charitable funds to 257, and the assets have almost tripled in the last five years. There are now two investment pools available for long-term funds and the new investment model provides lower overall fees with lower risk than our previous model.

Donna Long is the new chief financial officer and I know she will do a great job. She is absolutely the perfect person for this position. You’ll meet Donna next week when she writes her first blog posting.

Thank you, everyone, for supporting me and the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.

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Written By: Sandy Boatman, Retiring Chief Financial Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Is "The Big Give" a Big Deal?

2008-03-21T10:15:00.010-06:00

My husband says there are two types of people: Those who are fans of Oprah Winfrey, and those who really don’t care what the Chicago-based talk show host does or says.

Regardless of which camp you align with, you’ve probably found it hard to avoid the media hype about Oprah’s latest venture: “The Big Give.”

Oprah’s website describes “The Big Give” as a show that “defies television convention with the bold idea of people competing to give rather than get.” The eight-episode series features 10 contestants who race to come up with the most creative ways to grow the money they’re given, before giving that money away to help people who really need it. One contestant is eliminated each week until the last one standing receives a surprise $1 million prize from Oprah.

As someone who spends her days promoting local philanthropy, the idea of a prime-time TV show that challenges people to be charitable is intriguing. I admit I have concerns; for example, the charitable donations are coming from Oprah’s wallet and not from the contestants themselves. Can someone really understand what it feels like to dig deep and “give big” if the money they’re parting with is not their own? Fortunately, most of my questions about the show seem to have positive responses.

Question: Will TV viewers actually be interested in watching a reality show about giving?
Answer: It’s off to a good start; 15 million people watched the first episode on March 2.

Question: Will the show encourage donors to be strategic and intentional in their giving?
Answer: I’m encouraged by the fact that Oprah’s website directs potential donors to Network for Good, a one-stop shop for making gifts to nonprofit agencies. The Network for Good site is powered by GuideStar’s comprehensive database of nonprofit information, which I personally visit almost daily to verify information about potential grantees.

Question: Will the show motivate Americans to be more charitable?
Answer: Only time will tell! But if the show can convey even a small part of the satisfaction and personal reward that comes from strategic charitable giving, then perhaps nonprofit agencies of all shapes and sizes will feel the impact.

I don’t have any predictions as to how well “The Big Give” will ultimately fare in the ratings game. In the midst of March Madness, the promotion of new episodes after the writer’s strike, and the arrival of beautiful spring weather that tempts us to get outside and away from the TV set, “The Big Give” has some tough competition.

Here’s hoping that it does well enough to stimulate a nation-wide increase in charitable giving that has a trickle-down impact on our local nonprofit agencies.

Written by Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

The Cost of Giving

2008-03-14T09:18:00.007-06:00

Gathering the information to prepare my 2007 tax return has been a reminder of the significant role that tax policy plays in charitable giving.

For example, the Colorado Childcare Tax Credit means that I can give $1,000 to a qualifying agency like Respite Care or the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County and the cost of my gift will only be about $203. The federal income tax deduction combined with the state income tax credit has a powerful impact on the after-tax cost to the donor. With an incentive like this, you’d think that people would be standing in line to give.

The estate tax is another example of how the tax code shapes our charitable giving. I’ve worked with many donors who have been strongly influenced by the so-called death tax. For those who have large enough estates (individuals with more than $2 million in assets), the federal estate tax can be a strong motivating factor. Those who are fortunate enough to have an estate tax “problem” must either give a significant amount to charity or accept the fact that their heirs will write a very big check to the IRS. Electing between the IRS and charitable causes would seem to be an easy choice. Yet, amazingly, I have seen situations where families faced huge estate tax bills just because of a failure to do the proper planning. Sometimes the cost of not giving can be enormous!

Americans make charitable gifts at a rate of about twice that of any other country’s citizens. I believe that this fact reflects a culture of philanthropy that values giving and understands the important role of nonprofit agencies. But, there’s no doubt that taxes also shape the way Americans give.

It is particularly encouraging to have a job like mine where I see so many donors who are influenced by both an exceptional spirit of generosity and the practical aspects that impact the cost of giving. Great passion combined with wisdom and careful planning is a rare and wonderful thing.

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

UniverCity Connections Breaks Down Walls

2008-03-07T08:09:00.010-07:00

I recently returned from Phoenix where I attended a conference, “University as Civic Partner.” It was hosted by Arizona State University and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The theme was what can happen when a university engages with its municipal partners, moving from an inward-looking “Ivory Tower” to a community-embracing anchor institution that can be a collaborative urban planning partner and developer.

Many of the universities that were invited to present were private or came from states that provided substantial support in terms of funding for higher education. Fantastic stories were shared of significant university and city investment in bricks and mortar, resulting in revitalized urban or riverfront assets that were held up as the ideal of town-gown relationships.

This is all well and good, but what if you happen to be in a city that is struggling with budget shortfalls due to declining retail tax revenue, and a state that cannot adequately fund its institutions of higher education due to revenue restrictions and competing priorities, including healthcare and transportation?

Such is the reality of the City of Fort Collins and Colorado State University. However, due to enlightened leadership in both organizations, the power of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and our role as a neutral convener, the energy of the Downtown Development Authority, and the commitment and dedication of more than 150 community volunteers, we have UniverCity Connections.

The power of UniverCity Connections lies in the relationships that have been formed between different entities in our community that previously didn’t exist. It gives us a forum for effective, inclusive communication and collaboration across a wide variety of stakeholders in the UniverCity District, where we can dream big and act on those dreams. Some of those dreams include bricks-and-mortar projects, but the real heart and success of UniverCity Connections is the creation and cultivation of relationships. Good relationships and a forum for effective communication is the ideal of town-gown relationships.

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Written By: Doug Johnson, Director, UniverCity Connections

Internships: A Valuable Experience

2008-02-29T10:52:00.016-07:00

I began my internship with the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado in September 2007. Having an internship is an extremely valuable experience. However, not all internships are a great experience ― no one wants to get coffee all day!

So what are students looking for in an internship?

Hands-on experience. I think this is the most important element of an internship ― the opportunity for a student to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom is truly valuable.

A professional atmosphere. This is usually an area in which students don't have very much experience. An internship can provide the opportunity for a student to learn how to behave in this new environment.

Business contacts and networking skills. Internships can provide students with the opportunity to exercise their networking skills and build new contacts.

Projects applicable to their major. Of course, as an intern, students expect to help with administration duties, such as answering phones and greeting guests (and maybe even getting coffee), which are valuable skills for every intern to learn. However, providing projects that allow students to use their skills and talents is an essential opportunity in an internship that will benefit both the organization and the student.

Being an intern at the Community Foundation has not only given me all of the opportunities that I listed above, but many unexpected opportunities and experiences as well. For instance, being invited to attend board meetings. Not only do these unexpected opportunities keep my internship interesting, but I also feel very valued as an intern!

The Community Foundation has also made me proud to be part of the Northern Colorado community. It is uplifting to learn about the many deserving nonprofit organizations in our region ― I feel that every day at the Community Foundation, I learn more about the importance of "giving back."

So how can you tap into the intern goldmine at CSU? Many students are looking for quality internships; each department at CSU has an internship database in which you can post your internship application. The CSU career center has an online database as well. Also, attending the CSU Internship & Job Fair that is held every fall and spring is another great way to find the intern who fits your organization's needs.

I am very grateful to the Community Foundation for giving me such an invaluable learning experience; I am truly looking forward to continuing my internship here.

Written By: Stephanie Miller, Intern, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

The Proper Care and Feeding of Interns

2008-02-22T10:54:00.012-07:00

A few weeks after I started working at the Community Foundation in the fall of 2005, I looked around the building and saw that we had a hole to fill.

The Community Foundation did not have an intern.

We had a talented, efficient, committed staff that was always willing to go the extra mile for our donors, board members, nonprofit agencies, and the community in general. Yet there were “wishful thinking” projects on the back-burner and ideas that hadn’t yet taken flight. Were we missing an opportunity? Could we provide a chance to teach, and be taught, all in the same breath?

I proposed the idea of an intern to our staff. While I wasn’t met with outright resistance, our team raised questions that I’m sure other organizations struggle with as well:

Won’t it take a lot of time to train an intern? We could probably do the projects ourselves in less time than it would take to explain all of the details to a student.

We handle a lot of confidential information here, and we interact with major donors and community leaders. Can we trust a student to help us in these areas?

Will an intern show up with body piercings, tattoos, and an abundance of slang language?

Will the student be reliable? What if we assign the intern to work on a major project and he decides not to show up for a week?

We forged ahead, carefully selecting one intern to help us in Spring 2006. We soon grew to a team of two interns. Then three. And when the Fall 2007 semester began, we had five students on our team. Yes, five interns for a full-time staff of four people! By designing a structured internship program, we’ve been able to accomplish more than ever before, in an efficient, professional environment.

We wrote a detailed Intern Manual that resides on our intranet. The manual has decreased our “Community Foundation 101” basic training from 2 weeks to about 2 days.

We require that students receive CSU credit for their internship. This provides a level of accountability and helps the students view the internship as an integral part of their educational journey.

After completing 180 hours of volunteer work (the requirement for many 3-credit internships at CSU), the student can stay on as a paid intern at $10 per hour.

We specifically seek out sophomores and juniors --- who can stay with us for 2-3 years -- and we treat our interns very well in the hope that they WILL stay! We consider them a full-fledged part of our team, and we expose them to people and projects in our community that they might not otherwise encounter. In turn they provide us with a skill set and knowledge base that allow us to grow in new ways.

Next week, you’ll be able to read more on this topic, straight from the source: Stephanie Miller, a senior Public Relations major, will provide an intern’s perspective. What does a student look for in an internship? What do interns learn about our community and “giving back” by completing an internship? How can you tap into this goldmine at CSU? Stay tuned!

Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

One Last Investment

2008-02-15T13:57:00.010-07:00

John McLean called me the week of February 4 to talk about a gift of closely-held stock he wanted to make to his fund here at the Community Foundation. I looked into it a bit, and calling him back to discuss the matter was on my “to-do” list. I was planning to advise him that he should consider waiting a while to make the gift. After all, the stock in this particular start-up company was not yet marketable, and he’d likely receive a much more significant tax deduction by making the gift at some point down the road.

On February 14 I received an email from Mary Carraher of Project Self-Sufficiency informing me of John’s sudden death as a result of a heart attack. The news came as a huge shock. John was an active, seemingly healthy man in his 60s. He was planning a trip to Nepal, working on local homelessness issues, participating in the Fort Collins Sertoma Club, looking at creative ways to be more philanthropic, and occasionally telling off-color jokes.

Although John and I couldn’t have been more different, he was a good friend. A friend to all of us at the Community Foundation and a friend to numerous nonprofit organizations and the people they serve. He leaves behind a legacy that includes a permanent endowment fund here at the Community Foundation – the Patricia McLean Memorial Fund. The fund was named to honor John’s mother who faced challenges as a single parent.

John’s sudden and unexpected death was a reminder to me that all of us leave a legacy of some sort. And the legacy we leave is largely shaped by the investments we make in others. John didn’t live long enough to make that last gift of stock. But through the estate plans he put in place, he made one last investment in others – a very long-term investment. His plans leave a legacy that will continue to provide financial support for single moms and others long after all of us are gone.

Patricia McLean would be proud.

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

The Not-So-Dreaded Fundraising Event

2008-02-06T20:11:00.004-07:00

On January 31 I attended a fundraising breakfast for CHAMP – Ch aracter in Athletics, Make it a Priority. It seems that more and more events like this have been cropping up lately, and I believe that’s a good thing.

Some have said that these “ask events” tend to attract the same old crowd and really don’t do a good job of engaging new people. There is some truth to that, but it seems like a weakness that could be remedied easily enough. Most of the nonprofit events I attend do an excellent job of explaining the mission and sharing the vision that gave rise to the host organization. The CHAMP event was no exception.

Bob Powell, founder of Character Fort Collins, was very appropriately recognized for his many years as the executive director of that organization – a task he has clearly poured his heart into while performing it without financial compensation.
Two CHAMP volunteers, Ken Schrader and Craig Moddelmog, spoke passionately about the cause.
Sonny Lubick was recognized as a shinning example of character and ethics in athletics. (He got the biggest laugh of the morning when he wondered out loud where in the world he would put the massive shadow box display that was presented to him.)
And Colorado Rockies President, Keli McGregor, spoke to the crowd in an unusually down-to-earth manner. His genuineness was striking, and his thoughts on the subject of integrity were more timely and relevant than any speech I’ve heard in a long time.

So, congratulations CHAMP! You did good. And so have lots of other organizations who have put on similar events in recent months. As long as these events are attracting new people while keeping long-time supporters enthused, they play a valuable role by promoting a higher level of civic engagement in a world where disengagement is too often the norm.

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado