NoCo Foundation

05/28/2026

Yesterday, the NoCo Foundation staff spent the morning volunteering at Loveland's Community Kitchen. We helped package to-go food, prep meals, and deep clean the dining room, kitchen, and trailer.

Loveland's Community Kitchen believes that everyone deserves access to food. Open for dinner everyday, it serves over 100,000 meals annually. It provides people with nutritious food and a place to connect.

We had a wonderful time learning about Loveland's Community Kitchen and the incredible work they do every day.

Learn more here: https://www.lovelandcommunitykitchen.org/

05/15/2026

Philanthropy isn’t just about big gifts, it’s about how we show up for our communities every day.

In this episode of NoCo Voices, Kristin Todd is joined by Mara Johnson from Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity and Paul Schnaitter from The Group Real Estate, participants from the NoCo Changemakers program. They talk about redefining philanthropy, learning through collective giving, and taking meaningful action in Northern Colorado.

We’re grateful to KRFC 88.9 FM for their partnership in bringing this podcast to life.

Listen through this link or wherever you get podcasts.

05/12/2026

Congrats to the 2025/2026 NoCo Changemakers Cohort!

Last week, we wrapped up this year’s NoCo Changemakers cohort with a final session and graduation.

Participants examined Northern Colorado’s philanthropic landscape, explored innovative giving strategies, and created personal legacy plans. They closed the program by awarding $25,000 to The Family Center/La Familia, funded through participant contributions and a Bohemian Foundation match.

The Family Center/La Familia provides early childhood education and holistic family support for Latinx and working‑class families. This grant will strengthen its Mi Voz program by partnering with Larimer County public health officials to document and elevate mobile‑home residents’ water‑access and safety concerns, helping bridge information gaps between affected households and policymakers to drive community‑informed solutions.

Learn more about NoCo Changemakers and The Family Center/La Familia.
https://nocofoundation.org/donors/nextgen-philanthropy
https://thefamilycenterfc.org/

05/07/2026

Earlier this week, we gathered to launch Housing at a Crossroads—and the energy in the room made one thing clear: this work matters, and it takes all of us. We were grateful to see leaders from across industries and perspectives come together, reflecting the collaborative spirit at the heart of our housing initiative. This event wasn’t a finish line—it was a starting point.

The regional housing report paints a clear picture of where we are today, the depth of the housing gap, and what it will take to move forward together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared the report, and helped carry this conversation forward—and a special thanks to our panelists for bringing the data to life through a truly multifaceted discussion of housing challenges and opportunities:

- Emily Francis, Mayor, City of Fort Collins
- Dale Hall, Mayor, City of Greeley
- Jamie Thorpe, Vice President of Entitlements, Hartford Homes
- Kevin Unger, President and CEO, UCHealth
- Marcie Willard, Economic Development Director, City of Loveland

You can check out the report online at: https://nocofoundation.org/regional-housing-report

05/06/2026

Each year, our Community Fund Committees invest in the next generation of philanthropists by sponsoring Give Next classrooms in Berthoud, Estes Valley, Fort Collins, and Loveland.

Through Give Next, students in Poudre and Thompson School Districts explore real community challenges, learn about local nonprofits, and make meaningful grant decisions of their own.

Thank you to our partners at Bohemian Foundation for making this powerful program possible.

05/01/2026

Yesterday, the NoCo Foundation, in partnership with CSU Office of Engagement and Extension hosted a program launching the 2026 Northeast Colorado Intersections Report.

Modeled after our 2024 Northern Colorado Intersections Report, this data‑driven resource highlights the region’s resilience, grit, and interconnected challenges, helping guide decisions that support community well‑being across Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma counties.

Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to be part of the conversation and learn more about how this report can help shape the future of Northeast Colorado.

You can check out the full report online: https://nocofoundation.org/necointersections

04/29/2026

This year, we had the honor of awarding the Austin J. Hart Scholarship at the I4E Startup Showcase, in partnership with the Institute for Entrepreneurship at CSU. Established by the Hart family in 2019, the scholarship honors the memory of Austin—a CSU alum whose entrepreneurial spirit shone from a very young age.

Designed to support students within the Institute for Entrepreneurship, the Austin J. Hart Scholarship reflects a shared commitment to innovation and possibility. This year marked the first time the scholarship was presented at the Startup Showcase, making the celebration especially meaningful.

Austin's parents, sister, and close friends were able to present the award this year to Hugh McCurren, whose venture project, FlocBot, also received first place at the Showcase as well as the People's Choice award.

Check out this link to learn more about FlocBot, a device designed to automate water sampling and data analysis to improve the water treatment process nationally: flocbot.com

04/28/2026

At the NoCo Foundation, we know firsthand how generous the Northern Colorado community is, and that generosity is true across the entire state.

To celebrate 150 years of Colorado, five of the state's largest foundations (Anschutz Foundation, Boettcher Foundation, Adolph Coors Foundation, Daniels Fund, and El Pomar Foundation) came together to produce two short films highlighting that generosity and what Coloradans have helped build throughout the years.

Check out one of the short films here and be sure to visit co150film.com to see the other film, learn more about the project, and share your own story!

04/28/2026

Thanks Loveland Reporter-Herald for sharing this launch event! Our Housing at a Crossroads Report offers a clear, regional snapshot of where we are today, including the depth of the housing gap, the forces driving it, and the cost of meeting our community's needs. Space is limited! Purchase a ticket here: https://cfnc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=5224

NoCo Foundation will hold a launch event at 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center, 4750 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, for a new Regional Housing Challenges Report designed to build a shared understanding…

04/27/2026

Meet Katie! Katie is the Donor Support & Database Coordinator at the NoCo Foundation and has been part of the team for almost a year. Read on to learn more about Katie!

What is a nonprofit you are passionate about and why?
Animal Friends Alliance is a nonprofit that means a lot to me because of the amazing work they do for animals in need. They give so many pets a second chance at a happy life. I adopted my rescue pup, Otis, from Animal Friends Alliance in 2024, and I’m grateful every day for the care and love they give to animals like him.

What’s your superpower in the workplace?
I learn quickly and am always eager to find solutions.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Passion comes from connecting with the 'why' behind your work, not just the 'what' of your daily to-do list.

What's your favorite weekend activity?
I love to go on little adventures with my fiancé, whether that means checking out trading card shows in Denver or finding new areas in Fort Collins to walk our dog, Otis.