Yampa Valley Community Foundation

04/10/2026

Proud that YVCF's CEO Tim Wohlgenant and valued partner Kimball Crangle of Gorman & Company will be leading a panel on the high country's affordable housing crisis at Colorado SunFest 2026 May 1. Click through to learn more.

Join the conversation at SunFest 2026, where people who care about Colorado explore solutions to the state’s most pressing issues.

03/18/2026

We're pleased to have supported with grant funding three excellent habitat projects across Routt County, backing work on invasive weeds, river health, and post-fire forest recovery.
https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/yvcf-habitat-fund-awards-3-grants-targeting-invasive-weeds-river-health-and-post-fire-recovery/
We hope to grow the WHILD Endowment Fund so that in future years, many other worthy projects could be funded as well. There's so much excellent work being proposed by project partners! Thank you to the grant committee who had to make hard choices this cycle.

The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Local District Endowment Fund has awarded three grants to support habitat projects across Routt County, backing work on invasive weeds, river health and post-fire forest recovery, according to a statement released...

03/03/2026

Multiple nominations are welcome!

https://yvcf.org/philanthropist-of-the-year/

02/25/2026

Congratulations to former YVCF Board of Trustees member Carol "Shine" Atha on the very well deserved honor of the Hazie Werner Award, which she received at the awards ceremony last night!

01/27/2026

Local scholarship applications open February 1. We're so fortunate to live in a community that offers such generous support of vocational, 2-year and 4-year educational programs! Thank you to the businesses, nonprofits and community members that create these opportunities!

Learn more: yvcf.org/scholarships

Yampa Valley Electric Association
Steamboat Springs School District
Friends of Moffat County Education
Hayden School District Re 1, Hayden High School
South Routt School District
Q***r Futures

01/16/2026

01/16/2026

We bet there aren’t many school districts in the country that offer a Ski Technician class! We are pleased that one of our Donor Advised Funds is supporting local students with creative programming such as this.

01/08/2026

Last night the City of Steamboat Springs - Government approved over $860,000 in funding to 60 organizations serving our community. YVCF is proud to serve on the steering committee for this process and to champion the good work of our region's mission-driven nonprofits. Read the City's news release here: https://www.steamboatsprings.net/DocumentCenter/View/41752/City-Allocates-More-Than-860000-to-Local-Organizations

12/09/2025

A shoutout and huge thanks to YVCF Philanthropic Services Manager Holly Wilson for her tireless work managing Yampa Valley Gives Day! As a Regional Champion of Colorado Gives Day, Yampa Valley Gives provides a platform for over 100 local nonprofits and causes to widen the reach of their fundraising. Over $900K has been raised as of noon, with 12 hours left to donate.

GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE! https://www.coloradogives.org/community/Yampavalleygives

12/09/2025

Meet Bill Felton — Grow Your Own Educator Fund recipient!

After years in the tech start-up world, Bill discovered his passion for education while volunteering in his daughter’s classroom at Soda Creek Elementary. Now a full-time building substitute at Sleeping Giant School, he’s working to deepen his impact in the district he loves.

Bill holds degrees in mass communication and speech-language pathology and is now pursuing a master’s in curriculum development, with plans to earn his teacher licensure by Spring 2027.

“The GYOE program relieves a lot of the tension that comes with returning to school,” he said. “I feel really supported. It’s motivating to know the district values people who want to grow into education.”

To learn more about all the Grow Your Own Educator fund recipients, check out the blog post: https://yvcf.org/first-round-educator-grants/
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Conoce a Bill Felton — beneficiario del Fondo “Grow Your Own Educator”!

Después de años en el mundo de las empresas tecnológicas emergentes, Bill descubrió su pasión por la educación mientras hacía voluntariado en el salón de su hija en Soda Creek Elementary. Ahora, como sustituto de planta en Sleeping Giant School, está trabajando para ampliar su impacto en el distrito que tanto aprecia.

Bill tiene títulos en comunicación de masas y patología del habla y lenguaje, y actualmente está cursando una maestría en desarrollo curricular, con planes de obtener su licencia docente para la primavera de 2027.

“El programa GYOE alivia gran parte de la tensión que conlleva volver a estudiar,” dijo. “Me siento muy apoyado. Motiva saber que el distrito valora a las personas que quieren crecer dentro de la educación.”

Para conocer más sobre todos los beneficiarios del Fondo Grow Your Own Educator, visita el blog: https://yvcf.org/first-round-educator-grants/

12/08/2025

Meet Maddy Rodriguez — Grow Your Own Educator Fund recipient!

Maddy’s passion for supporting students with disabilities began early when she worked with her older brother, who has Down syndrome. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Colorado Mountain College and working as a bilingual paraprofessional, she knew she’d found her calling.

Today, Maddy serves as the District’s behavior technician across all schools and is pursuing a master’s in special education with a focus on behavioral analysis. Her goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a role our school community truly needs.

“The tuition support takes so much stress off my shoulders,” she said. “I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”

To learn more about all the Grow Your Own Educator fund recipients, check out the blog post: https://yvcf.org/first-round-educator-grants/
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Conoce a Maddy Rodriguez — beneficiaria del Fondo “Grow Your Own Educator”!

La pasión de Maddy por apoyar a estudiantes con discapacidades comenzó desde joven, cuando trabajaba con su hermano mayor, quien tiene síndrome de Down. Después de obtener su licenciatura en Colorado Mountain College y trabajar como paraprofesional bilingüe, supo que había encontrado su vocación.

Hoy, Maddy trabaja como técnica de comportamiento del Distrito en todas las escuelas y está cursando una maestría en educación especial con enfoque en análisis del comportamiento. Su meta es convertirse en Analista de Comportamiento Certificada por la Junta (BCBA), un rol que nuestra comunidad escolar realmente necesita.

“El apoyo para la matrícula me quita muchísimo estrés,” dijo. “Estoy muy agradecida por esta oportunidad.”

Para conocer más sobre todos los beneficiarios del Fondo Grow Your Own Educator, visita el blog: https://yvcf.org/first-round-educator-grants/

12/08/2025

Meet JoEllen Heydon — Grow Your Own Educator Fund recipient!

After raising her children and working in local schools, JoEllen found her passion in helping students find their voice, serving as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant in the Steamboat Springs School District. Now, she is enrolled in a master’s program to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, with the goal of having a more direct impact on her students and their families.

“It’s a huge undertaking—about 60 credit hours—and this support means everything,” she said. “At 54, having people believe in me is significant. My journey isn’t done.”

JoEllen says the Grow Your Own Educator Fund is making her next steps possible and reflects the strength of the Steamboat community she loves.

To learn more about all the Grow Your Own Educator fund recipients, check out the link in our bio.
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Conoce a JoEllen Heydon — beneficiaria del Fondo “Grow Your Own Educator”!

Después de criar a sus hijos y trabajar en escuelas locales, JoEllen descubrió su pasión por ayudar a los estudiantes a encontrar su voz, desempeñándose como Asistente de Patología del Habla y Lenguaje en el Distrito Escolar de Steamboat Springs. Ahora está inscrita en un programa de maestría para convertirse en Patóloga del Habla y Lenguaje licenciada, con el objetivo de tener un impacto más directo en sus estudiantes y sus familias.

“Es un compromiso enorme—alrededor de 60 créditos—y este apoyo significa todo para mí,” dijo. “A mis 54 años, que la gente crea en mí es significativo. Mi camino no ha terminado.”

JoEllen dice que el Fondo Grow Your Own Educator está haciendo posibles sus próximos pasos y refleja la fortaleza de la comunidad de Steamboat que tanto ama.

Para obtener más información sobre todos los beneficiarios del fondo Grow Your Own Educator, visita el enlace en nuestra biografía.