Kayla Marie Adsit was a talented musician who sang in multiple choirs and played clarinet, saxophone and piano. What she loved most, however, was reaching out to those less fortunate than herself.

When Kayla was tragically killed in a car accident three weeks before her graduation from Rocky Mountain High School, her family wanted to honor her memory in a long-term, meaningful way. Kayla’s parents, Eric and Lisa, along with Kayla’s older sister, Janelle, turned to the Community Foundation for help.

“We tried to understand the tax code and the requirements for forming a private foundation, but in the aftermath of Kayla’s accident that was impossible,” Eric and Lisa said. “The Community Foundation staff was so welcoming and easy to work with that we wish we had contacted them sooner to establish the Kayla Marie Adsit Memorial Foundation.”

The fund, which is dedicated to developing and enhancing student music programs, makes grants to the Poudre School District and local nonprofit agencies, allowing financially challenged students to pursue their dreams.

“The Community Foundation is staffed by caring professionals who really understand nonprofit agencies and philanthropy,” Eric and Lisa said. “The investment program helps our fund grow, which in turn allows us to distribute more grants to the community. The staff is always responsive to our needs and questions, and we leverage their expertise to help us achieve our goals. We let them guide us every step of the way, and we’re thankful that we have the support of such a well-known and respected organization.”

To learn more, visit www.TheKaylaFoundation.org.