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Community Foundation CFO Receives Regional Recognition
The Northern Colorado Business Report recently recognized our Chief Financial Officer, Stephanie Cashman, with a CFO of the Year Award. Stephanie is a CPA with 10 years of public practice experience with an emphasis in nonprofit accounting and taxation. With degrees in both Accounting and Marketing, her skills include the necessary attention to detail along with the ability to grasp the larger picture of the Foundation's work and a comprehensive understanding of the important role it plays in the community. Stephanie led our office through the process of going paperless and successfully integrates new and evolving technologies into our daily operations, saving the Foundation thousands of dollars. Congratulations, Stephanie!
Big Thompson Elementary: First Playscape Project in Larimer County
Having been designated as a School of Nature and Science in 2009, it was only natural that Big Thompson Elementary wanted to make the outdoors a better place to learn and play! The Playscape Project is the first of its kind in Larimer County. Click here to watch a video, view the conceptual plan, or support the school's goal to raise $100,000 to match a potential $350,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. (All funds will be contributed to playground improvements regardless of the grant status.) By revitalizing the exterior landscape of Big Thompson Elementary and its adjoining Outdoor Education Center, the Playscape Project will improve access to natural areas, giving kids the advantage of connecting with nature on a daily basis.
What's Happening With Embrace Northern Colorado? 
Embrace Northern Colorado is dedicated to facilitating a continuing collaborative regional conversation about the future of Northern Colorado and providing technical, planning and other support necessary to sustain that effort. Embrace is non-partisan and focuses on a variety of issues facing the region. The organization is working with its 100+ member leadership task force on identifying community values. Embrace is now gathering community feedback through a community values survey, which closes on October 14. Click here to take the survey, which takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
Silver Tsunami as a Golden Opportunity: Nov. 10
The Community Foundation invites you to a community conversation exploring the future growth of our senior population in Fort Collins. As thousands of Baby Boomers enter retirement in the next 20 years, how will we ensure that Fort Collins continues to be a great place to live and grow older? How will Baby Boomers redefine retirement, and what impact will that have on our community? How can we and our city government best prepare for the impending growth of our senior population? We want to hear your ideas! Please join the Senior Advisory Board, the Center for Public Deliberation, and subject experts for light refreshments and conversation on Thur., Nov. 10 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Lincoln Center. Click here to easily RSVP online or here for full event details.
Leadership Northern Colorado Applications Now Available
Leadership Northern Colorado is a joint initiative of the Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley chambers of commerce, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, and the Community Foundation serving Greeley and Weld County. The six-month program is designed to build human capacity and to identify, define and address the issues facing the Northern Colorado region. Applications for the 2012 Leadership Northern Colorado class are due by November 1. Click here to download an application.
Endowment Fund Will Support Veterans Plaza
The Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado, a fund of the Community Foundation, recognizes and honors the dedication of those who have served our nation in uniform. Phase I was completed May 29 and the statue will be unveiled on November 13. Completion of Phase II will likely be completed by the end of 2011.
The Plaza is located on three acres at Spring Canyon Community Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. Click here to watch a brief video highlighting the Plaza's features, or click here to make a tax-deductible donation to the Veterans Plaza Endowment Fund.
New Exhibit Opened at The Global Village Museum
The Global Village Museum, located at 200 W. Mountain Ave. in Fort Collins, has opened its third major exhibition in its new location, "ART4U&Me: Games and Toys from around the World". This fascinating collection of international "playable" art, with an interactive look back at toys and games from yesteryears, continues through Sat., October 29. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and is also participating in Fort Collins' First Friday Gallery Walk on October 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Ideas for Giving
The Community Foundation stays in close communication with charitable agencies in our region to strategically connect donors with the causes they care about most. These giving opportunities recently came to our attention:
Realities for Children Charities is a charitable organization that serves the unmet needs of abused and neglected children in Larimer County. The Triumph Awards were created to honor and provide recognition for exceptional youth in our community who have overcome the adversities of child abuse or neglect. Since 2004, collegiate scholarships have been provided to Triumph Award winners. Click here to learn more, read testimonials, or nominate a student. Click here to donate to the Triumph Awards Scholarship Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation.
GRIT Athletics was inspired by the life of Nicholas Greenwood, who passed away in 2008 at the age of six. GRIT stands for Grace, Righteousness, Intensity and Toughness, which are characteristics that describe how Nicholas lived his life. The GRIT Athletics Wrestling Club is a progressive approach to the training of wrestling techniques applying sport conditioning, teaching respect, learning to live big dreams, setting goals and living a life of GRIT. The wrestling club is kicking off its Fall session. Click here to view the wrestling club’s Fall schedule, and click here to learn more about GRIT Athletics.
Eco Week is a unique educational opportunity for 5th grade students. Dunn Elementary’s Eco Week adventure is scheduled for late Fall and includes a
two-night stay at the YMCA of the Rockies. Students spend their days in outdoor educational workshops, hiking in the mountains and engaging in team building activities. Financial support for this trip is not available from Dunn’s budget, so funds must be raised to ensure that each 5th grader has the opportunity to participate. Financial support is needed to assist families that have financial limitations. Click here to learn more.
In an effort to make our donors and friends aware of these types of funding needs and program announcements, our website features new submissions from area nonprofit agencies. Click here to review this month's submissions, and click here if you would like to have your nonprofit agency featured on our website.
Contact Your Community Foundation Staff
The Community Foundation provides a trusted, local platform that enables people to give more effectively and to think strategically and creatively about the future of our community. Click here to learn more about the ways our staff can help you achieve your charitable goals.