- Read our e-newsletter archives
- Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter
Markley Family Gives $150,000 to Complete Vets Plaza
The Pat and Gene Markley Fund, a Donor Advised fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, is providing $150,000 in support to complete the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado.
As a successful businessman leading Markley Motors in Fort Collins, Gene, and his late wife, Patty, saw an opportunity to do something positive for the community. In 1993, they established a Donor Advised fund and helped advance the Community Foundation’s impact. Patty, a dedicated community volunteer for various organizations, passed away in May 2006. Gene now works with his children, Doug and Ann, to advise the fund and recommend grants. Gene, a veteran who served in Europe during World War II explains, "I got my inspiration from my father. My dad was very philanthropic and community-minded."
"We are pleased the Markley family is able to use their fund at the Community Foundation to honor the Veterans of Northern Colorado while contributing to something that is personally important to their family," said Ray Caraway, president of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.
The Veterans Plaza, an initiative of the Community Foundation, is dedicated to military veterans with ties to Northern Colorado. The three-acre Plaza is located at Spring Canyon Community Park near the foothills of Fort Collins. The Plaza’s groundbreaking took place in February 2011 and the construction is expected to be completed in time for a November 13 ceremony at which a statue conveying the story of generations of sacrifice will be dedicated.
Diggs Brown, a Special Forces (Green Beret) Officer in the United States Army National Guard and a member of the Veterans Plaza Committee says, "The Veterans Plaza initiative has unearthed a tremendous wave of patriotism and support from Northern Colorado residents. This significant gift leaves a legacy that positively impacts Northern Colorado and makes our region’s vision come to life. We are extremely thankful for the support of the Markley family."
Click here to learn more about the Veterans Plaza or visit the site located at the west end of Horsetooth Road between Taft Hill Road and Overland Trail in Fort Collins.
Performing Arts Center Will Benefit Estes Valley Residents
The Estes Valley Performing Arts Center Fund was established to build a world-class performing arts center for the Estes Park community. The goal is to raise $7M in capital to construct the building and create an endowment to support its operations. Support of this campaign assists the Estes Park community by providing a cultural center for art and education. The campaign is 72.5% away from its goal. For more information, please contact Christopher Wood by email or by calling 481-6630. Read on…
Graphic courtesy of Roger Thorp, PC.
Pathways Hospice Seeks Veteran Volunteers
Pathways Hospice is a nonprofit community hospice that has served Larimer and western Weld counties for more than 34 years. Because the organization is committed to providing respectful hospice care for veterans and their families, it is seeking veteran volunteers to provide companionship and a compassionate presence for veterans facing a life-threatening illness. Prospective volunteers are asked to attend a 22-hour comprehensive training that covers the hospice philosophy of care and provides specific skill building tools for the role as a volunteer. Once training is completed, the time commitment to participate in the Veteran to Veteran Program is two hours per week. The fall training session will be offered September 28, 29, 30 and October 1. To learn more, contact the Pathways Hospice volunteer office by email or by calling 292-2378.
Education Corner: Advice from Local Professional Advisors
The Fourth Leg of the Table by Bruce Debosky, J.D.
"The Fourth Leg of the Table" informs philanthropic advisors in how to enhance the work of other trusted advisors and help clients achieve their philanthropic goals. This article explains how families and individuals often have three of the four "legs of the table" in making philanthropic decisions, but need the fourth to be effective philanthropists. Read more...
Bruce DeBoskey, J.D. is the founder of The DeBoskey Group, a Denver-based philanthropic advising firm that helps families, businesses and foundations organize, strategize and maximize the impact of their philanthropic initiatives. He writes a monthly column "On Philanthropy" for the Sunday Denver Post.
Hurricane Irene: How Can You Help?
When natural disasters strike, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado assists donors by calling attention to various relief efforts. The following efforts related to the recent effects of Hurricane Irene have come to our attention.
The Red Cross has prepared shelters along the East Coast and distributes supplies to areas in the storm's path. Donate online or by sending contributions to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington D.C. 20013.
The Salvation Army is providing food and drink as well as spiritual and emotional care to impacted residents between the Carolinas and New England. The organization has already provided about 45,000 meals through 30 mobile canteens. Donations can be made online.
Feed the Children is handing out critical supplies such as diapers, baby products, bottled water, cleanup supplies, and snacks to those impacted by Irene. To help support Feed the Children, make an online donation.
School Superintendent Donates $800,000 of Salary
Larry Powell, Superintendent of Fresno County school district, is forgoing $800,000 in compensation over the next three and a half years, or over $288,000 in annual salary and benefits, in order to generously give back to his community. He is technically retiring, allowing him to collect a six-figure annual pension, then will be rehired with a $31,000 salary that he will donate to charity.
Powell, who started his career as a high school civics teacher, has made anti-bullying his mission and hopes his act of generosity will "help restore faith in the government he once taught students to respect". His sacrifice was hailed an "absolute inspiration" by the US education secretary. This story was featured on MSNBC. Read more...
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:
Rachel's Challenge at Fossil Ridge High School focuses on helping students recognize their purpose in life. They will be issued five powerful challenges that are based on the writings and life of Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine School shootings in 1999. This program consists of an emotionally charged school assembly that will inspire every listener towards a life of kindness and compassion. Their goal is to raise $88,000 to fund this program for four years. To make a tax deductible donation, send a check to FRHS Rachel's Challenge, Fossil Ridge High School, 5400 Ziegler Road, Fort Collins, CO 80528. Click here to view the brochure for more information.
Nonprofits fill significant roles in our communities and the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center strives to serve nonprofit organizations in and around Estes Park. The Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center enables nonprofit organizations to achieve their goals by offering resources and educational opportunities. Capacity building, community, and collaboration are highly valued by EPNRC. Training workshops that highlight topics important to nonprofits are offered throughout the year. Click here to learn more about EPNRC or email director Christy Crosser.
ChildSafe Colorado provides comprehensive treatment to victims of child abuse, their non-offending family members and adults molested as children. Treatment includes individual, group and family therapy, in addition to nutrition information and physical activity. Seventy-one percent of ChildSafe clients are very low income and fall at the lowest end of the organization’s sliding scale ($00.00/session). ChildSafe is continually seeking funding in order to provide treatment to all clients. For more information, please contact Jane Bradley by email or by calling 472-4133, ext. 205.
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.