Destination Downtown Loveland

Last week's Destination Downtown Loveland event attended by about 200 people provided evidence of a desire to see Downtown Loveland progress at a more rapid pace.

We came away with a better sense of how a downtown establishes an important brand for the entire community and shapes the community's overall image in a way that impacts economic development, the arts and other quality of life issues.

I was struck by the fact that all six members of the panel referred to the importance of public-sector leadership in laying the groundwork that attracts private investment. Bill Hudnut, the former four-term mayor of Indianapolis, said that city leadership needs to steer the boat, and the private sector needs to row.

But the advantages of a vibrant downtown are not so easily calculated, and not so obvious to the general public. Simply looking at the prospects for increased sales tax revenue does not go deep enough to fully appreciate the long-term benefits of a healthy downtown. And while most of us came away from last week's event feeling a little better educated on the subject, I wonder if additional information is still needed? I wonder if a clearer vision and a more specific plan for Downtown Loveland is required? And, I wonder if the community at large is sufficiently convinced of Downtown's importance?

When Bill Hudnut developed a vision for the revitalization of Downtown Indianapolis, it's clear from the stories he shared that he was indeed leading the way ― not responding to a public outcry for a better downtown. Neither was there a popular demand to see Loveland host a world-class sculpture show when that vision was developed.

Visionary thinking rarely bubbles to the top of popular demand, but most people recognize it when they see it and respond accordingly. Ultimately, leadership requires followers if progress is to be made. Some progress is being made, and clearly Downtown is not without some level of vision and support. Indeed the City appears to be on the verge of putting more money into Downtown than ever. The question is simply how far do we want to go, and how fast? While downtowns are always a work in progress, it is obvious that places like Downtown Boulder, Downtown Arvada, LoDo and Old Town have "arrived." Is this something we will be able to say about Downtown Loveland in the years to come?

The Loveland Downtown Team (a group of Council members, City staff, business owners and interested citizens) is perhaps the most obvious group from which an even more compelling vision for Downtown Loveland could emerge. But, elevating the vision for Downtown is a goal to which all of us can contribute. Destination Downtown Loveland was just one effort to make that vision visible. Let's hope there are many more such efforts to come.

Special thanks to all those who submitted questions to the forum participants at the Nov. 13 event. While we are not able to include all of the questions here, we hope that the following thoughts will encourage an online conversation. Please post your comments on one or more of these questions.

• Would redevelopment of downtown in our current economic challenge be the tonic to stimulate our local economy and position us for prosperity in the near future? Is the timing right for this?
• Describe the increased role government must play in encouraging development given the frozen credit markets and cost of new construction.
• How important is an independent entity such as a downtown development authority?
• How do we get off dead-center, stop doing studies and implement more?
• What is a typical redevelopment financial partnership between the public and private sectors?
• Should we bond to accomplish our goals financially?
• What will be the attraction either in products or venues for which residents will want to come to downtown, which is not already offered within the city?
• Years ago, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce moved out of downtown after working on getting the Civic Center passed downtown. They are now out by I-25. Does the Chamber of Commerce usually have a role in downtown redevelopment? How could it be involved?
• What is Loveland doing to bring light rail, or other transport, to us and through us?
• How do the downtown Loveland groups gain the support, interest and commitment of our City Council?
• How can downtown development (and redevelopment) be put on equal financial footing with large mall developments?
• What is the overall assessment of the success of Lincoln Place Apartments? Is there a demand for more similar projects?
• What is the makeup and state of the current, if any, downtown planning committee?

How can you get involved?

• Respond to this blog or email a letter to the editor to the Loveland Reporter-Herald (news@reporter-herald.com) to share your thoughts with others.
• Contact the City Manager’s office (lvld@ci.loveland.co.us) for a schedule of Loveland Downtown Team meetings, and take the time to attend.
• Talk to your City Council Member about his or her views on Downtown.
• Let the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado know of your interest in Downtown, and we will keep you informed.

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

VolunTourism, A Different Way of Giving

I have been extremely fortunate to work as an intern for the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Throughout my time here, I have witnessed the selflessness of local residents and how all forms of giving can have a great impact. Though we work mainly with monetary donation at the Foundation, you can also give your time and energy.

Many people are trying to fit in a few last activities, and possibly a vacation, as summer comes to a close. If a vacation is in your plans, why not try VolunTourism? A volunteer travel vacation gives you the opportunity to have an adventure and see the sights, all while making a difference.

For the past two years I have participated in a program at CSU called Alternative Spring Break. Through this program I was able to combine two of my passions: service work and travel.
This alternative vacation led me to Panama, where my group and I built trails one year and a museum the next. Our work helpeded increase eco-tourism in the small rural town of Achiote, which relies on tourism as one of its largest sources of income.

Not only were we able to see the local sights (Panama Canal, bird watching tours, and yes, some time on the beach), but we were also able to make long-lasting relationships amongst ourselves and within Achiote. You make a lasting impression on the people you meet through your selflessness and hard work.

Does this sound like something fun and worthwhile? You, too, can take a volunteer vacation and make a difference!

Wish the yellow pages had a section on volunteer travel? Look no further than Volunteer Vacations by McMillon, Cutchins, and Geissinger. This book is a directory of volunteer travel organizations, both state-side and abroad. There are also numerous websites, so getting started on planning your next VolunTourism trip is easy! Why wait?

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Written By: Kristin Lubbers, Intern, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Advantages of a Donor Advised fund over a Private Foundation

Dave Edwards’ June 20th blog referred briefly to the cost of setting up a private foundation versus creating a Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.

There are several cost-specific reasons why establishing a Community Foundation charitable fund might make more sense than creating a private foundation, and anyone contemplating creating a charitable fund would do well to consider the differences between the two options.

Organization Costs: Setting up a private foundation requires creating a new organization, applying for tax-exempt status, paying filing fees and incurring legal and accounting expenses. None of these requirements apply to establishing a Community Foundation fund.

Tax Deductions: Gifts to the Community Foundation of closely held long-term appreciated stock at its fair market value can be deducted up to 30% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) while the same gift to a private foundation may be limited to a deduction of only up to 20% of AGI.
Likewise, cash gifts to the Community Foundation can be deducted up to 50% of AGI versus only 30% of AGI for gifts made to private foundations.

Tax Payments: Funds established with the Community Foundation incur no taxes and all IRS reporting requirements are handled by the Foundation's staff at no extra charge to you. Private foundations require the filing of annual reports and payment of up to 2% of the foundation’s investment income and net realized capital gain.

Those who are trying to minimize both their upfront and ongoing costs, as well as the administrative burden of managing a charitable fund, owe it to themselves to consider a Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation.

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Written By: Wynne Odell, Board of Trustee Chair, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Looking at Glade from a Broader Perspective

I have been following the Glade Reservoir debate with the hope that a solution will emerge that satisfies concerns about the river’s long-term health and unifies the majority of Fort Collins and Larimer County residents.

As currently framed, the discussion seems to pit two starkly-divided groups against each other in a winner-take-all contest.

Is it possible that those of us who question the Glade project would be wiser to broaden the discussion to include a middle ground?

Because residences in Fort Collins and northern Larimer County will receive little or none of the water produced by Glade, perhaps we should ask what we will receive if it is built?

Shouldn’t we be doing everything possible to make sure it is structured in a way that contains the best possible mitigation elements to maximize the health of the river?

Shouldn’t we be asking how recreational uses of the new reservoir and surrounding land should be structured, and how the proponents of Glade can enhance this aspect of the project?

How can we improve upon the notorious stretch of U.S. 287 that will be re-routed if the reservoir is built?

The newly-routed highway would cover much of the distance between Fort Collins and the new Soapstone Prairie Natural Area – a stunning 18,000-acre site with 25 miles of trails. Can we make this section of U.S. 287 safer and perhaps even add a bike lane?

Yes, many of us still have concerns about the project. However, my greatest concern is that the permit will be issued without the two sides negotiating an arrangement that serves Larimer County in the best possible way.

Here are just a few of the recent articles about the proposal for Glade Reservoir that describe both the pros and cons of the project.

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/OPINION04/806050342/1014/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

http://www.fortcollinsnow.com/article/20080501/NEWS/324827552/1008&parentprofile=1054

http://www.rmchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2190&Itemid=61

http://origin.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8664957

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/01/reservoir-likely-would-hurt-habitat-feds-say/

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Written By: Ray Caraway, President, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

UniverCity Connections' Homeless Initiative: Next Steps

If you are like me, then you love to cross things off your “To-Do” list as you complete them. That sense of accomplishment, of being able to say, “That’s finished!” is no small thing to me.

Likewise, the UniverCity Connections’ Homeless Initiative Task Group is glad to report several accomplishments as we now eagerly wait to cross the huge “to-do” off our list.

As the UniverCity Connections initiative formed, concerns about the potential impact on the area homeless and near-homeless came to light. Soon after, an anonymous donor generously provided a grant to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado to sponsor research of best practices in addressing the many complex factors surrounding homelessness. And with that, the Homelessness Initiative Task Group was formed.

We developed a three-part vision that gave direction to the “to-do” list for our Task Group:

1. Promote integration of the Homelessness Initiative’s vision into all UniverCity Connections initiatives.

• Secured a grant from the UniverCity Connections Steering Committee, with funding provided by the City of Fort Collins, to develop a presentation re: general homelessness awareness and the HI vision


• Made presentations to a majority of the UniverCity Connections Task Groups

2. Using a grant from the anonymous donor, sponsor research on strategies that best address the needs of the homeless and near-homeless populations in order to end homelessness.

• Recruited new members with a greater understanding of local needs re: homelessness and near-homelessness


• Hired Dr. Jamie Van Leeuwen, project manager for Denver’s Road Home, to conduct best practices research


• Dr. Van Leeuwen was keynote speaker to all UniverCity Connections participants at the April meeting

3. Use the research and recommended action steps to create a Homelessness Plan with prioritized actions.

As you can see, we’ve been plugging away at getting our to-do list completed. Dr. Van Leeuwen has presented his first draft to the HI task group, and we will soon get the word out to all UniverCity Connections stakeholders.

Then the real work will begin as our community comes together to develop a Homelessness Plan – an exciting milestone for our community!

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Written By: Heather Meyer, Member, UniverCity Connections Homelessness Initiative Task Group

Reflections on a Great Year

My two-year term as chair of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado’s Board of Trustees just ended. As I said to the board, this has been the most fun volunteer position I’ve ever had.

The trustees are committed community leaders. Ray Caraway, our president, is passionate about his Community Foundation work. Our staff has a “can do, will do” attitude.

With UniverCity Connections, we have demonstrated the Community Foundation can be a neutral convener. With our Homelessness Initiative, which came out of UniverCity Connections, we’ve shown we can address community issues and find solutions. In just weeks, the Homelessness Initiative will publish a “Report to the Community,” funded by the Community Foundation.

In the past six years, the Community Foundation has more than doubled in size from $14 million to $40 million in assets. We are on track to meet our strategic goal of $50 million by the end of the decade. The Foundation’s credibility and reputation has grown tremendously.

But we have to get out the message that the Community Foundation is not the “end user” of charitable donations.

The Community Foundation helps create a long-term endowment to meet the needs of the future. When an individual, family or business establishes a Donor Advised fund with us, their gift is tax-deductible. The gift is invested, and the fund receives the investment return. The donors can then make charitable grants from the fund to any eligible charities they choose.

Those charities are the “end user” of the donation. The Foundation is a way to create an endowment, and it therefore becomes a legacy.

The Community Foundation’s recent success is because we’ve come to learn we are a donor-driven organization. Our vision statement is “We help people achieve philanthropic dreams.”

The startup costs and ongoing costs of a private foundation are significant and eat into charitable assets. Establishing a Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation is easy, flexible and fun. DonorCentral, our online donor portal, makes your fund records available on a daily basis, and you can make grant requests online. You can choose to be acknowledged for your grants or give anonymously.

The Foundation staff is here to serve you. Talk to Ray Caraway to see how the Community Foundation can help you!

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Written By: Dave Edwards, Past Chair

Dave Edwards: A Model of Collaboration

On June 12, United Way of Larimer County honored one of our region’s most inspiring leaders. As the recipient of the Doris McKellar Community Collaborator Award, Dave Edwards was recognized as a great communicator who has an unusual ability to bring people together around a common mission.

The Community Foundation is just one local agency that has benefited from Dave’s leadership. At the end of June, he will complete a two-year term as Chair of our Board of Trustees, and a total of five years of service to this organization. It is clear that his work will have a long-term impact on our organization.

Ray Caraway wrote the following in his letter to United Way in support of Dave’s receipt of the Doris McKellar award:

Dave’s ability to build community stems from exceptional insight, sheer determination, and the respect of others that results from years of community leadership. Dave is a former City of Fort Collins council member and is among the most active alumni leaders at Colorado State University. He’s supported numerous local nonprofits as a board member and philanthropist and invested hundreds of hours as a volunteer

Most recently, Dave has shown exceptional leadership as a co-founder and co-chair of UniverCity Connections, a unique public-private community initiative convened by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Approximately 200 community leaders have participated in UniverCity Connections, including the president of CSU, the Fort Collins mayor, the Fort Collins city manager, the head of the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority and numerous nonprofit, civic, business and community leaders. Few people have the credibility to bring such a group together and keep them at the table long enough to build consensus around important community issues.

On behalf of all who have had the privilege of working and serving with Dave, we extend our congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition!

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Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Region Helps Windsor Recover

On the morning of May 22, 2008, my family boarded a flight from Denver to Washington D.C. During the trip, we joked and relaxed, settling into vacation mode and anticipating our son’s debut as the ring bearer in Cousin Sheldon’s wedding.

After disembarking the plane at approximately 2:20 p.m. EST, we walked past a TV playing CNN. I was stunned to hear the announcer say that a huge tornado had just struck the Town of Windsor.

There are no words to describe the level of fear I felt when I saw video footage depicting the destruction in our town. As a 10-year resident of Windsor, I recognized the buildings that had been leveled by the storm, and I immediately knew that our region would feel the long-term impact of this rare tornado for years to come.

In the following hours, our cell phones rang incessantly. Friends and family from across the country had seen the national news reports and were calling to check on our family. At the same time, we tried to connect with friends back home in Windsor to check on their safety and the needs of their families.

We felt helpless being so far away, so we did what we could. We offered our home ― it would be empty for the week we were on vacation ― to those who might need a place to stay. I stayed in close communication with the Community Foundation office to help coordinate information and relief efforts. And we read every online report we could find in an effort to mentally prepare for our arrival back in Windsor.

I’ve since joked that I’ve never taken an eight-day vacation that felt more like a month. While I enjoyed my time with family, my mind and heart were back in Northern Colorado.

As I spoke with friends, family, and co-workers, one thing became abundantly clear: Northern Colorado was rallying around the Town of Windsor, and this disaster would not destroy our spirits. The rebuilding efforts will take time, but Windsor is already showing signs that it will emerge stronger than ever.

On behalf of Windsor residents, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Colorado National Guard, United Way of Larimer and Weld counties, the Centennial Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County, law enforcement agencies, fire/rescue teams, and many others for their leadership in local relief efforts. As I returned to town and saw your work in action, I was overcome with gratitude. The Town of Windsor will recover thanks to the generosity and commitment of so many.
__________________________________________________________________

Here are several ways to make a tax-deductible donation in support of Windsor recovery efforts:

1. Donate to the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County. Monies raised will assist individuals through an application process.
   
2. Donate to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Distributions from our Disaster Relief Fund will be coordinated with the Town of Windsor and the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County.

• Recommend a grant from your Donor Advised fund by sending an email to Roxanne Fry indicating the amount.
  
• Send a check payable to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado with “Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line (mail it to 4745 Wheaton Dr., Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80525.)
  
• Make a credit card donation using our secure online donation page (indicate “Disaster Relief Fund” in the Comments field.)
  

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Written By: Roxanne Fry, Chief Operating Officer, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado

Brenna's Story: Learning to Trust Again

When I came to Larimer Center for Mental Health about a year ago, I knew that I had found a place where lives weren’t only made better, but were completely transformed.

At Larimer Center for Mental Health, we serve more than 4,000 people every year, and 35% of those served are children and adolescents.

These are big numbers, but behind the numbers are real children. Children like 9-year old Brenna.

Brenna was a scared, cautious, withdrawn, and angry girl when we first met her. In fact, Brenna wouldn’t even speak when she first arrived at the Center. Having suffered years of violent abuse, Brenna was used to bruises, broken bones, hurtful words and angry voices.

And, while all of that was reason enough for Brenna to need our help, she had suffered something even worse.

One night, at home with her stepfather, Brenna watched while he beat her 4-year-old sister to death.

Brenna’s mom did nothing to protect her younger daughter, and nothing to protect Brenna from also being violently beaten or from witnessing the horrific scene.

And so Brenna just shut down.

After months of intensive play therapy, we were able to help Brenna talk about what she had seen and experienced. No amount of therapy could change Brenna’s past, but Brenna learned how to handle her anger and communicate her feelings. She started attending school again, and learned how to make friends. She found joy in artwork and in reading.

She discovered that Superman was her favorite superhero because he also knew what it meant to lose someone he loved.

But most importantly, Brenna had learned to trust again. Living with adoptive foster parents, Brenna was able to grieve the loss of her sister and cope with the reality of never seeing her mom again.

Our therapists not only worked with Brenna, but began intensive work with her new family to help them know how to parent this traumatized little girl.

We taught them how Brenna’s trauma might lead to behavior problems and what warning signs to look for. We taught them how to help Brenna through her hard days, and how to help her celebrate her achievements.

Today, Brenna’s therapist says that she’s one of the most loving children she’s ever known. And she says, “I hope that Brenna grows up knowing that in her darkest hours there were adults who cared about her and did all they could to keep her safe.”

Larimer Center for Mental Health wants to ensure that everyone who suffers from mental illness has the treatment they need and deserve.

The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado is helping us meet this goal by supporting our efforts to build the LCMH Endowment Fund.

It has issued a generous challenge grant: for every $2 LCMH raises this year, the Community Foundation will give an additional $1, up to $70,000. Through the power of the Foundation, we can turn donations of $140,000 into $210,000!

If you would like to learn more about Larimer Center for Mental Health or its endowment fund, please contact LCMH at (970) 494-4226, or the Community Foundation at (970) 224-3462 or Roxanne@CommunityFoundationNC.org.

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Written By: Emily Dawson Petersen, Development and Marketing Director for Larimer Center for Mental Health.

The Value of Leaving a Legacy

“What we have contributed to others, to our families, to our community and the larger community is the legacy we leave.” ― as told to George Bailey by Clarence in It’s A Wonderful Life

Working to secure the long-term sustainability of a nonprofit organization can seem like an insurmountable task that is difficult, at times, to even consider. It is often a complicated challenge just to take care of the day-to-day duties that are involved in providing services to the community.

In 2007 alone, Hospice of Larimer County provided 46,607 days of direct hospice care to 943 patients and their family members. We also provided grief and bereavement support, education and counseling to community members struggling with the loss of a loved one more than 6,700 times.

The strategic planning, staffing, budgeting, marketing, and fundraising that is necessary to provide quality hospice care in Larimer and western Weld counties on a daily basis does not allow a great deal of time and resources to direct toward long-range sustainability.

With the assistance of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, however, we are making the efforts necessary to ensure the sustainability of our organization and the services we provide. Our goal is to secure the future of hospice care in our community and to encourage a philanthropic spirit that will direct charitable donations to Hospice of Larimer County. Such donations can be made via estate plans, bequests by will, retirement plan, remainder trust, gift annuity, or other planned gifts.

In working toward the goal of long-term sustainability, we have partnered with the Community Foundation to establish an endowment where we can direct charitable donations and gifts. The Community Foundation is committed to assisting us with growing our assets to meet both our current and future needs. To help with this, the Community Foundation has issued a challenge grant to us. They will contribute $1 to our endowment fund for every $2 we raise, up to $70,000. Therefore, if we can successfully raise $140,000 by the end of 2008, they will add $70,000, creating a total of $210,000 to be added to our endowment fund.

Our goal is to grow this fund to ensure funding for hospice care services that are not guaranteed through Medicare or other funding sources. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for helping us to establish an endowment and for this generous challenge grant. With their assistance and support, it has made what has seemed like an impossible task more feasible.

If you would like more information on the Community Foundation’s challenge grant to Hospice of Larimer County or our endowment fund, please contact Hospice of Larimer County at (970) 663-3500 or the Community Foundation at (970) 224-3462.

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Written By: Evan Hyatt, Development and Marketing Executive,

Hospice of Larimer County