“…we’re always looking for opportunities to partner with others in our community, to make a greater impact than our giving achieves alone.”
Community collaborations are increasingly important to solve local concerns and anticipate future challenges, and Julie Shaffer – Executive Director of the Boulder-based Oreg Foundation – is among our valued community partners.
“Our first significant connection to the Community Foundation goes back to Social Venture Partners Boulder County,” recalls Julie. “I was an active member of SVP which, in turn, led to a strong connection to the foundation once SVP spun off to become its own entity. At that point, Oreg became a partner of the Community Foundation.”
Indeed, Julie describes Oreg’s annual commitment to the Community Foundation as key to expanding local philanthropy. “We value the attention that the Community Foundation brings to Boulder County nonprofits, and we want to leverage local giving and generosity by elevating the impact of our nonprofit community as a whole.
“That’s why we’re always looking for opportunities to partner with others in our community, to make a greater impact than our giving achieves alone.”
Case in point is the Oreg Foundation’s Milk and Honey Farm at the J – a 2+ acre educational sustainable farm at the Boulder Jewish Community Center that brings the community together via experiential programs and activities designed to ignite discovery and learning.
“In essence, we fund at the intersection of environmental issues and Jewish life,” Julie explains. “The farm exemplifies that, providing a place for community members to connect with soil, plants, animals…and each other.
“Our vision was to create a place for high-quality environmental programming and educational opportunities, as well as a synagogue and other opportunities for engagement with Jewish life. The Milk and Honey Farm is an important part of that vision.”
The farm, a project of the Oreg Foundation since 2016, boasts a geodesic dome and a barn where chickens and goats mingle with curious preschoolers.
“The greenhouse is where we cultivate and harvest food,” continues Julie. “The food that we grow offers the opportunity for kids to learn and experience food and cooking. Everything else is grown for donation to local nonprofits.”
According to Julie, the project harvested 2K pounds of food for Boulder Food Rescue – a Community Foundation grantee – last summer. The Oreg Foundation also collaborates with other local partners, including Growing Gardens (another Community Foundation grantee).
“The benefits of collaboration are many,” concludes Julie. “It makes it easier for those with shared interests to find one another, to inspire one another, and to make a greater impact. Partnerships also better highlight in our community the importance of preserving and protecting our environment, and the open space we all enjoy.
“The way we see it, the Community Foundation – in particular– is a megaphone for important issues in our community. And that’s a very important role.”
