“We’re really interested in strengthening any marginalized group.”
It all started about 18 years ago.
That’s when Randy Clapp and James Hoppe got involved with the Community Foundation’s Millennium Trust, which ignites action around some of our most urgent community concerns – from at-risk youth to economic disparities, health inequalities, the achievement gap, and more. From there, they rolled up their sleeves to support the foundation’s former Culture of Giving Junior Philanthropy program, and they’ve since contributed to our 15 Forever Fund, which promotes civic engagement and leadership among Boulder County youth.
“I grew up with the idea of helping others,” says Randy. “It was part of my upbringing.” Indeed, those early influences helped inspire the Twisted Foundation, through which the philanthropic duo has provided support to a range of community projects and local nonprofits (including some foundation grantees) – from the Boulder International Film Festival, the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, and Attention Homes to A Queer Endeavor (an initiative of the CU-Boulder School of Education focused on supporting teachers and communities around topics of gender and sexual diversity in education), and the foundation’s Open Door Fund (ODF).
“Over eight years, we brought about 20 kids to the [former] annual ODF gala,” continues Randy, who’s lived in the area since 1970. “We talked to kids before and after the event, our goal being to show kids who are possibly at risk that ‘it gets better.’
“When they see community leaders and politicians coming out in support of the LGBTQ community, and the contributions and successes of our community, we show them hope for the future.”
Singing the praises of Barbara Miller at the BVSD’s Manhattan School, James also references the couple’s support of Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in middle schools. These days, though, they’re concentrating much of their philanthropic endeavors on addressing adult and youth homelessness.
“Some kids get kicked out of their homes, or bullied at their schools because of their coming out,” Randy says, adding that about 30% of homeless youth served by Attention Homes are LGBTQ. “I experienced bullying in grade school, I know what that’s like. But now I’m in a position to help and make change, and we’re running into all these people and programs and organizations to help us make the change we want to see.”
James, who grew up in Kansas and has lived here close to 20 years, is equally vested in “doing what we can to help other people.” “We read the foundation’s TRENDS Report every year,” he says. “There are definitely surprises in there, and information to help inform our giving. For example, most people probably don’t know that runaway youth – often LGBTQ youth and-or youth of color – are 60% more likely to attempt suicide than other youth.”
“I hope their time is coming,” chimes in Randy. “We’re really interested in strengthening any marginalized group.”
