Larissa may have only joined Community Foundation Boulder County’s staff this past spring, but her knowledge and passion for growing Boulder County’s philanthropic sector runs deep. Having lived in Boulder for nearly three decades, Larissa knows this community like the back of her hand! Since joining the community foundation team, Larissa has jumped right in to cultivate and support community-driven donors, build and foster relationships with professional advisors, and bring her supportive and caring spirit to everyone she meets. (She also drives a Vespa which invariably makes our staff at least 10% cooler overall.) Learn more about Larissa, her work in Boulder County and around the world, and why she believes in the work of Community Foundation Boulder County.
Can you start by telling us about yourself?
Boulder has been my home for nearly 30 years although I didn’t move permanently back until 2001. My family came first, while I was still in college, and after a few years of living overseas (Namibia and Tanzania) and in Telluride, I finally settled back here to do my master’s degree. I have raised my boys here — one is now a sophomore at the University of Utah and the other a junior at Boulder High, and my immediate family all live (relatively) close by. My career began with a focus on international issues, primarily in reproductive health, but soon, by nature of raising small children, I became more localized in my knowledge and work. I had known of the community foundation from early on and have been a long-time fan, trying to integrate myself into their team for years. After consulting over the years for a number of nonprofits and working for a foundation, I launched a business in philanthropic advising in 2016. The idea was originally seeded because of previous TRENDS reports in which the community foudnation reported on the low level of financial giving from Boulder County. I was determined to help try to make a difference. My donors were primarily local, some who even had funds at the foundation and so I became even more familiar with the team and their work. In the spring of 2024, a staff opportunity became available, and I happily took the position.
Why the community foundation?
I have admired the community foundation for so many years. I don’t even know how I first became aware — most probably in graduate school — and have been a cheerleader ever since. The position that the community foundation holds and the role it plays is so unique and necessary for the vitality of Boulder County. We are a convener, a grantmaker, a grant raiser, a wealth of knowledge, and a deep believer in the power of the collective.
What do you like best about your work as Director of Development?
I love working with donors and helping them strategize to make an impact in our community. Donors who choose to give to and open donor-advised funds with the community foundation are inherently more community-minded and driven which is so encouraging. I love helping donors learn about new organizations they may not have been familiar with and share the multitude of engagement opportunities that we have at the foundation.
What’s one thing you want the Boulder County Community to know about the foundation’s work?
We are here to work for, with, and because of Boulder County. We don’t exist without YOU. Our power is in the collective strength of our donors and volunteers who want to help us move the needle on the issues that mean the most but also that affect us and our neighbors. This community belongs to all of us and the community foundation offers opportunities for engagement to include all who want to participate.
Which of our values most resonates with you and why? (humanity, trust, collaboration)
Collaboration. Coming off my own business of being a one-woman show for many years, the collaborative nature of the foundation both within our walls and beyond deeply resonates with me. I love how interconnected and collaborative all of our internal departments are (programs/finance/development/communications) but also how we extend that into our work with our donors and affinity groups, nonprofits, professional advisors, and community partners.
What’s your favorite activity in Boulder County?
My favorite activity is probably running. Or yoga. Both bring me joy.
