Look around Boulder County and you’ll be struck by the number of active people: cyclists with sponsorships, people who bike to work and shower there, runners, climbers and everyday people walking on miles of Open Space trails. But until the expansion of Medicaid under...
Welcome to TRENDS online. The Community Foundation Boulder County was four years old in 1995 when it “incubated” the Civic Forum and supported the work that led to TRENDS. Today, the Community Foundation – your foundation – is a trusted community catalyst that ignites...
High school graduation rates hit a six-year high in 2016, both in Boulder County and across the state, in large part because more Latino and economically disadvantaged students were graduating on-time. That’s a promising trend for poor and minority students,...
As you get older, do your best to keep yourself in shape. If you are unable to get up from the floor unassisted, work on strengthening your legs. Local rec centers offer classes under the Silver Sneakers program. A physical therapist can also help with balance and...
The upcoming TRENDS Report provides a clear-eyed perspective on the opportunities that lie before us – and how each one of us can make a difference to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Boulder County home. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce the October...
The City of Boulder has a reputation for being a liberal political stronghold. The county has that reputation as well, to varying degrees. While Republicans dominated the 2016 election nationally, Democratic support locally picked up steam. Registered Democrats...
Boulder County’s elected leadership, and its advisory boards and commissions, are not reflective of the racial and ethnic diversity of the county as a whole. In 1990, 93 percent of the county’s residents were Anglo, or non-Hispanic white. By 2015, more than 20 percent...
Giving back is in Leslie Allen’s blood. “Both of my parents were teachers,” she said. “Both came from exceedingly challenging circumstances. One was abandoned as a baby, raised in an orphanage, and drafted to the front lines of Korea. My mother’s mom died early and...
.J. Heyman noticed something was different about Boulder County soon after moving here from the San Francisco Bay area in 1993. “I was surprised to hear little talk of giving back – as had been my experience in other places I’ve lived or worked. Not only in San...
Inspiring early-stage corporate philanthropy, Pledge 1% Colorado is a network of entrepreneurs who share a common commitment to give back. A movement with roots at the Community Foundation, Pledge 1% connects young companies’ future success to philanthropy by allowing...
What motivates people to give of their time, talent or treasure? Why do people commit to making a difference in the world? Although there are hundreds of stories about why people give, Jennie Arbogash believes they fall into five categories: A sense of social justice...
Jennie Arbogash’s parents struggled to make ends meet. And yet, she was raised in a generous family and community. “Even when we had very little when I was young, my mom still drove seniors to doctor’s appointments,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here today without the...
While Boulder County is generally perceived to be open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, our LGBTQ community faces persistent challenges. That’s why donors like Tom Hay and his partner, Mark Hinson, have designated a portion of their estates to...
Local volunteer activity remained high in 2017, with 55 percent donating their time to some sort of organization, according to the Community Foundation’s survey. This was up from 45 percent volunteer participation in 2015 and 51 percent in 2013. The national volunteer...
Work locally. Don’t be distracted by the political drama on the national level. Choose a local cause you feel passionate about and focus on helping that one cause. Be willing to live with a slower pace of change. Tell the story of the local cause you care about....
Let’s just say Denice Walker is civically engaged. Since moving to Boulder County in 1980, she has had a career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, received a Master’s Degree in religious studies and a PhD in media studies – both from The...
Marta Moreno isn’t surprised to hear that racial and ethnic minorities and immigrants from other countries remain Boulder County’s most marginalized populations. Every day, the founder of el Comite de Longmont helps immigrants by referring them to legal assistance,...
Build authentic, firsthand relationships by volunteering for organizations such as Intercambio. Join a rapid response network. Invite an organization to speak to your congregation or school about what’s at stake for so many. Find out where your elected officials stand...
Alex Johnstone works in the gig economy, but not in the most recent sense of the term, which often means driving for Uber. He plays music, specifically fiddle and mandolin, with a group called RapidGrass. “I’ve been gigging for a living since 2001,” he said. It’s...
How’s this for finding your bliss? Reliving your favorite childhood pastimes in a more artistic way. Here’s what Nancy Smith, Founder of Frequent Flyers in Boulder, had to work with as source material: “I spent my childhood climbing trees, swinging on swings and going...