How does one become a philanthropist? What galvanizes someone to invest in community needs and gaps? The NoCo Changemakers cohort is learning those things and more as part of the NoCo Foundation’s newest initiative. Thanks to their partner, the Bohemian Foundation, they have launched a class for emerging philanthropists on how to create a meaningful impact in their community. NoCo Changemakers is a NextGen philanthropic program designed to empower the next generation of changemakers and provide firsthand grantmaking experience. With Colorado Gives Day celebrated on Dec. 10, 2024, learning more about philanthropy and community impact has never been more timely.
The inaugural class started this fall and includes the following professionals:
- Curtis Carlson – Vice President Commercial Banking at Adams Bank & Trust
- Megan Hiltner – Principal at JSI
- Jeramie Holt – SVP/Director of Employee Benefits at FNIC Trusted Advisors
- Haley Hummel – Financial Advisor at Investment Center Advisor Group
- Reed Johnson – Financial Advisor & Director at LPG Financial
- Blake McBartlett – Principal Agent at MCM Collective | Compass
- Jack McCool – Banking Officer at FirstBank
- Ricardo Perez – Inclusion & Engagement Emergency Management Coordinator at Larimer County Office of Emergency Management
- Jessica Plummer – Program Manager at Larimer County Behavioral Health Services
- Lauren Rhoades – Financial Manager at Homeward Alliance
- Marissa Riopelle – VP, Banking Manager at First Western Trust
- Colby Ripsam – LPL Financial Advisor at Peakview Wealth Management
- Paul Schnaitter – Partner/Broker Associate at The Group, Inc.
- Nathan Scott – Auctioneer/Community Relations Specialist at Foothills Gateway
Classes are held each month for half a day from the fall through the spring. Throughout the interactive half-day sessions, participants learn:
- The philanthropic landscape and local nonprofit ecosystem.
- Grantmaking strategies, proposal evaluation and industry trends.
- Advocacy, policy influence and driving systemic change.
- Innovative philanthropic tools like DAFs, foundations and impact investing.
- Insights from renowned local and national grantmakers.
- Collaborative grantmaking and collective decision-making.
- Development of their personal philanthropic legacy.
To give participants firsthand grantmaking experience, a portion of the program fee goes toward collective grantmaking. At the end of the program, the Changemakers will be able to collaborate on what nonprofits to fund. The NoCo Foundation is excited to have launched this NextGen philanthropic program and even more excited to see how the first cohort helps impact local communities. Watch for information on how to apply for the second class of NoCo Changemakers in the summer of 2025 at nocofoundation.org.