Project Self‑Sufficiency is proud to celebrate 40 years of empowering single-parent families and announces former longtime executive director Mary Carraher as the 2026 Vision Maker Award recipient. The award honors extraordinary community partners whose leadership and commitment advance the organization’s bold vision: that every low‑income single parent in Northern Colorado is self-powered to achieve lasting self‑sufficiency.
Since its founding in 1986, Project Self‑Sufficiency has relied on an ecosystem of dedicated partners—including donors, nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, businesses, investors and volunteers—to deliver life‑changing support. The Vision Maker Award, established in 2011, recognizes individuals and organizations whose contributions have meaningfully expanded that impact.
Past recipients include Janene Dellenbach (2011), Linda Clark (2012), Mary Fuller (2013), Tom Tonoli (2014), Friends of Project Self‑Sufficiency (2015), Loveland Housing Authority (2016), Cindy Bragdon (2017), United Way of Larimer County WomenGive (2018), Rotary Club of Fort Collins Foothills (2019), Houska Automotive (2020), Davis Glasgow (2021), Kerrie Luginbill and OTM (2022), Nicole Gawronski (2023), Larimer County Departments of Economic & Workforce Development and Human Services (2024) and Don Griffith and Gary Bragdon (2025).
This year’s honoree, Mary Carraher, served as executive director from 1989-2014. Over her 25 years of leadership, she guided Project Self‑Sufficiency from a small startup to a nationally respected, comprehensive model that has transformed the lives of thousands of single‑parent families. Carraher is recognized not only for building critical program infrastructure but also for championing the success of program graduates—an achievement she describes as her greatest source of pride.
“As we celebrate 40 years of generational impact, it is only fitting that we honor the woman who built the foundation for that impact,” says Tracy Mead, current CEO of Project Self‑Sufficiency. “Mary’s selflessness, her passion, her Energizer Bunny spirit—these qualities shaped this organization and continue to inspire our work today. Even now, she continues to mentor and guide me as we carry forward this profound and important mission.”
The community is invited to celebrate this milestone year and honor Mary Carraher at Bring the Power: Project Self‑Sufficiency’s 40‑Year Anniversary Celebration on March 12. The event will highlight four decades of transformed lives and reaffirm the organization’s commitment to supporting single‑parent families on their journey to self‑sufficiency.
Event information
- Event title: Bring the Power: 40‑Year Anniversary Celebration
- Date: March 12, 2026
- Time and location: 6-9 at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Loveland
- Tickets: bringthepower.org
