Weld Community Foundation

05/28/2026

Check out this incredible film from 2024 Arts Alive! Grant Recipient, Alexander Stephens of Rocket Steam Productions.

The film, titled Legacy: A Severance Fan Film, premiered in April at UNC's Michener Hall. After the screening, cast and crew participated in a panel discussion where they were joined by actor Marc Gellar who plays Kier Eagan in the Apple TV series. (Photo in the comments).

The Arts Alive! Grant application is open now and closes on June 1, 2026. This grant is for emerging artists in Weld County who are ready to take the next step in their artistic development or for nonprofits looking to enrich the arts in Weld County through a special interest project.

As Walter D, a severed employee at Lumon Industries Branch 634 in Colorado, begins to experience accelerating mental decline, the barrier separating his two selves starts to fail. Legacy: A Severance Fan Film is a true passion project, created by a team of devoted filmmakers and local actors in Colo...

05/13/2026

Each May, the Weld Community Foundation gathers to honor our scholarship recipients. It is one of our favorite nights of the year.

Students sit at tables with the donors who made their scholarships possible and the volunteers who read their applications and selected recipients. We hear from past scholarship recipients about the impact the award has had on their journey.

This year, the Foundation awarded over $596,000 in scholarships to Weld County students. Below is a collection of some of our favorite photos from the evening. To view the full gallery, please go to: https://adamsonimagery.pixieset.com/weldcommunityfoundationgradcelebration2026/

Congratulations to our 2026 Scholarship Recipients! We can't wait to see how you spread the good in your future!

05/01/2026

Congrats to our newest affiliate- the Johnstown-Milliken Community Foundation! If you're in the area, you can learn more about them here: https://weldcommunityfoundation.org/johnstown-milliken-community-foundation/

We are incredibly grateful to the Weld Community Foundation for their generous $10,000 matching grant to the Johnstown Milliken Community Foundation!

Because of the amazing support from our community at Mom Prom, we raised $10,000 and thanks to this match, that impact has now doubled to $20,000 going right back into our local community.

This is what partnership and community truly look like. Thank you for believing in the work we’re doing and helping us make an even greater difference right here at home. 💛

04/14/2026

A HUGE congratulations to Hispanic Women of Weld County for meeting their Endowment Challenge Goal!

Founded in 1988, Hispanic Women of Weld County strengthens the community by promoting and generating opportunities for the academic success of Latinas and Hispanic Women.

After being awarded the Nonprofit Endowment Challenge Grant in January 2026, Hispanic Women of Weld County had about two years to raise $10,000. It only took them about four months to meet their goal! The Weld Community Foundation then matched that funding dollar-for-dollar to establish an endowment.

Endowments serve as a reservoir of funding that can be drawn upon annually to create sustainable funding for an organization.

Congratulations to Hispanic Women of Weld County and thank you for spreading the good!

04/08/2026

Yesterday was special as the Foundation had the opportunity to host a thank-you celebration for the Weld Food Bank.

The quick story - donors Maggie and Rand Morgan recently established a charitable fund at the Foundation focused on random acts of kindness. The name says it all: The Maggie and Rand M Acts of Kindness Fund.

Each year, Foundation staff are invited to choose the act of kindness to be carried out. For this inaugural year, we felt it fitting to honor the Food Bank for the incredible work they’ve done in our community - not just this past year, but over many years.

The timing made it even more meaningful. It marked the 28th anniversary (to the day) of Bob O'Connor's leadership as he prepares to retire, and came just one day after Stephanie Gausch was named the incoming leader.

Gii Astorga shared a set of songs, and The Kress Cinema & Lounge provided a catered lunch—graciously donating the space as well, which helped amplify the gift.

We’re so deeply thankful for the Weld Food Bank and all they do for our community!

For tags:
Brittany Schmeeckle

04/03/2026

Here is a feel good Friday moment for you!

One week ago, The Weld Community Foundation presented Genesis Marrero with the $80,000 2026 Wilbert R. Wiedeman Scholarship for Windsor High School.

Genesis’ parents joined Foundation staff, committee members, and Windsor High School faculty to surprise her at her place of work. We want to extend a special thanks to her coworkers for helping us orchestrate the surprise!

This year, the selection committee interviewed eight outstanding finalists. Each had a story of dedication and accomplishment. Of these candidates, Genesis stood out for embodying the Wiedeman spirit.

Volunteer work has been a cornerstone of Genesis’ high school experience having served as a Link Crew leader, packed Christmas gifts with Serve 6.8, and lead Vacation Bible School at her church. The committee was extremely impressed with her service at the Children’s Hospital where she volunteers her time to provide childcare for the siblings of patients. She shared stories about creating a fun and welcoming environment to children who are going through a very scary time.

What stood out to the interview committee most about Genesis was the way that she used the hardships she has faced in life as motivation for the future. For example, her own experiences with speech therapy as a child have inspired her intended major: Speech Language Pathology. She spoke in her interview about being inspired by the hard work of her parents and her older brothers. As a first-generation student, Genesis has learned about the college world by watching her older siblings. (They couldn’t be there for the surprise, but she happily facetimed them immediately!)

Genesis also is deeply grounded in community receiving high praise from coworkers, family members, high school staff, and the volunteer coordinator at the Children’s Hospital. Her commitment to serving others was evident in her application where she wrote, “The value of service and volunteerism will remain a part of my future goals. My plan is to work with families from underserved multilingual communities, helping them build confidence in their development.”

Congratulations, Genesis. Your heart for service and love of community are inspiring to us all!

03/17/2026

Congrats to the recipients of this year's Endowment Challenge Grant! Azteca Boxing Club / The Greeley Chorale / Hispanic Women of Weld County

For the past several years, the Weld Community Foundation has offered an Endowment Challenge Grant for local nonprofits. Traditionally, starting an endowment with the Foundation requires an initial investment of $20,000. But for nonprofits awarded the Endowment Challenge, the starting point is $10,000. The Foundation then matches that investment with another $10,000.

With an endowment, these nonprofits are planting a tree that will give year after year, long into the future. Their endowment will become a steady stream of income. It can also become a natural home for estate gifts and complex contributions such as stocks, IRA QCDs, or real estate. In a sense, it tells the community: our work is rooted here, and it will continue to grow for generations to come.

In the Foundation's Stories of Good: March, we highlighted the nonprofits receiving this year’s Endowment Challenge. Each will have two years to raise the funds needed to establish their endowment—though several are already well on their way. Cheers to these organizations that help support, enrich, and strengthen Weld County!

Enjoy the full Stories of Good letter here: https://mailchi.mp/5a5421391386/stories-of-good-march?e=[UNIQID]

03/11/2026

It's the one of our favorite times of year at the Foundation: Scholarship Season!

On Monday night, we had the honor of presenting Weld County Senior Abigail Tovar with the $80,000 Wilbert R. Wiedeman Scholarship for Greeley Central High School.

Foundation staff, scholarship committee members, Central faculty, and over 25 of Abigail's family members surprised her at the District 6 School Board meeting where she serves on the Council of Student Representatives.

(Yes, over 25 family members and somehow no one told her!)

Watch the video to see the moment Abigail found out she won. Make sure to watch until the end to hear her describe what the scholarship will mean for her.

A bit more about the Wiedemans and Abby below:

Five years ago, the Weld Community Foundation received a generous gift from the family of Wilbert R. Wiedeman, creating the Wiedeman Scholarship in honor of Wilbert and his wife, Marge—two people deeply committed to civic life and community involvement. Marge was a proud Greeley High alum, and each year the scholarship recognizes an exceptional Greeley Central student who demonstrates leadership, initiative, and commitment to community. The award totals $80,000, helping a remarkable young person pursue their future.

This year, the selection committee interviewed eight outstanding finalists. Each had a story of dedication and accomplishment. But one student stood out for embodying the Wiedeman spirit: Abigail Tovar.

Abigail is a multi-sport athlete, thespian, AP Scholar, and student leader—including serving as Student Body President. Her impact on campus goes far beyond her résumé. Through the Caring for Our Watersheds competition, she helped bring a paper recycling program to Central, researching partners, designing systems to avoid contamination, and engaging fellow students so the program continues after she graduates.

During her interview, Abigail spoke with deep appreciation for District 6 and the community at Greeley Central. She shared that her greatest motivation comes from her family and the sacrifices they made to create opportunities for their children.

In her words: “I am a proud Mexican-American woman who is here because of the courage my parents had and my drive to make the most of what has been handed to me. When they saw an opportunity, they took it; I am going to do the same, and inspire those around me to do the same.”

We have no doubt she will.

Congratulations, Abigail. Your leadership and heart for community represent the very best of Weld County.

02/23/2026

Do you know a current High School Sophomore who is passionate about the community and looking to give back?

We are extremely excited to be piloting the Weld Community Foundation Youth Grantmaking Council this summer! This will be a one-week camp for incoming juniors to learn about the nonprofit world, visit Weld County nonprofits, and make funding decisions!

Please help us spread the word and encourage the students in your life to apply! Applications are due March 13.

The Youth Grantmaking Council is an opportunity for incoming high school juniors in Weld County to learn about nonprofits in their community and engage in funding decisions. We will meet for one week in the summer (June 22-26). During this time, we'll discuss issues facing our community, learn about...

02/10/2026

The Foundation is hosting an estate planning "lunch & learn" on Thursday, Feb 26. Need to make plans or could use a refresher? Join us: https://cfsgwc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ticket?edt_id=5739

We’ll spend our time with Brandon Houtchens, a local attorney with deep experience in estate planning and related matters. The session will be hosted at First Congregational in Greeley, and a complimentary lunch will be provided. It’s meant to be an approachable, informative time of learning, reflection, and connection.

Bio: Brandon B. Houtchens is a fourth-generation attorney who brings deep experience and a practical, client-focused approach to his legal practice. He works primarily with individuals and small businesses, offering guidance in estate planning, probate administration, business and commercial transactions, and landlord-tenant matters, while also advising larger organizations when needed. Brandon prepares wills, powers of attorney, and related documents, and represents clients through the probate process with clarity and care. Beyond his practice, he is deeply committed to the Weld County community, serving on several nonprofit and foundation boards and teaching Business Law at the University of Northern Colorado’s Monfort College of Business.