Small Grants. Big Impact: How Donor Giving Restores Dignity and Stability

Financial support from the Broomfield Community Foundation (BCF) allows partner organizations such as Broomfield FISH to respond quickly when our neighbors face urgent, often unexpected, challenges. Thanks to the support from BCF, I’ve been able to help individuals meet critical needs that go far beyond food. 

I am currently working with a family who had been unhoused and sleeping in their car for several months. The family secured housing two months ago and needed home essentials. BCF approved my request for the purchase of beds for the family, which includes a 12 year old child. We all know how vital it is to have a good night’s sleep and that has been made possible by donors to the BCF grant fund.

Also thanks to the Broomfield Community Foundation, a FISH Participant recently received vital grant support to cover final apartment lease payments after an unexpected mental health emergency forced them to end their lease early. This assistance prevented damage to their rental record and helped ensure they’ll have access to stable housing in the future, offering hope during a very difficult and challenging time.

These may seem like small things, but they are truly GINORMOUS acts of generosity that restore stability and confidence and allow for room to just catch one’s breath. Each time I can tell someone, “Yes! We can help or know who can,” it reinforces to me that our community truly stands behind our neighbors who need it most. These grants remind our neighbors that they’re not alone and that directed compassion really can change the course of someone’s life. I am extremely grateful to BCF and their donors. Thank you.

~Tangi Lancaster, Bilingual Participant Advocate, Broomfield FISH

This November, during Broomfield Gives Month, your gift to the Broomfield Community Foundation will be matched $1-for-$1 (up to $60,000)—doubling your impact for neighbors who need it most.

Together, we can strengthen the local safety net that makes Broomfield such a special place to call home.

- Give today at broomfieldgives.org
- Does your employer match gifts? Use our EIN 84-1246756 to triple your impact!



Record Number of Human Services Grant Applications - thank you Volunteers!

In Q4 2025, the Foundation received 12 more Human Services grant applications than last year—68 in total, reflecting the growing needs of our community. While we aren’t able to fulfill every request, our dedicated review committees are working thoughtfully to ensure each dollar makes the greatest possible impact.

We’re deeply grateful for our many community volunteers who read and evaluate applications, then gather in person to discuss scores and make final recommendations.

The Basic Needs review committee is not pictured here, but the weight on their shoulders is great, with food insecurity on the rise in Broomfield County, and the federal government shutdown making the situation even harder for local families. The continued shutdown is putting a pause on SNAP benefits in November, decreasing food access to 100s of individuals. Just below this article, you'll find hyperlinks to support local food pantries.

Senior-focused review committee members pictured in the top group include Chris Roarty, Mya Sapiens, Christy Campbell (Board Member), Julie Twiss, Lindsey White, and Bill Muirheid.

Education-focused review committee members pictured in the bottom group include Debbie Ytterberg (Board Member), Venita Dye, Mary Wilkie, Jami Yazdani, and Cindy Miller.

If you’re interested in serving on a 2026 grant review team, please complete this FORM.

Ensuring No One Goes Hungry

As we head into November and approach the Thanksgiving season, now is a critical time to support food access in our community. Because of the current interruption in SNAP benefits, we strongly encourage you to make a financial gift to one of our partner food banks — Broomfield FISH, Community Food Share, or North Denver Cares Food Pantry — to strengthen the safety net for Broomfield County families.

Monetary donations are especially effective because food banks can purchase food in bulk across their networks, stretching every dollar further and getting fresh, healthy options to those who need them most.

What’s Happening with SNAP?

SNAP is the federal program that helps low-income households buy groceries. In Broomfield alone, 100s of individuals rely on SNAP. However, due to the current federal government shutdown, states have been instructed to pause SNAP benefit payments for November until additional funding is released.

While government budget debates may be political in origin, the impact for our neighbors is immediate and non-partisan: when SNAP benefits are delayed, local families face hard choices between buying groceries and paying rent, and food banks see surges in demand. 

How Your Support Makes a Difference

• A financial gift helps food banks respond now — filling gaps that SNAP typically covers.
• These organizations can leverage bulk buying, volunteer networks, and coordinated distribution to get food where it’s needed.
• Your contribution supports neighbors of all ages — children, seniors, working families — who are feeling the ripple effects of delays or reductions in assistance.
• Giving now means we’re better prepared for holiday months when demand tends to rise.

If You—or Someone You Know—Needs Help

If you need food right now, you are not alone—and help is available. Find local pantry hours and programs at Food Finder Map.

We Invite You to Act

This Thanksgiving season, you have the power to uplift our community. Donate today to a local food bank and share the message with friends and family — when SNAP waivers, the community steps up.

Let’s ensure that in Broomfield County, no one goes hungry.

Applications Now Open for

Legacy High School Football Players

The Jimmy Griffin Memorial Scholarship is in memory of Jimmy Griffin, who was a Legacy High School junior and a member of the football team who passed away in a car accident in the Fall of 2003.

The scholarship was designed around Jimmy’s compassion for others, his ability for laughter and his selflessness. It is his legacy for which this scholarship was created.

This is a one-time $2000 scholarship per recipient for a Legacy High School Senior football player. The application deadline is November 14, 2025.

The Foundation is proud to administer scholarship funds created by generous individuals, families, corporations, and organizations dedicated to supporting education in our community. These scholarships help students achieve their academic goals beyond high school—offering crucial financial assistance that makes higher education more accessible and equitable for all.

Administering scholarships and expanding opportunities takes dedicated staff and resources. If the spirit moves you, please consider contributing to our Broomfield Gives Month Matching fundraising campaign. Your support helps sustain the programs and partnerships that make these scholarships—and so much more—possible.

Giving with Purpose: How a Donor-Advised Fund Can Simplify and Amplify Your Impact

“Engaging our community through financial giving and volunteerism brings great meaning to our family. Partnering with the Broomfield Community Foundation to create a donor-advised fund to help facilitate this giving was a great choice for us. Our local Foundation is an excellent source to support and connect with nonprofits that are doing critical work in the community we call home.”
— Jade and Jorin Bale

What is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving account—similar in concept to a 529 educational savings account, but for philanthropy. You make a contribution to your fund, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from that fund to nonprofit organizations over time.

At the Broomfield Community Foundation, we serve as your local DAF provider—handling the administrative details, recordkeeping, and reporting, so you can focus on what matters most: giving back to the causes that inspire you.

Why Establish a Donor-Advised Fund with the Foundation?

A DAF is an ideal tool for individuals, families, and businesses who want to be strategic and organized in their giving. Here’s why:

• Simple & Convenient: Like a 529 plan, your contributions are invested and managed for long-term growth, but you maintain flexibility in when and where you give.
• Immediate Tax Benefits: Receive an income tax deduction in the year you contribute, even if you distribute grants later.
• Centralized Giving: Support multiple nonprofits through one easy-to-manage account—with regular statements provided by the Foundation.
• Family Engagement: Involve children or other loved ones in charitable decision-making, creating a shared legacy of generosity.
• Community Connection: Partnering with your local community foundation ensures your giving stays close to home and responsive to local needs.

To learn more about starting a donor-advised fund, email info@broomfieldfoundation.org. We’ll reach out to schedule a coffee date or virtual conversation—whatever you prefer.

Spotlight on First Interstate Bank:

A Business Impact Partner and thoughtful Employer

Recently, Broomfield Community Foundation was honored to receive a generous $5,000 gift from First Interstate Bank, presented by Lisa Gouran, VP and Retail Hub Manager. This gift enhances our grantmaking capabilities, enabling us to support the nonprofits that provide vital services to our neighbors in need.

First Interstate Bank’s impact extends far beyond its financial contributions. The company encourages its staff to be active volunteers in their communities—offering paid time for service and providing a charitable matching gift program. Locally, their team recently volunteered at Broomfield FISH, putting their values into action.

We are especially grateful for Lisa’s years of leadership on the BCF Board of Directors, where her expertise and passion for community have helped guide the Foundation forward.

It’s worth noting that when employees don’t take advantage of matching gift programs, valuable dollars are left on the table—funds that nonprofits urgently need, especially now as traditional grant funding has significantly declined. By utilizing these programs, employees can effectively double their impact and support more neighbors.

To learn how your business can become a Business Impact Partner, click the blue button below or email dion@broomfieldfoundation.org. Consider having a conversation with the younger working people in your life about taking advantage of Employer Match Programs.

Together, with partners like First Interstate Bank, we can keep generosity and community connection strong here in Broomfield.