GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

HEAR what motivates community member Dave Manely to be longtime donor.

If you would please indulge me one more acknowledgement of this year’s Heart of Broomfield Awards, as an honoree this year I wanted to take an opportunity to spotlight the organization that gives these awards and share a simple way to support Broomfield Community Foundation (BCF) with net rewards for dozens of local non-profits – many of which may touch your own life.

The BCF was created in 1993 by a group of local officials, business people and private citizens who identified five areas of concern:  education, the arts and humanities, human services, senior services, and civic projects. The idea was that pooling charitable contributions from across the city would ensure there would be financial support for our Broomfield non-profit groups that provide numerous necessary activities and services.

Grants have been awarded by the BCF every year since 1994, and since it’s inception more than 4.5 million has been distributed. These grants are only used for programs and services that help the community of Broomfield. 

To contribute, for many years I’ve been part of the iGIVE365 program which is one BCF’s giving program options. Participants commit to a $30+/month reoccurring donation or an annual gift of $365. In doing so, it gives me pride and helps me feel more personally knitted to the beautiful fabric of our community.

By design, the potential impact is extraordinary. With a current estimated Broomfield population of approximately 78,000, if just 1% of residents participated, iGIVE365 would generate $284,780 per year. That would $569,560 at 2%.

I try to be generally thankful every day. Every day I am thankful to be part of Broomfield. If you are too, consider joining the iGIVE365 program.

Greg Larson, vice president and managing partner of Sill-TerHar Motors, said, "Broomfield Community Foundation reinvests in people and businesses that make up the fabric of buy local. It also provides a transparent way of utilizing donors' contributions. They keep you informed of how they distribute money, and this builds confidence. It is also very fulfilling to know how our money is spent, and therefore reinvested, right here in the place where I grew up." 

Members of the Business Impact Partners program are part of a larger collective network of donors, nonprofits, community leaders, and residents committed to strengthening the community and creating a larger impact together. If you have a business and are considering donating to BCF, Greg advises you to get in touch with the staff and ask for help. "The Foundation can provide direction, counsel you on what steps are next, and give you tremendous support where you need it."

Cindy Combs' involvement with the Broomfield Community Foundation has deep roots and runs the gamut. She is a Donor Advised Fund holder, a Business Impact Partner, a past Board member, and has served on the Grants Committee. 

Philanthropy is a core value in Cindy's family, which she wants to perpetuate for future generations, so she looked into starting a foundation. "We soon realized it wasn't financially possible," she said. "It felt like we would spend more money setting it up than giving out funds, and we didn't know how we would manage it. Once I was on the Grants Committee and the Board, I realized we had an opportunity to open a Donor Advised Fund through the Foundation, and it would be part of the grant cycle each year. 

"Community investments of Donor Advised Funds are amazing, and we've been able to put more money into the grant process than we thought would be possible," she said. "Their fiduciary duties and investment plan have been very beneficial to making the most of the donations received, so we can make a larger contribution in the grant cycle."

In addition, Cindy is the owner of Vista Management Associates, which participates in the Foundation's Business Impact Partner program. "Vista Management has worked in the Broomfield community since the 1990s, and this is our way to give back." 

Whether donating through her family or her business, Cindy shares, "Giving is the best part of being fortunate enough to have enough to give. It gives me joy and happiness. There's no way as an individual or business that I could touch so many lives on my own. You know your money is going to good. Just look at all of the nonprofits the Foundation supports, and it's an easy decision. That's why I like to give through the Foundation."