Where Community Can Lead You
In 2013, Annalee Knies was an 11-year-old student at Lesher Middle School, participating in Give Next and discovering that young people can make a meaningful difference in their community. More than a decade later, Annalee is helping musicians build their careers as an Artist Development Coordinator at The Music District. Along the way, Annalee’s band,…
Building Belonging: Give Next at Poudre Community Academy
This year’s Give Next group at PCA shifted from a traditional classroom setting to a student-led lunchtime club model. While the shift brought some uncertainty, it ultimately deepened students’ engagement with the program’s core goals of connecting with their peers and community and developing a deeper understanding of complex social issues. The lunch club launched with four young men…
Celebrating an Incredible Year of Give Next
The 2025–2026 Give Next program year was one of growth, generosity, and meaningful engagement. With 33 classrooms participating from Estes Park, Thompson, and Poudre School Districts, more than 650 students engaged in conversations about local needs, connected with peers and local nonprofit staff, and made real grantmaking decisions. Fifty-six teachers helped guide students through program…
Inside Crossroads Safehouse: Students Learn, Ask, and Engage
This spring, Give Next students from across Larimer County are once again stepping outside the classroom and into the work of local nonprofits through hands-on, on-site learning experiences. One visit, in particular, marked a meaningful first. For the first time, Give Next students were welcomed inside Crossroads Safehouse, a space rarely open to outside groups.…
Finding Her Voice Through Giving Forward
When Ashley Holck first joined Give Next, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Like many students entering the program for the first time, she was curious — and a bit skeptical — about how much impact she could really have. “At first, I was still figuring out how everything worked,” Ashley says. “But over…
Real Decisions, Real Impact: Give Next Students Take the Stage
This past May, three Give Next students and Poudre School District Superintendent Brian Kingsley took the stage to highlight their experiences with the program during a featured presentation. Their panel—part of the NoCo Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration “Next Gen Thinkers” session—is now available to watch below. The conversation highlights how students across Larimer County aren’t…
Student Voice in Action: The Power of Giving Forward
Meet Audrey Gravestock Audrey is a senior at Berthoud High School, a dedicated student, and a four-year participant in Give Next, a school-based youth grantmaking program for middle and high school students in Larimer County. Active in sports, clubs, and a member of the Give Next Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), Audrey brings energy, compassion, and…
Pianos About Town Announces Piano Artists
Pianos About Town, a program that brings local art and spontaneous music to the streets of Fort Collins, is excited to announce the artists selected to paint pianos. Selected artists and artist teams are Ben Hatcher, Chloe Cochran, Chyna Mapel, Janet Gilliand, Jess White, Theo Altmaier, Victoria Endsley and RaDean Mynatt (team), and William Richard…