Stories

Give Next

Since 2012, Give Next has trusted youth with real responsibility and meaningful opportunities to strengthen the communities they call home. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re honoring the people and stories that continue to shape our community.

Fifteen years ago, Give Next started with a simple idea: What if we trusted young people to help shape the future of their community? Since then,…

Annalee Knies' journey demonstrates how early opportunities to engage in community can help inspire a lifetime of service and impact.

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…

Give Next at Poudre Community Academy is a space for empathy, growth, and connection.

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…

This school year, Give Next invested more than $221,000 into local nonprofits while building leadership, deepening connections, and expanding what youth-led impact can look like across Larimer County.

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,…

High Plains Students participate in First-Ever Crossroads Safehouse Site Visit

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…

Ashley Holck’s Give Next Journey

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…

Give Next student voices highlighted at NoCo Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration

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…

Q&A with Give Next student Audrey Gravestock

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…
Give Next empowers young minds to make impactful grantmaking decisions. This spring, 34 classrooms across Larimer County are collectively awarding more than $177,250 in donor contributions…

Plus: Apply Now for a Give Next Grant

In 2022, a seemingly small grant from students sparked significant growth and impact for a local nonprofit. Student-directed grants through Give Next, a school-based youth grantmaking…

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