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 just learning about local issues—they’re working to solve them through the grants they award to nonprofits each year.
Inside the Panel: Youth Shaping Change
Panelists Ashley Holck of Rocky Mountain High School, Sebastian Meier of Lesher Middle School, and Peyton Rickert of Loveland High School reflect on the nonprofits that inspired them, the responsibility of making meaningful grant decisions, and how the program has transformed their understanding of leadership and community.
District leaders continue to recognize the importance of programs that center student voice, help students build stronger connections, and deepen student understanding of complex community issues. During the event, Superintendent Kingsley underscored how impactful it is when students are trusted to lead, make decisions, and engage meaningfully with their community. His reflections and engagement throughout the evening reinforced how Give Next supports powerful learning outcomes.
Watch the full video here: (Approximately 11 minutes)
Video Courtesy: NoCo Foundation
Join Our Community of Donors
This year, more than 700 students in 34 classrooms awarded over $180,000 to 45 local nonprofits—including funds they raised themselves. Their work, and the experiences of the students on the panel, show what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead: they step up, think critically, and make choices rooted in empathy, insight, and action. The impact they’re making reaches far beyond the classroom. Join the community of donors supporting this next generation of changemakers.
About Give Next
Give Next is a school-based youth grantmaking program for middle and high school students in Larimer County to learn about local issues and make meaningful funding decisions that support local nonprofits. The program aims to shift power to youth, connect them to their communities and each other, and help them see their role in creating positive change.