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 leadership to her school and community. As she prepares to study Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, Audrey shares how Give Next shaped her understanding of local issues—and her role in making a difference.
Audrey Gravestock is a member of the Give Next Youth Advisory Committee.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in Give Next?
A: “I was inspired to join Give Next at the beginning of my freshman year by my school counselor. She encouraged me to join after explaining what the program was and how it has an impact on our community. I wanted to make a change and have an impact, so I was excited to join.”
Q: How has Give Next changed the way you think about issues in your community?
A: “Give Next has opened my eyes to how many issues impact my friends, peers, and community. There were many issues I knew were prevalent within our area, but I did not know the full effect of some of these issues until I learned about them through Give Next.”
Q: Can you share a moment when you felt like you were truly making a difference?
A: “Getting to meet and learn from nonprofit leaders has been one of the highlights of being in Give Next. Their stories, their passion—it was so inspiring. One of my favorite moments was meeting the head of Foster and Adoptive Families of Larimer County (FAFLC). She was incredible. You could tell she truly cared and wanted to better our community, and that really left an impact on me.”
Give Next students conduct nonprofit site visits.
Q: What was it like to connect with donors and leaders from local nonprofits?
A: “One moment that stands out was when we focused on homelessness and food insecurity. We gave away over $7,000 that year, and a large portion of that went directly into purchasing food to help feed the community. It was extremely impactful because it was a quantifiable change—we could actually see the difference we were making.”
Q: What’s one lesson or skill you’ll carry with you into the future?
A: “I learned that I can make an impact in my community using more than just money—I can use my voice, my time, and my passion. That’s something I will take with me forever.”
Q: What would you say to encourage another student to join Give Next?
A: “I would encourage them by explaining not only the impact it has on the community but also how much you learn about having a voice. The knowledge I’ve gained will leave a lasting impression and help me make a difference in the future. All students should be involved with Give Next if they can—it’s truly an amazing experience.”
When Youth Lead, Communities Thrive
Audrey’s journey shows what’s possible when students are empowered to lead, connect, and give forward. As she takes her next steps into college and beyond, we know she’ll continue to be an engaged and inspiring member of the communities she’s a part of.
During spring of 2025, Give Next students reviewed grant applications from 86 nonprofits, evaluated how nonprofits aligned with each classroom’s mission statement, and collectively awarded over $180,000 in grant funding—raised through student-led fundraising and generous donor support—to nonprofits making a difference in Larimer County.
Join our Community of Donors
For more than a decade, Give Next has empowered students to connect with nonprofit leaders and explore the issues that matter most to them. As Audrey shares in her reflections, every student participant engages in hands-on learning through nonprofit site visits, and meaningful conversations with peers, teachers and nonprofit professionals. Through these experiences, they begin to see how deeply connected local challenges can be—and how nonprofit staff make a difference.
Make your gift today and join the community of donors supporting the next generation of leaders and change-makers in our community.