The Weld Trust continues to grow, evolve and help the Weld County community in meaningful ways. The mission, to promote excellence in health and education in Weld County, stays at the forefront of everything we do.
In 2024, The Weld Trust awarded more than $45 million in grants to support nonprofit organizations, schools and government entities serving Weld County residents.
The grant programs, Flagship, Proactive and Cycle grants, are guided by six key funding initiatives. You can read more about each of these initiatives and grants in this report.
While we don’t have enough room in the annual report to cover every grant from 2024, there is an online, easily accessible database where anyone can see the grants awarded and what projects were funded.
The Weld Trust’s Grant Database is full of great information that can be sorted by grant type, date, Key Funding Initiative, region or search by keyword for a specific project. Go to Weldtrust.org/grantdatabase or scan the QR code to the right to see the great work being done in Weld County.
The collaborations and work of so many amazing organizations in 2024 are imperative toward becoming a healthier and more educated community. The work they are all doing now will create an even better future for Weld County residents.
Jeff Carlson Chief Executive Officer
13,150 children supported with learning or extracurricular activities
1,700 individuals received career exploration or skills training
17,025 individuals provided with behavioral and/ or physical health support
The Weld Trust Grant Database
The Weld Trust Board of Directors
In Remembrance of John Dollarhide, who was a long-time Board member of The Weld Trust. He was a passionate community leader and will be missed dearly by our organization.
“To Promote Excellence in Health and Education in Weld County.”
Jeff Carlson Chief Executive Officer
Tom Grant Board Chair
Michael Simone
Tim Brynteson
Brandon Houtchens Board Vice-Chair
Rose Stoller
Mark Lawley Board Secretary
Vicki Wilson
Travis Gillmore
Bob Murphy Board Treasurer
Jason Yeater
In Memory of John Dollarhide
Jeff Carlson, Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth Barber, Sr. Program Officer
The Weld Trust Staff
Meagan Birely, Communications Specialist
Mike Bond, Chief Operating Officer
Toni Burger, Program Administrator
Doug Elliott, Director of Education Grants
Amy Gomez, Grants Manager
Andrea Hernandez, Program Officer
Nicole Hogrefe, Sr. Accountant
Kyle Holman, Director of Health Grants
Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Administrative Asst.
Michelle Jensen, Sr. Program Administrator
Health Grants Advisory Council
Kim Collins, North Range Behavioral Health
Tim Coons, Weld Community Foundation
Sandi Elder, Banner Health
Angel Flores, Mosaic Church
Dr. Meshelle Kolanz, UC Health
Kara Sample, Greeley-Evans School District 6
Jamie Ulrich, Weld County Dept. of Human Services
Randie Lieser, Business Analyst
Allison Miller, Development Program Director
Rhonda Morehead, Chief Administrative Officer
Cori Pearson, Program Officer
Rigo Rangel, Program Officer
Anu Shekar, Learning and Evaluation Consultant
Lisa Taylor, Senior Program Officer
Rita Watson, Administrative Assistant
Ryan Welle, Manager of Evaluation
Diana Wood, Director of Devel. & Stewardship
Andy Yost, Scholar Relations Officer
Education Grants Advisory Council
Terry Anderson, Aims Community College
Anthony Asmus, Greeley-Evans School District 6
Scott Bright, ABC Child Development Center
Jenn Byxbe, St. Vrain Valley Schools
Tami Grant, Weld County Dept. of Human Services
Kathy Horning, Retired Principal
Tami Kramer, Weld RE-5J School District
Laura Tjaarda, Greeley-Evans School District 6
In Remembrance of John Haefeli who served on The Weld Trust’s Education Grants Advisory Council from 2021 – 2025. John provided thoughtful insights with his subject matter expertise.
In Memory of John Haefeli
The Weld Trust in 2024
The Weld Trust awards grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and government entities through six Key Funding Initiatives. These focused initiatives are the driving force for improving the health and education of Weld County residents.
Health
Education
Types of Grants Awarded:
Cycle grants: Organizations are invited to apply for Cycle grants three times per year. These responsive grants support a project or program through one or more of the Key Funding Initiatives.
Proactive grants: The Weld Trust awards Proactive grants in which staff have identified a significant need in the community and fund collaborations with key nonprofit, school and government stakeholders.
Flagship grants: These grants support significant community projects expected to change the landscape for Weld County in health or education in the future. These projects align with one or more of the Key Funding Initiatives.
Flagship Grants Awarded:
$30,225,000
Flagship grants support capital projects or other significant community programs. These grants are typically larger grants ($750,000 and greater). Flagship grants awarded, plus one completed project in 2024, are found on pages 7 and 8
Cycle Grants Awarded:
$8,125,096
Cycle grants are awarded to nonprofits, schools or government entities that support Weld County residents in health or education. In 2024, The Weld Trust awarded Cycle grants to 93 organizations.
The Weld Trust granted $5 million to Banner Health’s North Colorado Medical Center in 2024 to support uninsured and underinsured patients.
$1,414,160 Proactive Grants Awarded:
Proactive grants are awarded to projects identified by The Weld Trust staff to address a specific community issue. There were 7 Proactive grants awarded in 2024.
The Weld Trust awarded event sponsorships, rapid response grants and directed grants within
Sunrise Community Health, located at 2930 11th Avenue in Evans, CO, provides affordable quality healthcare in the community. The 60,436 square foot building is owned by The Weld Trust. The estimated annual in-kind rent for this facility is $634,578.
Flagship Grants:
Flagship Grants
$33.6+ Million
The Weld Trust has committed more than $33.6 million in Flagship Grants to date. These grants have provided funding for capital projects or other significant community projects for nonprofit organizations and schools. These projects are expected to provide transformational change in health or education in Weld County aligning with one or more of The Weld Trust’s Key Funding Initiatives.
Completed Flagship grant project:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County, $1.5 million grant
The Boys and Girls Clubs’ Teen Center, located in Greeley, was the first Flagship grant awarded by The Weld Trust. Opening in June 2024, this renovation was critical in providing more teens with a fun and safe after-school space to receive academic support, learn life skills, plus build character and leadership skills. The Teen Center will be able to serve 125 teens per day, with the previous location limited to serving 30 teens daily.
Progress of Flagship grant previously awarded:
University of Northern Colorado College of Osteopathic Medicine, $25 million grant
This Flagship grant is the largest single grant ever awarded by The Weld Trust as well as ever received by the University of Northern Colorado. Its purpose is to construct the College of Osteopathic Medicine. This College will address an anticipated shortage of physicians in Colorado and Weld County in the next decade. The College will focus on serving rural and underserved areas and will fill a great need in Weld County. In September 2024, UNC hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking. The first cohort of medical students is expected in fall 2026.
Progress of Flagship grant previously awarded:
High Plains Housing Development, $2.5 million grant
In June 2024, construction began on 58 units located in StarRise at North Weld Village housing development in Greeley. This complex will provide Permanent Supportive Housing for chronically homeless individuals who typically have one or more disabilities along with multiple other barriers to stable housing. Residents will pay 30% of their income to rent and will receive on-site support services such as case management, job assistance and benefits enrollment. Final construction is expected to be done in late fall of 2025.
Flagship grant awarded
in 2024
: Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity, $2.5 million grant
The Weld Trust awarded a Flagship grant to support the Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity’s Hope Springs community development. This 174-housing development in Evans will offer affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. The complex will also feature on-site childcare, athletic fields and other amenities.
Homes will be completed, and families will begin to move in during 2025.
Proactive grants are a forward-looking approach to identify community challenges and bring together the best organizations to address the issue. The staff of The Weld Trust identifies these opportunities through collaborative meetings with nonprofit leaders, school district administrators and key community stakeholders.
The Proactive grants provide for identified nonprofit organizations to work collectively toward one common goal. Additionally, they present opportunities for other funders to support projects in Weld County. In 2024, The Weld Trust awarded Proactive grants totaling over $1.4 million dollars.
Proactive grant highlights 2024: Proactive Grants
Colorado Gives Foundation - The Colorado Youth Sports Gives Day was an inaugural campaign hosted by the Colorado Gives Foundation to support youth sports across the state. To encourage fundraising by these organizations, The Weld Trust awarded a Proactive grant of $117,150 to match monies raised by Weld County organizations. Additionally, the Daniels Fund offered a matching grant up to $500,000 for organizations statewide. These matching grants allowed some organizations in Weld County to receive a 3 to 1 match for every dollar earned. Weld County was the second largest recipient in the state of these grant dollars from multiple funders.
Catholic Charities - With the increasing need for more homeless prevention resources, The Weld Trust brought together four organizations (Catholic Charities, Hope at Miracle House, Almost Home and Greeley Family House) to work toward a common goal of supporting individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless. The result was a Proactive grant that provided each organization with shared resources, dollars and ongoing communication to effectively and efficiently serve residents in Weld County. Prevention activities include rental assistance, connection to case management and mentoring to help serve Weld County families at risk of becoming homeless.
Weld County School District RE-1 - The Weld Trust awarded a Proactive grant to Weld County School District RE-1 (serving Gilcrest, LaSalle and Platteville) in partnership with North Range Behavioral Health to place a licensed therapist at the schools in the district. North Range works with nine Weld County school districts supporting 60 schools. This grant funding will provide 3 years of school-based service for the RE-1 district.
Cycle Grants
Access To Resources
28 Grants Awarded in 2024: $1,598,068
The Weld Trust’s goal is to engage students in areas they are passionate about and level the playing field for every student. The intent is to help students stay engaged in school, graduate in higher numbers and be more prepared for their future.
Support is awarded for programs that serve Weld County students ages Kindergarten through post-secondary school in the areas of academic success, career exploration and extra-curricular activities.
K-12 in-school services: increase participation in school-based programs to enhance career exploration and connect students to trusted adults
K-12 out-of-school-time services: increase participation in out-of-school programs, team sports and a wide array of extracurricular activities to help support the development of leadership, character, critical thinking and communication
Fees, technology & basic supports: increase the number of students with access to technology as well as basic equipment and cover student
Access to Resources highlights from grants that concluded in 2024:
6,660 individuals served
780 students received fee/cost reduction to participate in programs
80% of programs help develop skills in critical thinking, communication and technology
Access to Resources highlights from grants that concluded in 2024:
Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain – (Grant period January – December 2024) – The Weld Trust grant supported 1,200 Weld County middle and high school students to participate in a field trip at an interactive business park to bring what they have learned about financial literacy in class to life. Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain provided students with real-world applications in personal and business finances such as paying bills, insurance and making other financial decisions.
“This was a fantastic and engaging simulation of life that will be invaluable for our students!”
- 8th Grade Windsor Middle School teacher.
Weld RE-5J School District – (Grant period May 2023 – April 2024) – The Weld Trust awarded a grant to purchase a special laser cutter and engraver that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students were able to machine a wide variety of materials and learn more about manufacturing and rapid prototyping. Students produced items for their class as well as their school store which supported their technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Soccer Without Borders – (Grant period January – December 2024) – The grant from The Weld Trust supported immigrant and refugee high school students prepare for life after graduation through opportunities for training to be assistant coaches, referees, and middle school camp counselors/mentors for youth soccer programs. Additionally, they received learning sessions on resume writing, interviewing, and basic professional skills for leadership development and success in the workplace as adults. Currently, youth come from 21 different countries and speak 14 unique languages.
Cycle Grants
Behavioral and Physical Health
27 Grants Awarded in 2024: $1,593,000
The Weld Trust assists Weld County residents with the opportunity to live up to their fullest potential through a focus on their mental health and wellness. This includes access to behavioral health resources, preventative care and intervention.
By creating healthy habits and routines, people can help prevent serious health problems in the future.
Healthy behaviors/healthy relationships: educate, equip and empower individuals with skills to develop healthy relationships
Direct intervention: increase accessible treatment across Weld County for behavioral health treatment, crisis services and increase referral networks
Prevention services: increase support groups, education and programs to support an individual’s mental and physical well-being across all ages and needs
Active living: promote daily activity for all ages for greater physical health
Social emotional learning and supports: increase a sense of belonging and connectedness
Behavioral and Physical Health highlights from grants that concluded in 2024:
15,450 individuals served
5,900 participants attended outreach or education events
3,175 Weld County students received social emotional learning lessons
Blue Rising Community – (Grant period September 2023 – August 2024) – The Weld Trust grant supported this program to educate over 8,000 students on the UNC and Aims Community college campuses about the dangers of fentanyl as well as education on how to access and use Naloxone. Funding also supports the organization’s participation in a national database for real time tracking of fentanyl poisonings so the public can be further informed of imminent risks.
Freedom Revived – (Grant period January – December 2024) – The grant awarded by The Weld Trust provided mental health support through outdoor and recreational therapy for first responders and their families to help reduce vicarious trauma. Through multiple outings, retreats and events, they supported 468 individuals with social connection and family engagement opportunities to promote mental health and positive coping skills.
Forging Youth Resilience (FYR) Mindset Reps – (Grant period January – December 2024) –The Weld Trust grant supported FYR Mindset Reps to initiate a comprehensive mental and physical health program for detained and committed youth with Platte Valley Corrections. They served 59 incarcerated youth through physical exercise as a therapeutic approach to help manage trauma, depression and anxiety. These vulnerable youth reported a significant increase in their sense of belonging and connectedness through the program.
Cycle Grants
Childhood Literacy
12 Grants Awarded in 2024: $1,279,337
Research indicates that a child’s success will be greater in life if they are reading at grade level by third grade. Not only is this a pivotal point in a child’s reading journey, but early reading skills are a predictor of long-term academic success. The Weld Trust focuses on early intervention, professional development for teachers, parental engagement, individualized support and access to materials to help children achieve long-term success and improve literacy skills.
Parent programs and education on literacy: increase access to high quality literacy information for parents
Early childhood education programs: increase the number of developmental screenings to ensure children are kindergarten-ready, as well as increase the training for early childhood caregivers
Out-of-school-time programs: increase participation in tutoring, library or other programs that help strengthen literacy
Curriculum development: increase the high-quality curriculum and literacy-focused support in schools or for homeschoolers
Childhood Literacy highlights from grants that concluded in 2024:
6,500 children served
23,700 literacy materials distributed in person and through mail
1,400 families served through literacy resources and take-home materials
Dayspring Christian Academy –(Grant period January – December 2024) – The Weld Trust grant supported tutoring, screening and testing for students with dyslexia to help them learn easier and faster.
Family of student who received tutoring through the Dayspring Christian Academy grant: Maya (alias) a 4th grader, has struggled with reading since kindergarten.
“She really loves the dyslexia program, and we feel it has given her the confidence she needed to begin really developing in reading. Our biggest sign that she is developing confidence came when she actually volunteered to read a part in the school Christmas program. She has always been very shy and certainly would never want to read in front of anyone, and then she took a deep breath and read her part perfectly! Her confidence is growing every day.”
Eaton Public Library – (Grant period May 2023 – April 2024) – The grant awarded by The Weld Trust supported the library’s “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program. For every 50 books a child reads (or listens to), they earn a free book to take home. Helping children build their own home libraries supports a culture of literacy at home.
YMCA of Northern Colorado – (Grant period January – December 2024) – The Weld Trust grant supported 89 preschool students from under-resourced families with their literacy development and kindergarten readiness. Stories, songs, rhymes, games, writing and coloring were regular activities to help develop their literacy skills.
Cycle Grants
Food Security
10 Grants Awarded in 2024: $929,620
Making sure people have access to nutritious food is foundational toward helping them thrive. The Weld Trust brings agencies together to expand access to healthy food for vulnerable communities throughout Weld County, whether it’s through food banks, mobile units, permanent pantries, or other distribution programs. This multitude of programs becomes essential when working to reach all corners of a more than 4,000 square mile county.
Food access and distribution: increase access to nutritious food for all Weld County residents in need, especially vulnerable populations
Nutritious food programs: provide avenues for Weld County individuals and families to access healthy food distribution programs
Food Security highlights from grants that concluded in 2024:
19,100 individuals served
2,990 seniors served throughout the county with food distribution and delivery
211,000 combined nutritious meals distributed
Weld Food Bank – (Grant period May 2023 – April 2024) – The Weld Trust awarded a grant to the Weld Food Bank for food purchases given to agency partners to maximize purchasing power and distribution to families in need throughout Weld County. During the grant period, the Food Bank provided 1,191,992 pounds of food to over 70 agency partners for distribution at zero cost to the agencies. The food items included but were not limited to chicken, tuna, beans, peanut butter, cereal, milk, fruit and vegetables.
Project Angel Heart – (Grant period January – December 2024) – The Weld Trust’s grant supported 15,330 home-delivered, medically tailored meals to Weld County residents living with a severe illness. Each meal is approved by a registered dietician and crafted to meet the individual’s needs. One-on-one nutrition counseling with a registered dietician is also available to each client.
University of Northern Colorado – (Grant period September 2023 – August 2024) – The grant from The Weld Trust was used to help renovate the Bear Panty on UNC’s campus. The new space is double in size and allows students to select nutritious food items and other basic supplies.
Student testimonial provided by UNC:
“The Bear Pantry has been a game-changer for me. It eases anxiety when school is stressful, helps me eat healthier options when my schedule is tight, and provides me with nutritious foods when trying to make ends meet. I’ve been more successful at UNC thanks to the Bear Pantry, and I will forever be grateful for this amazing resource on campus.”
Cycle Grants
Housing Stability
10 Grants Awarded in 2024: $827,322
Housing stability is a basic necessity in people’s lives to support more positive outcomes in educational achievement, emotional and mental health, physical health and social development. Grants awarded in this initiative aim to increase affordable housing, mitigate families on the brink of homelessness and provide immediate support to people experiencing homelessness.
Emergency financial assistance and case management: increase the number of support resources for individuals and families experiencing housing instability
Homeless prevention: increase services for people experiencing a temporary housing crisis to help them remain in their home
Affordable housing: increase the number of affordable housing units in Weld County
Housing
Stability highlights from grants that concluded in 2024:
1,010 individuals connected to resources or referrals to help find housing solutions
450 individuals rehoused
1,700 individuals received individual care plans to assist in being housing stable
A Little Help – (Grant period January – December 2024) – The Weld Trust grant supported adults aged 55 and older in Weld County live independently in their homes and age safely in place. The organization’s volunteer services provide the adults with vital services including transportation to medical appointments, housework, yardwork, and friendly visits to prevent social isolation. During the grant period, they provided over 278 services to 59 older adults in Weld County.
A Little Help Volunteer talking about her experience:
The volunteer was taking a 97-year-old member to an eye appointment that lasted about three hours with travel time and delayed wait times. The volunteer expressed that there was no way they were going to provide “uber” style transportation and instead waited with the member from beginning to end. The member couldn’t stop expressing her heartfelt gratitude to her volunteer for providing such delightful companionship as she really misses her husband who passed away several years ago.
Stepping Stones of Windsor – (Grant period January – December 2024) –The grant awarded by The Weld Trust supported families living in the Weld RE-4 School District who are facing a temporary financial crisis with rental assistance to remain housed. During the grant period, they helped over 26 households and 82 individuals with housing security.
Cycle Grants
Workforce Development
18 Grants Awarded in 2024: $1,897,749
All Weld County residents should be able to have a job where they can thrive economically and personally. To support this idea, The Weld Trust awards grants to help with the development of career pathways, work-based learning opportunities and adult upskilling training resources, which all lead to stable employment and a healthier economy.
Skills development/training programs: aid employers and jobseekers of all ages with vocational and technical opportunities that lead to employment attainment
Student work-based learning opportunities: increase the opportunities for job shadows, internships and apprenticeships for students in Weld County
Systems development: support online resources for all jobseekers, industry partners, education and training providers to develop and expand career pathways across Weld County
Workforce Development highlights from grants that concluded
in 2024:
1,710 individuals served
150 individuals served were starting from a position of being under-skilled or underemployed
900 K-12 students served through career pathways and work-based learning opportunities
Careers in Construction – (Grant period January - December 2024) – The Weld Trust grant supported internships and apprenticeships for students to learn a building trade in the construction industry and lead to permanent employment.
Student testimonial from their summer internship with a plumbing company:
“The opportunity to learn the plumbing trade is an amazing experience. I love the people and the work. I came into this not knowing a thing about plumbing and clueless on what to do. Now I can confidently say I learned how things work and what to do.”
Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado – (Grant period January –December 2024) – The Weld Trust grant provided educational and career pursuit support for low-income single parents to become economically stable with livable wage employment. Advisors work alongside each participant to create an individualized action plan based on each person’s strengths and goals. Their support includes career counseling and employment services paired with support to address housing, childcare, food insecurity and transportation.
Envision – (Grant period September 2023 – August 2024) – The grant awarded by The Weld Trust supported adults 18 years and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities in securing sustainable employment in the community through job development/placement support, on the job coaching and monitoring as well as ongoing assistance to keep employment.
2024 Grants Awarded
Flagship grants
(Flagship grants are on pages 7-8 of this report)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County, Inc.
• Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity
• High Plains Housing Development Corp.
• University of Northern Colorado
Proactive grants
(Proactive grants are on page 9 of this report)
• Balon USA
• Catholic Charities
• Colorado Gives Foundation
• North Range Behavioral Health
• Weld County School District RE-1 Gilcrest
• Weld County School District RE-5J
• Weld County School District RE-8
Cycle grants
(Cycle grants are on pages 10-21 of this report)
• 60+ Ride
• A Woman’s Place
• Ala Carte Education Foundation, Inc.
• American Cancer Society
• Arc of Weld County
• Assistance League of Greeley
• Azteca Boxing Club
• Balon USA
• Book Trust
• Boulder County Rsvp Board, Inc.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County, Inc.
• Bright Futures
• Brothers Redevelopment, Inc.
• Carbon Valley Help Center
• Cardinal Community Academy
• Catholic Charities
• Centennial BOCES
• Children’s Entrepreneur Market
• Coal Creek Meals On Wheels
• Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence
• Colorado Education Initiative
• Colorado Humanities
• Community Grief Center
• Dayspring Christian Academy
• Dementia Together
• Finally Home
• First Responder Trauma Services
• Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank
• Forward Steps
• Freedom Revived
• FYR Mindset Reps
• Generation Schools Network, Inc.
• Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra Association
• Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity
• Happiness Through Horses
• High Plains Library District Friends & Fdn
• Hope at Miracle House
• Hope House Northern Colorado
• I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County (Serving Youth in Weld County)
• Imagination Library Weld County
• Jobs of Hope
• Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain
• Larimer County Partners, Inc.
• Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy
• Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
• Meals On Wheels Of Greeley, Inc.
• Neighbor To Neighbor, Inc.
• North Range Behavioral Health
• Northern Colorado Christian Academy
Cycle grants (continued)
(Cycle grants are on pages 10-21 of this report)
• Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center
• Northern Colorado Youth for Christ
• Pierce First United Methodist Church
• Poudre Learning Center Fdn, Inc.
• Project Angel Heart
• Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado
• Qualified Listeners Corp.
• Reach Out and Read Colorado
• Respite Care, Inc.
• Second Wind Fund, Inc.
• Soccer Without Borders
• St. Vrain Valley Schools RE-1J
• Success Foundation (serving GreeleyEvans School District 6)
