The Weld Trust Strategic Plan with 2023 Grant Cycles

STRATEGIC PLAN

Letter from the Board

Dear Friends,

Our Board is pleased to share The Weld Trust’s first ever strategic plan. Our vision is for Weld County to be the healthiest and most educated county in the state of Colorado. In 2020, we awarded grants totaling more than $8.8 million using four funding priority areas. We underwent this strategic plan to determine the most critical issues facing our community in the areas of health and education.

To develop this plan, we engaged the opinions of nonprofit partners, educators, and key stakeholders in Weld County. We gathered input using surveys, interviews and focus groups to identify the strengths, needs and opportunities in Weld County in accordance with our mission to promote excellence in health and education. Through this plan, we identified seven key initiatives for The Weld Trust to focus on over the next three years. The plan outlines goals and objectives for each key initiative with measurements of success.

We remain dedicated to use and share the information learned through this strategic plan in our grant making, as well as serving as a convener to deepen relationships and increase community engagement. Together we can encourage a collective action toward addressing the initiatives laid out in this plan. The Weld Trust will endeavor to support the growth and expansion of existing and new projects designed to help our county in the areas of health and education.

We recognize that change does not happen overnight, however, utilizing the passion and hard work of our nonprofit grant partners, schools, and government entities, we will strive to create long-lasting change. Together we can plant the seed to grow together as a community toward solving the needs identified in this plan.

The Weld Trust's Board and staff are excited to begin implementation of our strategic plan. Thank you for your partnership and support.

Kind Regards,

Tom Grant Board Chair

Carlson Chief Executive Officer

Brandon Houtchens Jason Yeater

Travis Gillmore

Mark Lawley

Michael Simone

Bob Murphy Rose Stoller

Vicki Wilson

Tim Brynteson

Jeff

Table of Contents

Our History

Values of the Weld Trust

Our Vision

Key Initiatives

The Big Picture

Implementation Framework

Key Initiative: Behavioral Health

Key Initiative: Food Security

Key Initiative: Housing Stability

Key Initiative: Access to Resources

Key Initiative: Childhood Literacy

Key Initiative: Workforce Development

Key Initiative: Healthy Habits

Measurements of Success

The Work Ahead

Frequently Asked Questions Acknowledgements

The grant we received through The Weld Trust has helped us address the language and digital literacy needs of our immigrant and refugee clients. Having access to these services is crucial for clients; the impact of continuing educational opportunities has financial, vocational, and relational implications not only for our immigrant and refugee neighbors, but for our entire community.

Lisa Taylor

Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado

At Reach Out and Read Colorado, we believe that by providing early literacy to Colorado’s youngest and most vulnerable children, we are taking the first step, together with the families we serve, in breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Children who receive early literacy, beginning at birth, enter kindergarten prepared for success. Thank you to The Weld Trust for identifying the importance of providing our services to your community.

Carey Kerschner Reach Out and Read Colorado

Our History

The Weld Trust®, formerly known as NCMC Inc., was formed in 1985. NCMC Inc. was created to assume the responsibility of the day-to-day operations of Greeley’s hospital, North Colorado Medical Center. In 2019, NCMC Inc. sold the buildings, land and equipment to Banner Health. Later that same year, the name was changed from NCMC Inc. to The Weld Trust® .

Mission Statement: To promote excellence in health and education in Weld County.

1904

Weld County opens Greeley Hospital.

1952 1982 1985 1986 1995 1999 2019

Greeley Hospital moves to its current location on 16th Street in Greeley.

The hospital name is changed to North Colorado Medical Center.

NCMC Inc. is formed, a Colorado non-

Section 501(c)(3).

Responsibility for day-to-day operation of the hospital is transferred to NCMC Inc. together with the lease on the county land and facilities.

Lutheran Health System is contracted to run the dayto-day operations of North Colorado Medical Center.

Lutheran Health System merges with Good Samaritan Health System to form Banner Health.

Banner purchases the land, buildings, and equipment from NCMC Inc. for $329.4 million.

NCMC Inc. changes its name to The Weld Trust®. Its mission is to promote excellence in health and education in Weld County.

Values of The Weld Trust

Accountability | Integrity | Sustainability | Effectiveness

Compassion | Humility | Responsibility

At The Weld Trust we embody our values inside the organization and out in the community. We strive to show integrity in every interaction. We have a responsibility for hard work and clear communications with our grant partners, our Board, and each other. We will aim to embrace compassion and humility in all that we do. We will measure effectiveness with our grant partners to ensure we are being good stewards of The Weld Trust’s funds. We are accountable to the residents of Weld County to focus on improving their lives in the areas of health and education by funding long-lasting sustainable programs.

Our Vision

With our mission to promote excellence in health and education in Weld County, we realize that much of the work we fund in the coming years can only be measured over the long term. However, we have a clear vision for our work:

Weld County will be the healthiest and most educated County in the state of Colorado.

In order to achieve that vision, we will focus on our mission and values. We will need to preserve our outstanding leadership and staff as well as maintain our strong connections to our partners and supporters. As The Weld Trust, we will bring people together to solve the most important issues facing our community.

Key Initiatives

The Weld Trust has identified seven key initiatives with respective funding strategies to carry out our mission of promoting excellence in health and education in Weld County.

Food Security

Health

Behavioral Health

Housing Stability

Childhood Literacy

Healthy Habits

Education

Workforce Development Access to Resources

The Big Picture

The Weld Trust’s mission is to promote excellence in health and education in Weld County. Through our planning process, we identified seven key funding initiatives in line with our mission to make a significant impact for the residents of Weld County.

Key Funding Initiatives Grants Program

The Weld Trust is accepting Idea Inquiries for Grant Applications three times per year. The three grant cycles are open for all seven Key Funding Initiatives.

Idea Inquiry Deadline: *Idea must be submitted to receive an invitation to submit a full grant application.

Grant Application Deadline:

The Weld Trust decision date for grant applications: Grant Funding Date:

** All dates above are approximate.

7 Key Funding Initiatives

Spring 2023 Cycle

Summer 2023 Cycle

Fall 2023 Cycle

Idea Inquiry Deadline:

*Idea must be submitted to receive an invitation to submit a full grant application.

Grant Application Deadline:

The Weld Trust decision date on grant applications:

Grant Funding Date:

** All dates above are approximate.

• Each organization will be limited to two approved grants per funding cycle, and six approved grants per calendar year.

Key Initiative: Behavioral Health

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will work with nonprofit agencies, schools, and government entities throughout Weld County to fund behavioral and mental health resources for children, youth, and families in need.

•The Weld Trust will fund the development of programs for youth in Weld County that focus on mental wellness.

•The Weld Trust will fund crisis intervention resources and services.

Key Initiative: Food Security

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will convene the collaborative partners that are providing food security to determine priorities countywide.

•The Weld Trust will fund collaborative programs and resources that put nutritious food into the hands of people in need across Weld County.

Key Initiative: Housing Stability

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will support the collaborative organizations that address the needs of the most vulnerable population experiencing housing instability.

Key Initiative: Access to Resources

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will support the development of career paths, STEM, and vocational/technical training opportunities for K-12 students in Weld County.

•The Weld Trust will support collaborative initiatives that provide site-based services for K-12 students in Weld County.

Key Initiative: Childhood Literacy

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will support organizations that can improve childhood literacy education and resources for families.

•The Weld Trust will fund organizations that market and promote quality resources for families that will improve childhood literacy.

Key Initiative: Workforce Development

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will align, convene, and work with countywide leadership and stakeholders to guide long-term sustainable strategies for workforce development.

•The Weld Trust will market resources for workforce development along with technical and vocational opportunities to Weld County employers, students of all ages, and institutions.

•The Weld Trust will support the development of a framework for internships, apprenticeship programs, and career pathways across Weld County.

Key Initiative: Healthy Habits

Funding Strategies

•The Weld Trust will strive to remove the most significant barriers to access so that Weld County citizens of all ages can build healthy habits.

•The Weld Trust will fund informational campaigns around Weld County to encourage the early development of healthy habits including exercise, diet and nutrition, and preventive health care.

Measurements of Success

The Weld Trust will measure our success through these big picture outcomes. We recognize that these outcomes may take many years, even decades to achieve. To measure progress toward these outcomes, there are specific metrics and indicators that will be tracked collaboratively with our partners and other funders providing the critical services that drive the outcomes described below.

Maximize access to nutritious food for all Weld County residents

Fewer Weld County residents with untreated behavioral health problems

Greater access to educational resources

Fewer Weld County residents experiencing homelessness

Food Security HousingStability AccesstoResources

Greater access to resources resulting in healthier lifestyle behaviors

Higher 3rd grade literacy and increased high school graduation rates

Childhood Literacy WorkforceDevelopment

T o p r o m ote excellence in h e a l t h a n d education in Weld Co u n t y . T o p r o m ote excellence in h e a l t h a n d e ducation in Weld C o u n t y

The Work Ahead

With our focus on funding strategic, measurable programs and valid scientific outcomes, we look with hope and positivity to a better future for everyone who lives in Weld County. A critical part of our approach will be the execution of this plan and sharing the lessons we will learn. We commit to improving our strategic framework, celebrating our successes as a community, and sharing where we can improve as we all move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the source of funding for The Weld Trust?

The Weld Trust, formerly known as NCMC Inc., was formed in 1985. NCMC Inc. was created to assume the responsibility of the day-to-day operations of Greeley’s hospital, North Colorado Medical Center. In 2019, NCMC Inc. sold the hospital buildings, off-campus real estate, land, and equipment to Banner Health. At that same time, the name was changed from NCMC Inc. to The Weld Trust.

What areas does The Weld Trust fund? Is my organization eligible to apply for a grant?

The Weld Trust is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that awards grants to nonprofits, schools, and government entities pursuant to our mission to promote excellence in health and education across Weld County.

How can I learn more about The Weld Trust’s grant making guidelines?

The Weld Trust provides grants to organizations in the areas of health and education located in Weld County or for Weld County residents. There are seven key funding initiatives:

Do you give grants to organizations outside Weld County?

The Weld Trust provides funding exclusively for organizations located in Weld County or providing services for Weld County residents.

Are there deadlines or cycles for submitting grant applications?

The Weld Trust awards grants through specific identified programs and RFP cycles. The RFP cycles align with the seven funding initiatives of The Weld Trust.

I am interested in The Weld Trust sponsoring an event. How do I request support?

Applications for event sponsorships for organizations that serve Weld County whose programs align with the mission of the Weld Trust are accepted year-round. Applications for event sponsorships are encouraged to be submitted at least 90 days in advance of the event. To learn more about these funding initiatives, please visit weldtrust.org.

Does The Weld Trust accept donations or are there volunteer opportunities?

Yes! Our website weldtrust.org is set up to accept donations. All donations go toward funding our key initiatives. If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please contact us through our website.

Acknowledgements

To all our nonprofit agencies, school districts, health care providers, stakeholders, public service partners, and individuals:

Thank you for what you are doing for the community and for allowing The Weld Trust an opportunity to come alongside with you and support the work that you do. Because of your thoughtful feedback, tireless work, and commitment to the future excellence of health and education, we all have a brighter future together.

Photos of Weld County courtesy of Jennifer Finch/Weld County Government.