3 Organizations for Women Philanthropists in Fort Collins
From time to time, I’m asked about how to give back, where to volunteer, or how to get to know more people in our community. And, there are three organizations that I hold near and dear to my heart.
Junior League of Fort Collins
I joined the Junior League of Fort Collins when I was new to Fort Collins and seeking friendship and community. The friendships and connections I made during my time as an active member (five years) are still going strong today. The Junior League has a number of incredible programs that support women and children in Northern Colorado, including their Career Closet, Hunger Initiative and Imagination Series.
As a member and committee leader, I was active in the communications and marketing strategy. But, I used my volunteer hours primarily on the Hunger Initiative and Career Closet.
Want to get involved?
Sign up to be a delivery driver for the Hunger Initiative. Once a month, you’ll pick up snacks the Larimer County Food Bank and deliver it to a Title I school in our district. It takes about an hour and is immediately gratifying.
Volunteer to sort, press, and organize clothes at the Career Closet. The Career Closet offer gently used clothing to women in need. They provide a wardrobe of interview and work appropriate clothing to women on a path to self-sufficiency.
WomenGive
WomenGive was created to fill an important need in our community - providing childcare scholarships to single mothers seeking higher education. WomenGive is a program through the United Way of Larimer County that serves 35+ women and 50+ kids in our community - every semester! We’re enabling single mothers to concentrate on their studies with the knowledge that their children are being provided high-quality care. I sit on the Leadership Committee and Chair the Communications Committee which allows me to give financially and with volunteer time.
Want to get involved?
Start with a pledge. To become a member, all you need to do is pledge $500/year which can be deducted monthly, quarterly or annually.
Volunteer on the Communications Committee. My favorite part of the organization is the encouragement we provide to our recipients. Our committee hand writes encouragement cards, mid-term well wishes, birthday notes, and graduation cards for the women and children in the program. It feels great and every mother mentions how much the cards mean when they share about their experience in the program.
Project Self-Sufficiency
Project Self-Sufficiency (PSS) is a program that I am only recently connected to through WomenGive. As a member of the Leadership Committee, I am a liaison to the scholarship program at PSS. PSS exists to help single parents get their lives on track to become self-sufficient. The incredible thing is, through PSS, women are introduced to WomenGive and the Career Closet to support them. And many have not only graduated the program, but have gone on to become members, contributors and volunteers for all three of these organizations.
Want to get involved?
Visit their website where you can make a donation or sign up to volunteer your time.
The Benefits of Volunteering
Through these incredible organizations, i’ve not only filled my need to contribute to the community and connect with other women, I’ve also had the opportunity to grow professionally. As a volunteer, there are opportunities to dive into financial planning and budgeting, communications and marketing, team management, event planning, and strategic leadership. I’ve gained just as much professional experience as life experience through these organizations and I couldn’t be more grateful.