Highlights from 2025 show significant growth in resources and impact. Through generous donations and strong investment performance, our total assets grew to $211 million, a 13% increase that strengthens long-term charitable resources to benefit western Colorado. More importantly, we distributed $9.53 million in grants and scholarships, a 14% year-over-year increase. For nonprofits, that means more funding support and deeper partnerships to not only support their work but to adapt and innovate as needs change.

Many of the 18 new donor funds established in 2025 will benefit communities outside Mesa County, underscoring our commitment to the entire Western Slope.

Growth in responsive funds allowed us to act when it mattered most. We distributed $950,000 to hunger relief organizations, including nearly $100,000 in emergency grants to support families impacted by the freeze in SNAP benefits last fall. More than $1.6 million went toward affordable housing and homeless shelter solutions, helping stabilize some of our most vulnerable neighbors. And through our Meet the Moment Community Grants, we provided over $500,000 in grants, along with budget scenario trainings and one-on-one consulting to nonprofits navigating reductions in government funding.

These numbers reflect more than growth; they reflect responsiveness, partnership, and trust. Thank you for working with us to amplify generosity across western Colorado.

Chloe Mayer, 2025 Willson Scholarship Recipient

A Legacy Rooted In Values:

Harry Willson's Story

When Harry Willson began his estate planning in 2012, he wasn’t just drafting a will, he was considering the kind of legacy he wanted to leave. With no immediate family to inherit his estate, Harry chose to invest in the broader community. While considering his legacy intentions, Harry decided to put his assets to work earlier, establishing a scholarship fund in 2012. The Willson Scholarship Fund is guided by a belief that it’s better to give someone the tools to help themselves than to offer temporary relief. For him, education is one of those tools, an investment that opens doors for a lifetime.

“Education is a tool that lasts a lifetime.”

Over the past 13 years, the impact of the Willson Scholarship Fund has been clear, supporting approximately 70 students with more than $500,000 in scholarship funding. Each year, Harry receives letters from recipients sharing updates about their studies, careers, and milestones. “It’s amazing what many of these students have accomplished,” Harry says. “They are very inspiring and reinforce why I wanted to do this in the first place. Our future is in good hands.” Many students express a desire to pay their opportunity forward, a hope Harry quietly carries for each of them.

Harry’s generosity to his community extends beyond scholarships. As a member of WCCF’s CORE Giving Circle, he joins others in supporting conservation, outdoor recreation, and environment initiatives that strengthen the region. A lifelong believer in protecting the outdoors, he values both preserving landscapes and helping those with limited opportunities enjoy all the benefits of outdoor recreation.

“Doing what you think is meaningful, combined with others doing what they think is meaningful, is what makes this work,” he says. He believes integrity is the foundation. It requires aligning values with action.

That belief also shapes how he gives his time. Through volunteering with Kids Aid, often behind the scenes, Harry has seen how even small acts of generosity ripple outward.

“Providing food to school age children not only helps that individual or family,” he reflects, “but there are benefits for the whole community.”

Harry’s generosity also looks to the future. He has made a generous estate commitment to the Western Colorado Community Foundation to ensure his scholarship continues supporting students for generations to come. His legacy gift will also support causes he cares deeply about, including the CORE Fund and Kids Aid.

For Harry, generosity is not defined by dollars alone. Promoting the values that matter most through time, resources, or leadership has been deeply meaningful. His story is a reminder that legacy is built not only in what we give, but also in how we live.

For others who share Harry’s desire to support our community beyond their lifetime, the Western Colorado Community Foundation can help shape values and resources into a lasting legacy plan. We're here to help. Please contact klynch@wc-cf.org or call our office at (970) 243-3767.

Commonly known as OWL, School District 51's Outdoor Wilderness Lab is a one-of-a-kind outdoor school that brings experiential science and social-emotional learning to students across the Grand Valley. OWL is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it relocates from its previous home on the banks of the Dolores River at the Gateway School to a more central location close to the Colorado National Monument. The 2025 Turner Gulch Fire burn scar created significant flood risk to its previous location, necesitating the move.

Founded in 2012 as a partnership between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and D51, OWL offers immersive outdoor learning experiences that connect students to geology, plant and wildlife ecology, watershed studies, and personal growth through field-based science and exploration. OWL’s lead teacher, Greg Weckenbrock, was the original visionary behind the program when he was a 6th grade teacher at Bookcliff Middle School.

Last month, members of WCCF’s CORE Giving Circle had the opportunity to visit OWL’s new location on the Redlands. The new location, which will pilot programing in the upcoming school year, not only preserves the spirit of outdoor learning, but will make the program accessible for more of D51 students.

Since 2019, WCCF has provided $90,750 to support OWL's student financial assistance and funding for program materials and overnight camping facilities.

For more about OWL, visit the website here. If you’re interested in learning more about OWL’s Community Action Group, please email Greg Weckenbrock.

Celebrating 150 Years

Honoring Our Past, Investing in Our Future 

This year commemorates 250 years since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence and 150 years since Colorado achieved statehood. Because these milestones fall in the same year, Colorado is the only state recognizing both anniversaries at once, a celebration called the Sesquisemiquincentennial, though most people simply refer to it as Colorado’s 250/150. History Colorado is leading a statewide effort to coordinate year-long celebrations and community activities across the state.

Recently, Zeb Miracle, CEO of Roice Hurst Humane Society and board member of History Colorado visited WCCF staff and board, sharing highlights from the statewide effort and the unique opportunities it presents for western Colorado. During his visit, Zeb highlighted how local communities can participate in Colorado’s 250/150 celebrations, connect with historical initiatives, and invest in enduring local impact. To learn more click here.

Additionally, this year carries extra milestones for our region as the Town of Ouray also celebrates its 150th anniversary. In honor of this anniversary, WCCF is proud to help amplify local participation through the launch of 150 for 150: A Legacy Campaign, an effort to raise $150,000 for the Ouray County Community Fund endowment.

This investment will grow permanent grantmaking resources for local nonprofits, ensuring that generosity today continues to strengthen Ouray County for generations to come.

As a trusted convener and community partner, WCCF begins by listening, then acts with purpose.

Our Impact Work connects people, ideas, and resources to support and strengthen the efforts advancing Outdoor Recreation and Environment (CORE), Hunger Relief, and Youth Well-being across our region.

Powered by the generosity of our donors, this work gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs, invest in local solutions, and amplify the work of the people and places that make western Colorado home.

This work doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through partnership and it happens because of you.

Conservation & Environment

Welcome new CORE Members

We are pleased to welcome three new household members to the CORE Giving Circle this year: Pam and Malcom Childers, Gordon and Lay Chin Nicholson, and Danni Langdon and Carl Jacobson. Their commitment strengthens a growing community of donors who care deeply about the lands, waters, and outdoor experiences that shape life in western Colorado.

The CORE Giving Circle brings people together through shared learning and collective giving to support projects that protect natural resources and expand access to outdoor recreation across the region. By pooling resources and ideas, members help invest in the landscapes and outdoor opportunities that make this place so special.

To learn more, contact Emily Orbanek

Hunger Relief

A New Partnership for the Future of Meals on Wheels Mesa County

For over 35 years, St. Mary’s Regional Hospital has been the sponsoring organization of Meals on Wheels (MOW), Mesa County’s leading program in providing nutritious meals to seniors. On April 18, the sponsorship of the program will change to Volunteers of America (VOA) Colorado, a nonprofit organization that has a long history of supporting senior well-being. VOA Colorado is the largest statewide provider of the Meals on Wheels program and is well-positioned to support MOW into the future.

WCCF has proudly granted over $500,000 since 2021, including $120,000 for MOW’s new kitchen and offices co-located with Food Bank of the Rockies in 2022. The current waitlist is 75 seniors. After April 18, donations should be directed to VOA Colorado, Attn: MOW Mesa County, 2660 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205.

Youth Development

Heads Up Parenting Now in Garfield County!

Our Heads Up Parenting campaign is expanding to Garfield County! Thanks to support from the El Pomar Foundation, we are helping parents foster mindful parenting and healthy technology habits for children.

Materials are available in English and Spanish, including  I Gain…Without Screens, a practical tip sheet from the Global Alliance for Inspiring Non-Tech Infant Nurturing and Growth.



To request free resources or schedule a presentation, email Tedi Gillespie or Sarah Fuller.

HomewardBound was founded 28 years ago to provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Due to financial constraints, the North Avenue shelter in Grand Junction closed on February 28, with services consolidating at their Pathways Family Shelter. With limited beds, roughly 80 people will no longer have access to overnight shelter.

As the largest overnight shelter between Denver and Salt Lake City, HomewardBound has long been supported by WCCF donors. The organization also partners with the Mesa County Hunger Alliance on grocery rescue and meal preparation for clients.

Years ago, Chris Masters came to the shelter when he had nowhere else to turn. Today he serves as Chief Operating Officer and says, “the best way to support the unhoused is to replace stigma with compassion. When a community chooses to see the humanity in every person and backs that up with action, real change becomes possible.”

Community members can help through donations, volunteer time, and essential items. See here for more information. Additionally, Mutual Aid is collecting supplies, including tents, sleeping bags, emergency blankets, sleeping pads, and hygiene kits. Feel free to contact organizations directly to learn what is needed most, as needs vary week to week.

Celebrating Deirdre McLoughlin

In January, we said goodbye to Deirdre McLoughlin after nearly ten years as our Scholarship Program Manager. During her time, she helped award more than $8.3 million in scholarships to over 1,300 students attending 210 institutions, opening doors to educational opportunities across western Colorado.

Beyond the numbers, Deirdre was often the first welcoming face visitors to WCCF encountered. She was a steady, cheerful presence for donors and students alike.

As she heads off into retirement, Deirdre’s kindness, enthusiasm and commitment to students won’t soon be forgotten.  

Congratulations and Happy Retirement, Deirdre!   

Emily Orbanek Promoted to Vice President

We’re proud to share that Emily Orbanek has been promoted to Vice President of the Western Colorado Community Foundation.

In this role, Emily will continue to partner closely with Anne Wenzel, our President & CEO, and leadership team, strengthening internal operations, supporting strategic priorities, and deepening relationships across the communities we serve. Her promotion reflects the steady leadership she already brings to WCCF, including thoughtful decision-making, strong stewardship of resources, and a deep understanding of our mission and values.

We’re excited for the leadership she will continue to provide in this expanded role and grateful for the way she helps move our work forward every day.

If you’re exploring the idea of creating your own charitable fund, please contact Kristin Lynch at 970-243-3767, or email klynch@wc-cf.org.

Learn more at www.wc-cf.org