CHARITABLE GIVING TIP:

MAXIMIZE YOUR GIVING (and minimize tax impact) WITH A QCD FUND THROUGH YOUR IRA

If you’re charitably inclined and over age 70½, there’s a powerful — and often overlooked — way to give more to the causes you care about while reducing your tax burden: a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA.

A Qualified Charitable Distribution allows you to donate directly from your IRA to an eligible charity. And when you establish a QCD Fund at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, you can:

• Access YVCF's expertise – learn about nonprofits and needs in the Yampa Valley
• Simplify charitable giving – make one distribution and support multiple charities
• Stay tax‑efficient – avoid recognizing IRA distributions as income

Want to learn more and see if a QCD Fund is right for you? Call or email Traci to hear about the benefits and options available.

URGENT FUNDING NEED MET

DENTAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS

YVCF has helped secure $38,000 in funding for Northwest Colorado Health to cover seven months of dental services for low income, under- or uninsured older adult patients.

After learning in late 2025 that state funding for these services was being reduced, Northwest Colorado Health began working to identify alternative and ongoing funding sources. However, immediate funds were needed to continue providing services for at least 50 seniors until other grant funding could be accessed and to avoid passing costs directly to limited-income seniors who would likely forego important care such as exams, cleanings, dentures and more. YVCF was pleased to quickly identify three generous donors willing to cover the gap so these essential dental care services could continue uninterrupted. Thank you donors!

FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE

CLIMATE ACTION COLLABORATIVE FUND

The Routt County Climate Action Collaborative Fund provides grants for projects that align with and help achieve the Climate Action Plan. This unique source of funding encourages nonprofits from all sectors to think creatively and engage in resiliency practices that will allow Routt County to prepare for anticipated changes in the region's climate and the impact those changes will have on citizens, landowners, and businesses. In 2025, the first year of granting, four projects were funded for a total of $50,000.

With the grant money received [in 2025] we were able to work on 4 additional homes in Routt County. The funding paid for measures like an Energy Star refrigerator, air source heat pumps, insulation (attic, walls, and subspace), and a high efficiency furnace upgrade. Thank you for the funding! 

-          Nate Speerstra, Energy Program Manager II, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments

Your donation will directly support local climate action projects like:

• Habitat restoration (wetlands, post-fire regeneration, and reforestation of riparian corridors)
• Waste diversion
• Commercial and residential fuel-switching
• Energy assessments
• Deployment of renewable energy, and
• Implementation of climate-friendly transportation solutions

A generous supporter has provided a $25,000 challenge to incentivize additional donations to support the 2026 grant cycle. $5,000 has been contributed - $20,000 to go!

AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUND HIGHLIGHT

TREAD OF PIONEERS MUSEUM

One of the many ways the Yampa Valley Community Foundation supports nonprofits is through Agency Endowment Management.

Nonprofit organizations build endowments to establish stable, predictable sources of income for current and future needs. The Foundation manages and invests endowed funds, creating a permanent pool of assets that grow over time and can provide a reliable source of additional income each year. Annual distributions follow our endowed fund spending policy, and the nonprofit can choose to use the distribution for current funding needs or to waive the distribution and roll it back into the fund balance.

Having established their endowment in 2002, Tread of Pioneers Museum is an excellent example of a nonprofit that has grown their endowment over time and can now take distributions needed for ongoing operations or programming. This spring, Tread of Pioneers Museum is using its spendable distribution to cover costs for their capital project rebuilding the exhibit enclosure building around a beloved artifact—The Pilot stage wagon. They invite you to visit and view the newly constructed display building which now offers museum-quality protection for this irreplaceable item of historical significance to the Yampa Valley.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR

PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

Do you know an individual, business, or youth who has exhibited significant charitable giving, insightful leadership, and volunteerism and/or who encourages others to contribute by example? Please take a moment to submit a nomination for the 2026 Philanthropist of the Year Award by May 1, 2026.

YVCF HONORED WITH THE

CITY OF STEAMBOAT & MAIN STREET STEAMBOAT

LEGACY BUSINESS AWARD

UPCOMING EVENTS

YAMPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

970.879.8632

info@yvcf.org