Community Foundation Distributes $29K to Lafayette Nonprofits

UPDATE: The Community Foundation Boulder County has just awarded approximately $29,000 to 12 local nonprofits through the One Lafayette fund, a significant boost for organizations providing essential services in Lafayette, Colorado. This funding is crucial as it comes during a pivotal shift in the program’s administration, now managed entirely by the Community Foundation.

The grant recipients include vital services such as food assistance and youth support. Notable organizations receiving funding are Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, Community Food Share, Rise Against Suicide, and the YMCA of Northern Colorado. Each organization will use the funds to enhance their programs and reach more community members in need.

This year’s One Lafayette grant program marks a significant transition. Previously overseen by city staff, the program is now administered by the Community Foundation after Lafayette officials announced the change in December 2024. This decision followed the approval of a dedicated mental health and human services sales tax in 2021, which now provides Lafayette with its own funding source for community grants, according to city spokesperson Natalie Miller.

City Manager Kady Doelling commented on the evolution of the fund, stating, “Much has evolved since the creation of the fund in 2008. The new sales and use tax is dedicated to providing similar support through a city-managed grant program to further expand impact for our residents.”

The One Lafayette fund has been a cornerstone of community support since its inception in the early 2000s, formalized in 2008 with an initial contribution of “seed money” from the city. The fund is structured to ensure that the principal remains intact, with a percentage of the investment income used annually for grantmaking.

The 2025 grants have already been distributed to this year’s recipients, and the Community Foundation anticipates that future annual grantmaking totals will remain consistent with this year’s distribution. A Community Foundation spokesperson emphasized the ongoing partnership with Lafayette, saying, “We are honored to carry on the work of the One Lafayette fund.”

Community members interested in supporting the One Lafayette fund can contribute by mailing checks to the city, ensuring the continued support of local nonprofits.

Here’s a breakdown of the grants awarded this year:

– Coal Creek Adult Education Center – $2,000
– Coal Creek Meals on Wheels – $3,500
– Community Food Share – $3,500
– Imagine! – $2,000
– Rise Against Suicide – $2,000
– Rocky Mountain Legal Center – $2,000
– Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence – $2,000
– Sister Carmen Community Center – $3,750
– Thorne Nature Experience – $2,000
– Arts Hub – $2,000
– WOW! Children’s Museum – $2,000
– YMCA of Northern Colorado – $2,000

As Lafayette transitions to this new grant administration structure, the community looks forward to enhanced support for critical local services. Stay tuned for further updates on the impact of these grants and how they will shape the future of Lafayette’s nonprofit landscape.