Give Next
Give Next
Youth Grantmaking Program
"Inspiring Youth, Building Community"
What is Give Next?
Give Next is a school-based youth grantmaking program where Loveland High School students gain hands-on experience in philanthropy and community leadership. Through this year-long program, students explore complex social issues, engage with local nonprofits, and make meaningful decisions about how to invest $5,000 in our Northern Colorado community.
Meeting Information: TBD — Contact Molly Davies for details
What Students Gain:
- Community service hours toward graduation requirements
- Hands-on experience in philanthropic decision-making
- Understanding of nonprofit organizations and social issues
- Leadership and critical thinking skills
- Networking with community leaders and nonprofits
- Field trips to CSU and nonprofit site visits
$5,000
Per Classroom to Grant
34+
Classrooms in Larimer County
$177K+
Total Awarded Annually
The Give Next Process
The program year begins with an exciting conference at Colorado State University where students:
- Meet representatives from 50+ Larimer County nonprofits
- Attend nonprofit-led workshops and presentations
- Hear from inspiring speakers about community issues
- Participate in career and post-secondary education panels
- Begin exploring social issues they're passionate about
Typically held in early October
Throughout the fall, students engage in deep exploration:
- Research community issues like food insecurity, housing, mental health, and education
- Discuss and debate which issues matter most to them
- Develop a classroom mission statement that guides their grantmaking
- Learn about the nonprofit sector and how organizations create change
- Develop critical thinking skills through analysis of complex social issues
Students connect directly with local nonprofits through:
- Reviewing grant applications from interested organizations
- Hosting nonprofit presentations in the classroom
- Site visits to see organizations' work firsthand
- Conducting interviews with executive directors and staff
- Analyzing organizational budgets and financial statements
- Asking thoughtful questions about impact and sustainability
Students often say these meetings are the highlight of the program - nonprofits treat them like adults and value their perspectives.
In small groups and as a full classroom, students:
- Discuss each nonprofit's alignment with their mission
- Evaluate organizational effectiveness and impact
- Consider financial health and sustainability
- Share personal perspectives and experiences
- Practice consensus-building and compromise
- Make final decisions about grant recipients and amounts
Student Voice Matters: The power truly shifts to youth - these are their decisions, guided by their values and understanding of community needs.
In the spring, classrooms celebrate their impact:
- Students present grants to selected nonprofits
- Nonprofit leaders attend to receive awards
- Students explain their decision-making process
- Community members celebrate youth leadership
- Students reflect on what they've learned
2025 Impact: 34 classrooms awarded over $177,250 to nonprofits across Larimer County
Real Impact Stories
Heart J Center at Sylvan Dale Ranch
When students at Mountain View High School and Lucile Erwin Middle School identified youth mental health as a critical issue, they awarded nearly $5,000 to Heart J Center for a pilot mental health program called "Elevate."
The pilot's success led to a $316,000 multi-year grant from The Colorado Trust, enabling the program to serve approximately 2,700 people across Northern Colorado.
"Thanks to the early support from Give Next students, thousands more young people and families across Northern Colorado now have the opportunity to build mindfulness and wellness skills." — Laura Armstrong, Executive Director
"I like looking at what each nonprofit does and how they spend money."
"Give Next helped me realize that some people need help and others need support. My favorite thing about Give Next is helping people and nonprofits in our community."
"The nonprofit meetings were an empowering experience - they treated us like adults."
"The questions that are brought up bring us new insight on what is important to youth, so it helps us grow as an organization." — Nonprofit Executive Director
Program Partners
Give Next is made possible through collaboration between:
- Bohemian Foundation — Provides program funding and administration
- Community Foundation of Northern Colorado (NoCo Foundation) — Processes donations and grant awards
- Community Advisory Committee — Secures classroom funding and supports events
- Local Businesses & Individual Donors — Fund student grantmaking
- 50+ Larimer County Nonprofits — Share their expertise and missions
Important: 100% of donations go directly to student grantmaking - administrative costs are covered separately.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join fellow Red Wolves in learning about philanthropy and making real impact in Northern Colorado!
All freshmen especially encouraged to attend!
Contact Molly Davies for meeting times and location
Contact Molly Davies