Give Next

Youth Grantmaking Program

💰 $5,000 Classroom Grant

Students award grants to local nonprofits addressing critical community needs

“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

$5K
per classroom to grant

34+
classrooms in Larimer County

$177K+
total awarded annually

The Give Next Process

Give Next Kickoff Day

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

Research and Mission Development

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

Nonprofit Engagement

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.

Deliberation and Decision Making

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.

Award Ceremonies

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 and 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

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