20/30 CLUB HAS MANY NEW LEADERS

September 23, 2008

It’s far easier to stereotype young business professionals as being disconnected from their communities than to recognize their contributions.

But NoCo Active 20/30 Children’s Foundation, a local group of “next-generation” leaders, defies such stereotypes.

In September, 21 members of the group hosted its first event – a fundraiser for Partners of Larimer County and Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County. And they raised a whopping $80,000 in one night.

NoCo Active 20/30, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, was launched in May to boost community awareness and benevolence among younger business professionals. The service organization has a goal of generating $100,000 in net donations for children’s-based organizations in its first year, so it is well on its way.

Northern Colorado is no different from other regions in that the same people are usually tapped to organize events and lead public discussions. Sometimes, that approach can create a gap in participation among young professionals.

But members of this new service organization are showing they are willing to break with tradition and ignore boundaries by uniting leaders in Larimer and Weld counties in identifying ways to improve children’s lives.

This new, diverse service organization has found its niche in a region already characterized by its giving spirit.