Dot Org – KGNU Community Radio

The Urban Farm (TUF) is a community farm and educational center dedicated to removing barriers to entry—such as land access, location, and finances—so that urban youth can directly engage with local food and agricultural systems. By providing hands-on, practical work experience in a farm setting, the organization aims to inspire a passion for learning while fostering core values like respect, responsibility, curiosity, and grit. Ultimately, the farm works to educate and empower future generations of farmers, healthy eaters, and sustainably minded consumers right within the city.

Interivew by DeRae Logan

Chris Schulz talks to Eric Hozempa from the Longmont Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated profitdedicated to improving life in the St. Vrain Valley through charitable leadership and grant-making. It serves as a hub for local generosity, helping donors create personalized funds and supporting non-profits through various programs. The foundation places a significant emphasis on equity and inclusion, working to remove institutional barriers and repair historical harm within the community. Through its initiatives, it fosters local connections and addresses critical needs in areas like housing affordability, education, and small business support.

Nicola Redl sits down with Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith to discuss the evolution of the Colorado-based nonprofit from its 1978 origins into a year-round cinematic powerhouse. Smith explains how their programming team curates a diverse slate by scouting major global festivals like Sundance and Cannes while managing over 1,400 annual submissions to find the best stories for the Sie FilmCenter and the annual Denver Film Festival.

DeRae Logan interviews Dave Crawford, co-founder and executive director Animal Help Now who’s mission is to provide technology that aids animals in distress including the namesake Animal Help Now app connecting users with nearby wildlife rehabilitators, and Pet Help & Rescue, and a neighbor-based messaging app for evacuating pets during disasters.

Kurt Colehower interviews Lloyd Lewis, the President and CEO of Arc Thrift Stores, about the organization’s significant impact as one of Colorado’s largest nonprofits since its founding in 1968. With a mission centered on advocacy and employment for individuals with developmental disabilities—such as Down syndrome and autism—Arc Thrift currently employs 600 people with these disabilities and supports 15 advocacy chapters across the state. Lewis, who joined in 2005 after a career at IBM and was inspired by his son Kennedy, highlights that the organization is sustained by 6 million annual store transactions and over 100 million pounds of donations. Community members can support their mission through shopping, volunteering, or making financial contributions at arcthrift.com.

Social Venture Partners Boulder strengthens the local community by bridging the gap between engaged donors and high-potential nonprofits. Functioning as a network of “Partners,” helps nonprofits increase their internal capacity and operational scale, focusiong on delivering measurable social impact while offering its members professional development and leadership opportunities.

Interview with Josh Silberstein by DeRae Logan

The TRU Thrift Shop operates as a vital community resource in Boulder, supporting the extensive hospice and palliative care services of TRU Community Care. Their mission is to provide sustainable funding for compassionate end-of-life care, grief support, and specialized programs. Beyond store sales, the Thrift Shop runs the “Giving Room,” which partners with over 30 local nonprofits with the sustainability goal of keeping usable items out of landfills.

Located within the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder, The BUENO Center for Multicultural Education is a national leader in advocate-driven research and training for culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Its mission is to promote quality education with a strong emphasis on cultural pluralism, specifically facilitating equal educational opportunities for diverse learners and students with special needs. For over 40 years, the center has bridged the gap between theory and practice through programs ranging from high school equivalency (GED) support to advanced graduate degrees in equity and biliteracy.

The Partnership For Age-Friendly Communities (PAFC) is a non-profit organization based in Fort Collins, Colorado, dedicated to building livable communities for people of all ages. Through grassroots efforts, the agency focuses on key areas such as housing advocacy, cultural inclusion, mobility, and wellness. They offer a variety of programs to keep older adults engaged and supported, including tech assistance, intergenerational conversations, and monthly lunch and learns.

NeuroPong is focused on harnessing the power of table tennis to enhance the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of individuals living with neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Dementia. Founded by Dr. Antonino Barbera after his own diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis and rediscovery of the sport’s benefits, the program aims to promote neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by providing a challenging, engaging stimulus through tailored table tennis activity.