City Give links your passion to the long-term stability of the City of Fort Collins. The City has long been the beneficiary of charitable giving: The Senior Center, Inspiration Playground, conservation easements, The Lincoln Center. And, most recently, the Poudre River Whitewater Park and improvements to Eastside Park.
Together, we can build a stronger community, and pair your generosity with community impact.
As elected officials and administration change over time, City Give will remain independent and non-partisan, focusing on the long-term vibrancy of our community. When you donate to City Give, it is an investment in the mission and services of the City of Fort Collins.
City Give operates with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and efficiency, and is committed to an exceptional level of stewardship of all funds.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Each year, the City of Fort Collins receives a tremendous range of charitable support, from gifts of real estate to business sponsorships of community events, from foundations grants to personal checks written in appreciation of our services.
The City of Fort Collins is committed to financial oversight, and City Give serves to ensure accountability, transparency, and the responsible use of charitable dollars in the best interest of the city’s residents. Learn more about how our innovative in-house approach to charitable giving, and our commitment to the responsible stewardship of community generosity.
Click to Read FAQ PDF
A pioneering link between community giving and City priorities, City Give is designed to be a lasting agent and remain as an independent and non-partisan initiative, focusing on the long-term vibrancy and stewardship of our community.
City Give’s operational protocols and governance structure will uphold the public’s trust in our ability to honor donor intent and make meaningful investments in our community.
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Yes. Per IRS code 26 U.S.C. 170(c)(1), a gift to a local government entity is tax deductible if the gift is for public purpose.
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No. Charitable gifts to the City can only be used for the intended purpose. Charitable gifts to the City of Fort Collins are delivered directly into the budgets of benefiting projects, and can’t be redirected by elected officials or City staff.
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The City will work diligently to protect and maintain the confidentiality of a donor’s name and privileged information at a donor’s request. And, City staff will not disclose privileged or confidential information to unauthorized parties at any time for any purpose. However, the City of Collins as a public institution, may be required legally to disclose the terms a charitable gift if requested by an interested party.
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No. Philanthropic gifts are not charged administrative fees by City Give or the City of Fort Collins. All gifts to the City do fully and directly to the project or program you choose.
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Strong oversight of philanthropic gifts is a priority, and the City of Fort Collins has created multiple layers of accountability and transparency for donated funds and the projects receiving donated funds. City Give is subject to the City’s policies and regulations, including the City’s accounting and conflict of interest policies.
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No, charitable giving is not a political vehicle or beyond the scope and transparency of the public oversight. Charitable gifts must reflect the priorities and needs of the City of Fort Collins, and align with City Plan and the City’s strategic objectives.
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No, however community needs are always deeper than any City’s budget. Charitable gifts are a vehicle to expand and enrich City programs and services: from youth recreation to public art, from neighborhood park improvements to urban gardens, from the performing arts to the preservation of open spaces.
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When you donate to City Give, it is an investment in the potential of what our City has to offer. Fort Collins will continue to grow and change, and we want to keep – or even expand – the same level of excellent service and experiences for which we are known.
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The City Give portfolio includes a growing range of giving opportunities, including the future 9/11 Memorial Park; Restorative Justice, a juvenile diversion program; and, our parks and trails. City Give also hosts online giving campaigns including, Give to Serve and Share Some Shade.
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We heard from residents, colleagues and donors that we needed to “get our charitable house in order” and that is exactly what we did. This new structure to facilitate municipal giving reflects considerable thought and conversations within Fort Collins and with other communities across the country. Our unique model creates an organized, transparent structure for quickly getting charitable gifts directly to the projects that can best benefit from support.
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Checks can be made payable to City of Fort Collins, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524, Attention: City Give. Or, contact Nina Bodenhamer, City Give Director at 970-221-6687.