Good News: Cottonwood Institute is celebrating its 20th birthday on September 27th, 2024 – Look out! Cottonwood has served over 7,185 students over the years breaking down barriers to connect more kids to nature and inspiring them to become changemakers in their communities. Challenge: Cottonwood had another outstanding programming year as highlighted in our Impact… Read more »
Posts By: Ford Church
Changemaker Program Year In Review 2023-24
And just like that, another inspiring cohort of Changemaker Outdoor Leadership Corps (a.k.a. Changemaker) students wrapped up an incredible year. Let’s take a look back to see what the Changemaker students accomplished for the 2023-24 programming year: This past fall, Changemakers hiked the Boulder Flatirons and enjoyed a September sunset picnic giving their program year… Read more »
Rock On: 2024 Beats On The Creek Summer Concert Series Is Back!
August 2nd, 2024 Update: The 2024 Beats on the Creek summer concert series to benefit Cottonwood Institute is a wrap. A huge thank you to Tom and Diane Coohill and the Coohills Restaurant staff and volunteers for helping us raise over $23,000 to support our Colorado Watershed Projects with Lincoln Hills Cares this summer. And… Read more »
Alumni Spotlight: Coral Amayi Shares How Her CAP Class Impacted Her Career 20 Years Later
We recently caught up with Coral Amayi, who took one of our original Community Adventure Programs (CAP Class) at New Vista High School 20 years ago back in 2004 with Ford Church, our Founder and Executive Director How have you used the skills you learned in CAP Class in your career today? I have absolutely… Read more »
Donate $10,000 To Cottonwood Institute And Receive A 3-Night Inspirato Vacation Package
Yep, you read that right. We are so excited to partner with Inspirato to offer a special incentive to our donors. Donate $10,000+ in Cryptocurrency, stock, or via your Donor Advised Fund through our partners at The Giving Block by September 30, 2024 and receive a 3 night Inspirato vacation package for 2-4 people… Read more »
14ers Watercolor Exhibit Lands At Denver International Airport
We are excited to announce that the 14ers Portraits watercolor collection by Mike Wilson are now on exhibit at Denver International Airport (DEN) to benefit Cottonwood Institute from March – September 2024. Local artist, Mike Wilson, generously donated his beautiful collection of 53 watercolors of all of the 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet) in… Read more »
Changemakers Receive Wilderness First Aid Training From Backcountry Pulse
Our high school Changemakers gathered on a unseasonably balmy weekend in January 2024 to receive their Wilderness First Aid and CPR Training from Backcountry Pulse, an amazing Latina owned small business based in Colorado. The Changemakers are developing their leadership and trip leading skills, so it is important for them to have Wilderness First Aid… Read more »
Board Spotlight: Elisha Roberts
We are excited to introduce you to our newest Cottonwood Institute (CI) Board Member, Elisha Roberts, who joined the CI Board in October 2023. Read on to learn more about Elisha! What is your story? Where did you grow up and how did you get to where you are today? I was born and raised… Read more »
Confused About When To Donate At The End Of The Year?
When Is The Best Time To Donate To Cottonwood Institute? With Giving Tuesday, Colorado Give Day, the holidays, and the end of the year, you may be wondering when is the best time to donate? Every organization is different, but for Cottonwood Institute (Cottonwood), it is better to donate between now and December 31st, 2023… Read more »
You Can Help Cottonwood Unlock A $25,000 Match
Have you ever had one of those moments where you want to do something to help a worthy nonprofit in your community, but you don’t know where to start? We feel you. Well, today is your lucky day because 3 generous families have stepped up to offer a $25,000 match to Cottonwood Institute to… Read more »