Northern Colorado residents are known for many things — being outdoorsy, laid-back and loving craft beer. But they are also known for being incredibly generous and kind, lending out a helping hand without hesitation whenever someone is in need.
As a result, Loveland is home to many nonprofit organizations and charities with missions focused on serving and supporting the underserved and vulnerable in our communities. If you’re looking for ways to give back (especially in the wake of such a challenging year), look no further than these philanthropic organizations in Loveland. There are many ways to give back, whether you’d like to contribute money, resources or your time.
Help us support these incredible local nonprofits, focused on supporting those experiencing hunger or homelessness, pets in need, those with disabilities, and others facing unbelievable challenges. Together, we can help make a difference in Loveland — and beyond!
COVID NOTE: Due to the pandemic, check with each organization in relation to their COVID policies before volunteering. Some organizations have paused in-person involvement, including volunteer opportunities, until further notice.
Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center provides a variety of equine-assisted therapeutic and educational programs to promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being of people with special needs.
Ways to Support Hearts & Horses: Volunteer to be a part of the barn team, or to help with horse leading, side walking or horse handling. Or donate money to support their efforts (you can endorse a horse, provide a rider scholarship or give monthly!).
International Medical Relief is a local organization with a global mindset. They provide access to sustainable community and public health education and medical services to underserved and vulnerable communities across the globe that will improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those populations most in need.
Ways to Support International Medical Relief: One of the best ways to support International Medical Relief is through a monetary donation, either on a one-time or monthly basis. You may also volunteer in a variety of ways, both here in Loveland or on a medical mission trip abroad.
Larimer Humane Society is an independent nonprofit working to further the compassionate, safe, and responsible relationship between animals and people. They do this by providing care and shelter for homeless, lost, abused, unwanted and abandoned pets, and promoting responsible pet ownership and humane education.
Ways to Support Larimer Humane Society: There are several ways to help the animals at Larimer Humane Society, including donating a wish list item, giving financially, sponsoring an event, or adopting a pet. You may also volunteer in a variety of different ways!
Since 1996, Loveland Youth Gardeners has been focused on empowering youth facing challenges to cultivate life and work skills, environmental stewardship and community service. They provide programs for ages 3-21, which help build healthy relationships with people, agriculture and community. They also sponsor Loveland Plant a Row for the Hungry, which provides fresh produce for our neighbors.
Ways to Support Loveland Youth Gardeners: Loveland Youth Gardeners has a variety of volunteer opportunities, whether you’d like to work directly with youth or help with site projects. You may also donate monetarily or with an in-kind donation of a wish list item.
The Food Bank for Larimer County “ensures that those in our community who are hungry have convenient access to free, healthy and nutritious food.” They’re feeding the hungry in Northern Colorado through three distinct programs: Nourishing Network, Fresh Food Share, and Nutritious Kitchen.
Ways to Support Food Bank for Larimer County: There are many different ways to help the food bank, including volunteering, hosting a virtual food drive, getting involved with Plant It Forward, and more. When in doubt, your financial support goes a long way in feeding those in need, as 94% of all donated resources directly support their hunger relief programs.
With branches all throughout the country, Meals on Wheels delivers meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals, many of whom are elderly individuals. Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud (MOWLB) was named “Nonprofit of the Year” by the Loveland Reporter-Herald in 2018.
Ways to Support Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud: Volunteer to pack or deliver meals to home-bound individuals throughout southern Larimer County. Or you may make a donation to support the life-changing work MOWLB is doing.
For 60 years, House of Neighborly Service has been assisting and advocating for those challenged by the effects of poverty or situational crisis. They provide resources, guidance, and most importantly, hope, through the basic necessities of food, clothing, utility assistance, and more, for at-risk families, children, youth and seniors throughout Loveland and Berthoud.
Ways to Support House of Neighborly Service: You can support their programs through contributing a financial donation, volunteering your time, donating food or clothing, hosting a drive, and more.
Alternatives to Violence is working toward a safe community free from violence of all kinds. Since 1982, they have provided shelter, advocacy, education and resources for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, to help them heal both emotionally and physically in a supportive environment.
Ways to Support Alternatives to Violence: There are three ways to support ATV: by donating, volunteering, or becoming an ATV ambassador.
At their core, Habitat for Humanity believes “that every man, woman and child should have a decent and affordable place to live in dignity and safety.” All across the country, they seek to remedy the lack of affordable housing by providing families with a “hand–up” (as opposed to a handout), to own their home and pay an affordable mortgage.
Ways to Support Loveland Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity operates a ReStore in Loveland, which sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. All sales proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope right here in Loveland. You may donate items to or volunteer at ReStore. Otherwise, you may volunteer with or donate to Habitat for Humanity or get involved in other ways to support their efforts.
Loveland’s Community Kitchen believes that all should have access to food — and we do, too. This incredible organization provides those experiencing hunger — no requirements necessary — with a hot meal and a sustainable food bag. In addition to nourishing people’s bodies, they also nourish people’s souls with community and conversation.
Ways to Support Loveland’s Community Kitchen: Your involvement with Loveland’s Community Kitchen makes a difference — whether it’s through making a donation, shopping for a cause, volunteering your time, or hosting a fundraiser or a food drive.
Formerly known as Rocky Mountain Medical Outfitting and Recycling (RMMOR), Good Health Will is a nonprofit that accepts donations of durable medical equipment and healthcare supplies, and provides low-cost purchase options of those items to the public. Everyone is welcome to shop at their Greeley and Loveland stores, without a referral or application.
Ways to Support Good Health Will: You may help stock their stores by donating medical equipment and healthcare supplies. Click here to see the full list of needed supplies.
The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center provides crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling for those affected by sexual violence in Northern Colorado, while also providing prevention programs through community outreach and education.
Ways to Support SAVA: There are many ways to support SAVA, including monetary donation, donating your Colorado State Tax Refund, purchasing items off their Amazon Wishlist, or volunteering.
The High Plains Environmental Center is an urban environmental park open to the public on 76 acres of land in Loveland’s Centerra community. The center works to educate communities to become replicable “living laboratories” which demonstrate restorative examples of land stewardship, native plants and wildlife habitat. They achieve this through educational events and programs, their Native Plant Nursery, and other environmental efforts.
Ways to Support High Plains Environmental Center: You may either give a monetary donation or volunteer at High Plains Environmental Center.
The McKee Wellness Foundation is focused on enabling physical and mental wellness across Northern Colorado by helping fill the gap between available resources and the needs of the community. They achieve this through supporting wellness programs, hosting fundraising events for local projects and programs, and pursuing projects related to wellness in the community. This looks like helping a single mom prepare healthy meals for her children or helping an elderly widow get out for lunch and a friendly conversation.
Ways to Support McKee Wellness Foundation: The best way to support the foundation is by offering financial support.
Disabled Resource Services is a nonprofit agency focused on assisting people of any age and any disability, whether it be physical, visual, auditory, cognitive or mental/emotional. Through their Access to Independence program, the DRS staff works to alleviate the stressful conditions in which these individuals live. All services are provided free of charge, with the exception of their low-cost “Loan Closet” durable medical equipment rental program.
Ways to Support Disabled Resource Services: There are many ways to get involved with DRS, including monetary donations, donating goods and services, and volunteering your time and talent.
Project Self-Sufficiency is all about “selfpower” — the power and confidence that comes from deep within the human spirit. The organization helps cultivate the grit and determination necessary for a lifetime of achievements for single parents and their children. They help break down barriers such as affordable housing, mental health services, access to quality childcare, reliable transportation, and more.
Ways to Support Project Self-Sufficiency of Loveland-Fort Collins: You can give a one-time or recurring monthly donation to support their efforts. You can also volunteer your time as a member of The Friends Group, by becoming a tutor, or by serving on a specific committee.
Since 1989, Thompson Education Foundation has been focused on student success, providing exceptional educational opportunities for students and teachers in Thompson School District. The nonprofit organization supports more than 60 programs, activities and scholarships in partnership with the district, serving students throughout Loveland, Berthoud, south Fort Collins, and surrounding communities.
Ways to Support Thompson Education Foundation: TEF relies on donations and volunteers from the community to help their students and educators thrive.
What Else?
We’ve just skimmed the surface on the many incredible nonprofits and charities in our midst. What local Loveland organization are you passionate about? Tell us all about them in the comments below!
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