Giving Network
The Giving Network engages philanthropists in the Aspen, CO, region about pressing community issues and needs through collaborative learning. By pooling funds and resources, we make impactful grants to regional nonprofits who serve to catalyze change.
High-Impact Philanthropy
We are a group of committed philanthropists in the Aspen region who are interested in making a difference by supporting the work of nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)) serving our community from Aspen to Parachute, CO.
Giving Network members meet several times a year to learn from experts and practitioners who are dedicated to finding solutions for the region’s most pressing issues and needs. Members listen, review data, discuss the challenges and seek to identify promising solutions through peer conversations and collaborative learning.
Founded in 2016 and hosted by the Aspen Community Foundation with the generous support of Laura and Gary Lauder, the Giving Network provides a unique opportunity for philanthropists to pool funds and allocate large grants that have meaningful impact (around $500,000 annually.)
Since our inception over $2,500,000 in Giving Network investments have advanced youth outcomes in kindergarten readiness, youth social and emotional wellbeing, and post-high school success, among other areas of regional nonprofit support.
Giving Network Grants
We are an independent group of philanthropists, who lean on the expertise of the Aspen Community Foundation for administrative support during gatherings. Our grant process is exclusively run by, scored and voted on by Giving Network members.
Applications for 2024 Giving Network grants closed February 14, 2024, and will be awarded in August, 2024. Applications for 2025 Giving Network Grants are expected to open the first week of January, 2025
Organizational Criteria
In 2024, the Giving Network was looking for organizations that serve our region and can demonstrate a need for funding of a program or service that supports any pressing community issue or need, especially expansions, enhancements or new services to better support our community. We want to see you take your organization to the next level of sustainable operations. How can we help fund this next step for you?
For information on the current 2024 grant cycle, please look at a breakdown of our granting timeline.
2024 Grantees
The Giving Network has awarded $575,250 to 15 local nonprofits that are filling gaps and needs in the Roaring Fork community. Giving Network funds will be distributed to the following nonprofits:
- Harvest for Hunger
- Alpine Legal Services
- English In Action
- Stepping Stones
- Raising A Reader
- RESPONSE
- Challenge Aspen
- FocusedKids
- CASA of the Ninth
- Valley Settlement
- Aspen Valley Land Trust
- Aspen Youth Center
- Pathfinders
- The Meeting Place
- Early Learning Center of Aspen
Join the Giving Network
Contact Ramona Bruland, the Giving Network Chair at ramona@giving-network.org or call Ramona at c.970-497-6775. Giving Network membership starts at $5,000 annually, with opportunities to give more.
Resources
2024 Giving Network Members
Pam Alexander
Kalah Espinoza and David Agger
Abby and Steve Anderson
Jill and Paul Aschkenasy
Sonya Auvray
Tasia Bade
Seth and Cori Berger
Meredith Berman
Jody and Jeffrey Black
Elizabeth Bohart
Michael and Courtney Brown
Neal and Robin Buchalter
Diana Bulman
Lauren Rosen and David Chazen
John Cresap
Susan Crown and William Kunkler
Megan DiSabatino
Tony DiLucia
Heather and Todd duBoef
Gail and Alfred Engelberg
Laurel Gilbert and Bruce Etkin
Jaimie and David Field
Andrew and Kristen Firman
Carla and George Frampton
Anna and Matt Freedman
Barbara and Karl Friedman
Dale Genet
Rachel and Ephraim Gildor
Barbara Gold
Ramona Bruland and Michael Goldberg
Andi and Jim Gordon
Lisie and Michael Gottdenker
Jane and Allen Grossman
Jerry and Glenda Greenwald
Bobbi Hapgood
Amanda and Brett Hirsh
Laura and Mike Kaplan
Jeffrey and Robin Kaplan
Christine Karnes
Diana Duffey and Vince Lahey
Laura and Gary Lauder
Melony and Adam Lewis
Susan and Fred Lodge
Katherine Lorenz
Morgan Fixel and Duncan Mendelson
Jay Hughes and Jackie Merrill
Martha and Adam Metz
Sissy and Brent Miller
Marcie and Robert Musser
Esther and Craig Navias
Jim Gilchrist and Lynn Nicols
Wally and Helen Obermeyer
Laurie Crown and Rick Ortega
Casey and Michael Patak
Laura and Michael Paulus
Bob Bridger and Julia Pirrung
Sarah Broughton and John Rowland
Stephen Sander
Kirsten and Chad Schmit
Rick and Zibby Schwartz
Marina and Oliver Sharpe
Lesley and Tommy Slatkin
Katya and Zach Sternberg
Elisha and Jeffrey Zander