Press Room

Bohemian Foundation's Communications Department is ready to assist members of the media, as well as grantees interested in publicizing their awards.

Students Award More Than $100,000 to Local Nonprofits Through Give Next Program

FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 9, 2021 – Students from 20 middle and high schools in Poudre and Thompson School Districts participating in the Give Next youth philanthropy program capped off the school year by awarding $105,204 to 36 Larimer County nonprofits.

Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. While schools transitioned to online learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, participating classes continued efforts to learn about and raise money for Larimer County nonprofits.

Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. Despite a year of continued challenges and disruptions brought about by COVID-19, participating classes carried out the program while shuffling through a mixture of remote, hybrid and in-person learning.

“We celebrate the students and teachers who demonstrated their commitment to our community by adapting Give Next to their virtual, remote learning realities,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs director. “They found new, creative ways to connect with nonprofits during a challenging time and supported many organizations at the center of our community’s COVID-19 response.”

Through the program, local businesses, foundations and individuals become classroom donors by providing each participating school with $5,000 to award to Larimer County nonprofits. Many of the students from participating schools also complete their own fundraisers to add to the $5,000 grant amount provided by donors. This year, students raised $5,204 to accompany the $100,000 provided by donors. Throughout the year, students design and manage their own grantmaking programs. Students work together to identify community needs, choose a focus area, create their own mission statement, research nonprofits, volunteer, conduct site visits, review grant applications and make funding decisions. At the end of the school year, students award grants to selected nonprofits. Through the process, Give Next enables students to experience the power of teamwork and the impact they can have on their community.

Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than half a million dollars has been awarded to Larimer County nonprofits—$595,000 of which was provided by classroom donors and nearly $85,000 of which was raised by Give Next students. Every donor dollar goes directly to student grantmaking.

For more information about becoming a Give Next classroom donor or about participating in the program, contact Jodie Riesenberger at 970-221-2636 or .

Click here to view the full list of 2020-2021 Give Next grant recipients.

About Bohemian Foundation

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation supports local, national and global efforts to build strong communities.

Bohemian Foundation provides management support for Give Next.

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Bohemian Foundation Announces New Grant Program

FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 2, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced the creation of the Bohemian Fund, a responsive grantmaking program which combines and expands upon two of Bohemian Foundation’s established funds, Pharos Fund and Muse. Bohemian Foundation’s Music and Community programs have teamed up to create the new fund.

For more information about the Bohemian Fund, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/bohemian-fund.

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Bohemian Foundation Awards More Than Half-Million Dollars to Local Organizations

FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 19, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded more than $560,000 to 31 local organizations working to encourage and enable youth to thrive, empower individuals and families on the path toward economic stability, and strengthen our vibrant community. Bohemian Foundation awards Pharos Fund grants twice every year. Since its inception in 2001, Bohemian Foundation has awarded $21 million dollars in Pharos Fund grants to a variety of organizations serving the Fort Collins area.

“We’re pleased to support organizations making an impact in our community,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs Director. “These Pharos Fund recipients demonstrate understanding of the community need and produce measurable outcomes through their work.”

Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking program of Bohemian Foundation that makes awards up to $30,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government units. A committee comprised of Bohemian Foundation board members and community reviewers selects grantees through a competitive application process.

Click here to view the full list of Spring 2021 Pharos Fund recipients.

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Bohemian Foundation Seeks Muse Grant Applicants

FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 7, 2020 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that applications are being accepted for the spring 2021 Muse grant round. Muse is a responsive, competitive grant program offered by Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs.

Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.

Muse and Bohemian Foundation’s other responsive grantmaking programs continue to operate along scheduled timelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation will look for grant applications that meet Muse goals and guidelines. In addition, the Muse grant application asks organizations to describe their contingency plans if they request support for in-person gatherings that may not be possible due to COVID-19.

Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on April 28.

For more information or to apply for a grant, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/music-programs/muse.

About Bohemian Foundation

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Bohemian Foundation Awards $96,000 for Music-Related Activities and Organizations

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 22, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded $96,000 to nine organizations working locally to strengthen community through music.

Muse provides grants to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align with at least one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live contemporary music.

Click here to view the full list of Fall 2020 Muse recipients.

Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for Muse grants again in spring 2021. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grant making programs and special initiatives.

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Bohemian Foundation Awards More Than Half-Million Dollars to Local Organizations

FORT COLLINS, Colo., December 7, 2020 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded more than $570,000 to 41 local organizations working to encourage and enable youth to thrive, empower individuals and families on the path toward economic stability, and strengthen our vibrant community. Bohemian Foundation awards Pharos Fund grants twice every year. Since its inception in 2001, Bohemian Foundation has awarded $20-million dollars in Pharos Fund grants to a variety of organizations serving the Fort Collins area.

“Our community has evolving needs,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs Director. “The organizations and programs funded through Pharos Fund are using data to implement creative responses to changes in our community.”

Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking program of Bohemian Foundation that makes awards up to $30,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government units. A committee comprised of Bohemian Foundation board members and community reviewers selects grantees through a competitive application process.

Click here to view the full list of Fall 2020 Pharos Fund recipients.

Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for the next Pharos Fund round on Dec. 15, 2020. The foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2021. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Sonic Spotlight Announces 2020 Lineup

FORT COLLINS, Colo., October 15, 2020 – Sonic Spotlight, a new northern Colorado music showcase and competition, has announced the lineup for its inaugural run this fall. The lineup features eight solo artists and bands representing genres including indie, electronic, alternative, folk and pop.

Below is the 2020 Sonic Spotlight lineup featuring talent selected from a field of more than 50 submissions.

Hotel WiFi, Windsor, Colorado (alternative, lo-fi)
Describing their style as “genre-queer,” Hotel WiFi pulls influence from all sides of the musical spectrum to create beautiful and meaningful songs inspired by artists including Nick Drake, Modern Baseball, Xiu Xiu and Owl City.

Julia Kirkwood, Windsor, Colorado (singer-songwriter)
Bubbly and infectious but grounded in soulful understanding and bold self-revelation, 14-year-old singer-songwriter Julia Kirkwood’s music merges pop with hints of folk, rock and electronica.

Lasaylo, Greeley, Colorado (electronic, future bass)
A junior at UNC, Lasaylo, aka Bennett Mueller, started producing about a year ago and continues to explore the realms of mystical music and experimental electronic music.

Macy Warner, Fort Collins, Colorado (singer-songwriter)
Macy Warner’s writing is brutally vulnerable, and when combined with her sultry voice and depth of her Baritone Ukulele, she crafts a mesmerizing song.

Miranda Fling, Fort Collins, Colorado (indie pop, folk)
Inspired by sometimes unwanted feelings, innermost desires and the little moments of her life, Miranda Fling’s introspective indie pop explores the complexities of emotions and love.

Noah Orlowski, Berthoud, Colorado (indie)
Inspired by the music of artists including Elliott Smith and Tom Waits, Orlowski writes songs about loneliness, rejection, death and depression while playing homemade instruments into a second-hand podcast microphone.

People in General, Fort Collins, Colorado (pop, jazz)
This Fort Collins trio fuses elements of math-rock, bedroom pop, jazz and funk to deliver fun and high energy performances weaving complex sonic textures into their compositions.

TX2, Fort Collins, Colorado (punk, hip-hop)
Best known for his fast chopper flow and punk rock style, Evan Thomas, aka TX2, aims to bring true punk rock attitude into the hip-hop scene.

These eight acts will work with industry experts and creative peers to prepare for two rounds of competition. The first showcase will feature all eight participants and will air live at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 on the radio at 105.5 The Colorado Sound, and will be streamed online at coloradosound.org and kcsufm.com. The second round of competition will feature three finalists who will debut music videos as part of an online showcase on Dec. 10 on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/1055TheColoradoSound.

A panel of experienced industry professionals will weigh in to determine which artists advance and, ultimately, who is crowned winner of Sonic Spotlight 2020. The radio and online showcases are free and open to all music fans. For more information visit sonicspotlight.org.

About Sonic Spotlight

Sonic Spotlight is designed as an annual showcase for the region’s up-and-coming musicians, and is supported by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 105.5 The Colorado Sound and Bohemian Foundation. The program provides emerging artists ages 22-and-under from Larimer and Weld counties with an opportunity to work with industry experts, connect with creative peers, receive radio airplay, create professional music videos, win prizes and level up their music.

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Bohemian Foundation Seeks Muse Grant Applicants

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Oct. 7, 2020 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that applications are being accepted for the fall 2020 Muse grant round. Muse is a responsive, competitive grant program offered by Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs.

Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.

Muse and Bohemian Foundation’s other responsive grantmaking programs continue to operate along scheduled timelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation will look for grant applications that meet Muse goals and guidelines. In addition, the Muse grant application asks organizations to describe their contingency plans if they request support for in-person gatherings that may not be possible due to COVID-19.

Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28.

For more information or to apply for a grant, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/music-programs/muse.

About Bohemian Foundation

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Emerging Northern Colorado Musicians Called to Apply

FORT COLLINS, Colo., September 1, 2020 – A new music showcase and competition, Sonic Spotlight, is now accepting applications from Northern Colorado musicians ages 22-and-under. The program supports the regional all ages music community and provides semifinalists and finalists with professional development and mentorship from industry professionals.

Sonic Spotlight invites musicians that play any genre of original music to apply. Selected artists and bands will have opportunities to work with industry experts, connect with creative peers, receive radio airplay, create professional music videos, win prizes and level up their music. The application is free and available along with complete program information at sonicspotlight.org through the Sept. 30 application deadline. Musicians ages 22-and-under from Larimer and Weld counties are eligible to apply. Sonic Spotlight is designed as an annual showcase for the region’s up-and-coming musicians, and is supported by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 105.5 The Colorado Sound and Bohemian Foundation.

A panel of music industry veterans will determine which artists advance, and ultimately which finalist is named winner of Sonic Spotlight 2020. The program will include sessions with industry experts to prepare participants for two rounds of competition. The first round will culminate in a radio-ready song showcase Nov. 19 on 105.5 The Colorado Sound. The second round will culminate in a music video showcase Dec. 10 on Facebook Live. All Sonic Spotlight showcases, mentorship sessions and artist opportunities during the eight-week program will be held virtually.

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Bohemian Foundation Seeks Grant Applicants

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 6, 2020 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that Pharos Fund is now accepting applications for the fall 2020 grant round. Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking initiative of Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs. Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Pharos Fund and Bohemian Foundation’s other responsive grantmaking programs continue to operate along scheduled timelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization or a governmental unit serving a charitable purpose. Private foundations, type III non-functionally-integrated supporting organizations, and programs and projects under fiscal sponsorship are ineligible to apply to Pharos Fund. Applicants may apply for the following types of support: program support, general operating support or project support.

Applicants do not need to be headquartered in Fort Collins to receive funding. However, applicants must serve clients within the Poudre School District boundary or have a direct impact on individuals in the grantmaking area. To apply for a grant, visit bohemianfoundation.org/pharos-apply.

Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 10. Pharos Fund grant applications are considered twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Applicants may request any funding amount up to $30,000 per application. For more information about Pharos Fund grants, visit bohemianfoundation.org, call 970-221-2636 or email .

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