Weld foundation changes, shortens name

GREELEY — The Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County has changed its name to Weld Community Foundation.

The foundation announced the name change Monday. 

“The former name was helpful when the Greeley Area Foundation and the separate Weld County Community Foundation merged in 1997. But after more than 20 years, it became clear that the long name could be, and should be, shortened,” Junior Barrios, foundation board chairman, said when explaining the change.

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He said the name was selected through feedback from supporters and community members. “The new name doesn’t come as a big surprise to most, but it certainly saves a lot of syllables, and accurately describes that we still serve all communities of Weld County,” he said. 

“We’re still the same community foundation. The foundation will continue to serve our communities with the same level of integrity and support as Weld County residents have come to expect,” said Rand E. Morgan, foundation president. 

The foundation dates to 1972, when the Greeley Area Foundation got its start. In the mid 1990s, it applied for and obtained its 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service. Two years later, it merged with the Weld County Community Foundation. Since 1997, the foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grants, scholarships, and charitable programs, and at the end of 2018 holds more than $25 million in total assets.