We all know how treasured the summer months are here in Wyoming (even when all the roads are torn up with construction). And foundation staff have already packed A LOT into the first month of summer! The Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) is dedicated to building a better Wyoming, and we can’t do that without showing up across the state. Here are just a few of the events we have attended in the past month!
June 1: Spirit of the Meadowlark
Over in Big Piney, WYCF staff joined community members and friends along with the WYCF Sublette Area Local Board for the annual Spirit of the Meadowlark award. This year’s recipient was Mark Mickelson. Mickelson’s career in finance and banking and personal generosity have helped nonprofits and the broad range of people they assist. The award was created by the Sublette Area Local Board to recognize individuals like Mark who give back and care about their community.
June 6 & 7: WYCF Board Meeting
Buffalo was busy! Nearly the whole staff packed up for a packed schedule in Buffalo. The main event was meeting with statewide board members for the quarterly Board Meeting, where grant decisions were made. Nearly $1 million dollars was awarded to nonprofits across Wyoming. You can read more about the recent grant awards here.
Staff were able to attend a Power Advocates Meet–Up with WYCF’s priority fund, the Wyoming Women’s Foundation. Staff also visited the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, who recently created an Agency Endowed Fund at WYCF. Board members from the Sheridan/Johnson Local Board, area grantees, and partners also attended a board reception in Buffalo.
June 6 & 7: WNN Leadership Summit
At the same time as the board meeting, the Wyoming Nonprofit Network’s Leadership Summit took place in Laramie. As a sponsor, WYCF hosted an informational table as well as attended keynotes and workshops. Staff had a fantastic time connecting with and learning alongside nonprofits from around Wyoming.
June 10: Little House Opening
WYCF staff were honored to be invited to the opening day of Curt Gowdy State Park’s new Little House on the Park. Little House is a new initiative spearheaded by Cheryl Gowdy to embrace, teach and inspire the importance of kindness to children between the ages of 3 to 12 years old. WYCF holds the Curt Gowdy State Park Family Fund, which supports the long-term vitality of Curt Gowdy State Park. Grants from the fund helped support the completion of the Little House. It was a beautiful event filled with care and kindness, and we can’t wait to see more from Little House!
June 13 – 15: Becoming Jackson Whole
Samin Dadelahi & Rebekah Hazelton made their way up to Jackson Hole to represent WYCF as a sponsor for the Becoming Jackson Whole’s 2023 Summit: Giving Rise to a Mindful Community. The summit was a great opportunity to connect with dedicated people across Wyoming seeking to make mindfulness second nature in our communities.
June 15: Mini Golf for Micro-Enterprises
Back in Laramie, staff attended the Wyoming Women’s Business Center’s (WWBC) Mini Golf for Micro-Enterprises Fundraiser. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans and forced a move to an all-inside event. Still, the event was a huge success and we enjoyed talking with employees, partners, and the women entrepreneurs supported by the WWBC! Watch the video they premiered here.
June 20: WYWF Power Advocate Meet-Up
The Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF) hosted a Power Advocate Meet-Up in Rock Springs this month. Staff were joined by board members from the WYCF Rock Springs Local Board and the WYWF Advisory Board, plus community members dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in Rock Springs & beyond. Click here to learn more and become a Power Advocate.
June 23: WYAA Advisory Board Meeting
The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance (WYAA), a priority fund of WYCF, met in Douglas for an Advisory Board meeting. After the productive meeting, the Boys & Girls Club of Douglas invited WYAA for a tour of their facilities. The B&G Club of Douglas also boasts an outdoor learning area, including a garden that helps young people practice hands-on STEM activities!
What does it look like to have a statewide presence in the 10th largest state? Just like this: packing as many events, meetings, conferences, and meet-ups into the summer months while the roads are open and clear. WYCF Staff members travel all over Wyoming when we can to meet with board members, grantees, fund holders, donors, and community members. Connecting with you and seeing the impact YOU’VE made in your community is important to us. Because of YOUR support, we are able to engage and uplift your communities. We can’t wait to see where the next few months take us.
To notify us about an event in your community e-mail wcf@wycf.org.