Jeffco Outdoors Foundation

At their January 8, 2013 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Jeffco Open Space Foundation voted to change the name of the Foundation to the Jeffco Outdoors Foundation and to revise its objectives.

The Open Space Foundation was organized strictly for charitable and educational purposes as a 501(c)3 Private Foundation. The specific purposes for which the Foundation was organized were to receive, solicit, administer and disburse gifts, grants, devises, bequests or other conveyances of real and personal property or the income derived therefrom for the benefit of the Jefferson County Open Space Department upon a request from the director of the Jefferson County Open Space Department.

Being a Private Foundation has put limitations on being able to solicit grants and contributions and, in many cases, employer matches cannot go to a Private Foundation.

The Jeffco Outdoors Foundation will be a 501(c)3 public charity which will support public and nonprofit organizations that preserve parks, open space and remarkable places, and provide quality outdoor recreation opportunities and educational programs that foster conservation and health. As such, Jeffco Outdoors will help fund innovative programs that get children and families connected with nature and the outdoors. The Jeffco Outdoors website will provide information on parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, educational programs and the health benefits associated with getting outdoors. Jeffco Outdoors will publish regional maps showcasing public parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, regional trail connections and fun points of interest along the way for eight regions of Jefferson County. Jeffco Outdoors will continue to accept contributions of land, property, and funds for acquisition of open space park land in Jefferson County.

Note that use of Jeffco Outdoors funds will not limited to Jefferson County but will be used metro-wide, upon approval of the Board of Directors. Once legal incorporation of Jeffco Outdoors is complete, the present Board of Directors will be expanded and will include members from throughout the Metro area.

Learn more about the Jeffco Outdoors Foundation at www.jeffcooutdoors.org