Sterling Community Fund's $3.5M endowment supports permanent Logan County public projects

The Sterling Community Fund (SCF) is an endowed, locally managed fund that currently holds more than $3.5 million and targets permanent, sustainable public projects that benefit Logan County residents. The fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and uses a locally appointed committee to decide which capital projects receive support.

“The Sterling Community Fund (SCF) is an endowed, locally managed fund intended to support permanent, sustainable public projects that benefit all Logan County residents,” the fund’s materials state. A committee of seven community members determines what projects are funded, and grant applications are issued by invitation from that committee. The invitation-only process means the fund generally does not operate like an open grant cycle; public input is welcomed through the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.

SCF has backed visible local investments. The fund “has made grants to projects such as Heritage Park, the city’s hiking trails, and overhead lighting at the Logan County Fairgrounds indoor arena.” Those capital improvements are the type of brick-and-mortar amenities SCF prioritizes, with further examples of proposed projects including a community center, a children’s splash park, expanded hiking and biking trails, green space, and public displays of art.

Officials position SCF as a long-term lever for community development. “Over time, the Fund will have a greater impact as it grows through donations and investment returns,” the foundation’s materials note. The fund can also be used strategically to catalyze other dollars: “Distributions from the fund may also be used as matching funds to encourage private donations to specific projects or leveraged as matching funds for external grants received by the city or county.” That capacity to match donations or grants can increase leverage for municipal or nonprofit capital campaigns.

Local donors and past supporters have framed their gifts as investments in Sterling’s future. “For us, giving to the Sterling Community Fund is an investment in the future of a great community,” wrote donors Larry and Elsie Fetzer in a community piece. The fund also solicits legacy gifts and invites citizens to join a Legacy Society to include SCF in estate plans.

Residents who want to ask questions or donate can contact the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado at (970) 224-3462 or info@nocofoundation.org. John Chapdelaine is listed as director of the Eastern Colorado office and can be reached at (970) 580-1013 or John@NoCoFoundation.org. To donate by mail, send a check payable to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado to 4745 Wheaton Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80525 and include “SCF” in the memo field.

This Sterling Community Fund supports Logan County, Colorado; similarly named funds exist elsewhere and follow different processes. For Logan County residents, SCF’s endowment and matching capacity mean capital projects such as parks, trails, and fairgrounds upgrades can be funded now while the fund grows to support larger amenities over time. Residents and municipal leaders seeking partnership or consideration for future projects should contact the Community Foundation to learn how the invitation process and matching policies could be applied to their proposals.