Investment is often talked about in terms of numbers. Dollars invested. Returns measured. Growth tracked over time. But in Weld County, some of the most meaningful investments have never been financial at all. They have been personal. They have been made by families, neighbors, and community leaders who show up day after day with the belief that this place can be better for those who come next.
Latinos have always been part of that story.
Across Northern Colorado, Latino families have invested deeply in Weld County through their work, their businesses, their culture, and their leadership. They have built companies, raised families, mentored young people, and helped shape the rhythm of daily life. Those contributions are woven into the fabric of the region, even when they are not always named in conversations about long-term influence or leadership.
The Latinos Investing in the Future Together (LIFT) Fund exists to change that.
Established as a Field of Interest Fund at the Weld Community Foundation, LIFT was created to make Latino investment visible and intentional while building on a legacy that has existed for generations. Rather than positioning Latinos as recipients of change, the fund centers them as leaders of it, supporting Latino-led decision-making and long-term community vision.
LIFT focuses its grantmaking on three interconnected priorities: youth success, economic mobility, and community innovation. These are not abstract goals. They reflect lived experience and a deep understanding of what strengthens families and neighborhoods over time. Through mini-grants to local nonprofits, the fund is designed to support organizations already doing meaningful work while helping them leverage additional opportunities and create lasting impact.
The response to the fund has been immediate. A soft launch on social media generated strong engagement, and early contributions followed quickly. That enthusiasm reflects more than interest in a new fund. It reflects pride in seeing Latino leadership recognized and trusted in a tangible way.
For founding committee member Dr. Brenda Campos-Spitze, that pride is rooted in a long tradition of generosity that has always existed within the Latino community, even if it has not always fit traditional models of philanthropy. “Generosity is part of Latino culture,” she says. “Our community is known for selling tamales to fundraise and always offering guests a meal at the table, even if it means going hungry themselves. While giving has come in different shapes and forms, I love the idea of empowering our comunidad to give through a philanthropic fund that both supports nonprofits and highlights our community’s generosity.”
Grounded in Latino-led vision, the LIFT Fund reflects something bigger than any single initiative. When Latinos are empowered to invest in their community, Weld County grows stronger. New ideas take root. Opportunity expands. Leadership becomes more representative of the people who live here and care deeply about this place. This is not about filling a gap or making a statement. It is about recognition, momentum, and belief. Belief in Latino families, Latino leadership, and Latino vision. Because when more voices are trusted to shape what comes next, the future becomes richer for everyone.