According to a worldwide survey titled the “Global Trends in Giving Report,” 42% of respondents said that limited financial resources prevent them from giving to charity. Guys Who Give (GWG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Justin Livingston of Louisville, Colorado, aims to help overcome this challenge at the local level. By pooling resources, GWG reduces the financial burden on each individual. Then, by focusing each impact event on a single recipient, voted on by members, the concentrated effort helps raise awareness and funding for local, lesser-known charities.
The goal of each quarterly Guys Who Give event is to raise over $10,000 in an hour. The Broomfield Chapter is growing but falling short of that goal.
GWG Broomfield was started by Jeff Gazaway and Arik Brum several years ago and has grown to a consistent membership of 30-40 members on average. However, the time has never been better to make this group what it was always meant to be—100+ guys donating $100 each to show fellow community members that they are NOT ALONE.
The impact they are having is real! Here’s just one example: thanks to an anonymous matching donor, Daniel the Lion Fund became a recipient of one of the largest donations ever in 2023!
“This changes the whole year for us!” exclaimed Daniel Jaramillo, founder of Daniel the Lion Fund, after he learned they would receive a much larger donation than expected. “How did you guys do that?!” he said, fighting back tears. “Are you pranking me?!”
For this special feature, a handful of GWG members share their stories about why they are proud to be involved in this special organization and the impact they are having on Broomfield. Read on to learn more!
Justin Livingston - Guys Who Give Founder. Owner of Franchise Transformations and Multi-Unit Franchisee of Ziggi's Coffee.
What inspired you to start Guys Who Give?
Many years ago, I met some women who gathered once a quarter, and each gave $100 to a local charity. I loved the idea and wanted to create a similar organization where men could meet to pool resources and have a huge impact. We created an opportunity for guys to help local charities and foster an environment where like-minded men could gather with a common mission. It’s humbling to sit here today with 21 chapters of Guys Who Give and Gals Who Give and many more on the horizon.
Describe a favorite moment from GWG.
One time, we surprised a recipient in a meeting. The founder of the nonprofit was chatting with us as he was going through the mail and realized that he had received an unsolicited $100 donation. He stopped our meeting to call their bookkeeper to excitedly tell them how the donation would help “keep the lights on.” In listening to his conversation, knowing I had about 100 checks just like that in my back pocket, the moment catapulted into something life-changing. As we presented the donation and told him why we were there, tears filled our eyes knowing that what had just happened would empower them to do incredible things. It's those moments that truly make this worth it.
Arik Brum - Guys Who Give Broomfield Chapter Co-Founder. IT Applications Manager at Denver Health.
How did you hear about Guys Who Give?
I first heard about Guys Who Give through friends connected to the original Boulder chapter. My wife and I attended and heard from the previous recipient who spoke directly about how many young lives were saved through the group’s donation. Seeing each member fighting back tears, I asked myself, “Why don’t we have this in Broomfield?” My wife has been my best friend and biggest supporter—her strong desire to find ways to give back convinced me this opportunity was simply too good to pass up. So, I reached out to Justin to start a chapter here in Broomfield, unaware Jeff Gazaway had done the same. Jeff, Justin, and I connected one afternoon at Wonderland Brewing Co. knowing we wanted it to be our “home.” Within just a few months, we hosted our very first event!
What do you love most about the meetings?
Seeing everyone come together, share stories, and collectively decide where our donations will make the most impact is inspiring. Knowing others truly believe in our group and its mission is beyond rewarding.
You’re inviting a friend to visit a GWG meeting. What are you saying?
As coined by Broomfield Lifestyle’s very own Justin Schierkolk, I really enjoy calling it “the most impactful happy hour in town.” In just four hours a year, we can do so much to help nonprofits already doing great things in our community to keep on doing those things.
Robert Lucero - Guys Who Give Broomfield Chapter Member. Owner, Wonderland Brewing Co.
You’re inviting a friend to visit a GWG meeting. What are you saying?
I tell them how I got involved, how frequently we meet, and how much it costs each member. I invite them to join us for a beer and check it out. Somehow, if I’m buying the beer, they come for sure!
What’s one thing you want everyone to know about GWG?
There are many ways to give back and support charities, but this one is special with a great group of guys who have fun meetings and make a difference locally.
What else would you like to share?
From the beginning, our goal at Wonderland was to bring the community together in a family/dog-friendly environment with a unique craft beer experience. With GWG right here in Broomfield, you can make a difference, meet some great people, and enjoy four meetings a year with this group. As busy professionals, many of us don’t have much spare time. In just one hour, this group makes a huge impact!
Sam Taylor - Guys Who Give Broomfield Chapter Member. CLIMBER Program Director with the Colorado Treasury.
What’s one thing you want everyone to know about GWG?
That it’s only four times a year, which isn’t a burden for most people. Also, you can give to all three of the names that are drawn out of the box, not just the one voted on.
How has being involved impacted your life or career?
It definitely makes me feel good to see the difference we can make by helping a nonprofit meet its mission.
What is it about GWG that you find the most meaningful?
I think it’s meaningful and important that we talk about various local nonprofits and raise awareness for them, even if they are not selected by the group that quarter.
Thank you for participating in this interview! Any final thoughts?
Thanks for highlighting one of the best organizations in Broomfield! This group has no goals other than to support the nonprofit community of Broomfield.
Jeff Gazaway - Guys Who Give Broomfield Chapter Co-Founder. Broker at RE/MAX Alliance.
How has being involved impacted your life or career?
It’s rewarding to me that a bunch of guys can get together over a beer, and at the end of an hour, give a local nonprofit thousands of dollars in direct donations. Inviting the recipients back for the next meeting so we can hear about the impact of our donation helps complete the story. Sometimes our donations can be a significant portion of the operating budget for the year, and that feels pretty amazing to me.
Describe a favorite moment from GWG
The presentations are what I enjoy the most. At every meeting, anyone can nominate a nonprofit serving Broomfield County. Three nonprofits are drawn, and the nominators share with the group why their nonprofit should be the recipient. Most of the time, the nominator has a direct personal relationship with the nonprofit, and as they share their experience, it often fills the room with emotion. Once the presentations are complete, the entire group votes, and a single recipient is selected.
What do you hope to accomplish by sharing your story through Broomfield Lifestyle?
Growing the Guys Who Give membership ultimately means giving larger donations to Broomfield’s nonprofits. If you’re reading this, please know that all guys are invited to join us at our next meeting on August 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Wonderland Brewery.
Justin Schierkolk - Guys Who Give Broomfield Chapter Member. Publisher of Broomfield Lifestyle.
How did you hear about Guys Who Give?
My friend Michael Plaia invited me to attend. He shared a great story about how he nominated and won the quarterly donation at the very first meeting he attended.
What is it about GWG that you find the most meaningful?
I love the recipient presentations! Hearing about the direct impact of our donation and the people we help and serve is very meaningful and fulfilling.
Describe a favorite moment from GWG.
The check presentation to Daniel and Jax Jaramillo was one I’ll never forget. They had no idea that the GWG donation received an anonymous donor match, totaling over $10,000. Daniel almost fell over. “How did you guys do that?!” He exclaimed as he started tearing up. “Are you pranking me?!”
What’s one thing you want everyone to know about GWG?
The one thing everyone should know is that ANYONE can do this. Imagine a 100X match to your donation to a cause you believe in. Your effort, your heart, is multiplied 100X. Let’s do this!