A Shining Light in our Community

Lifelong community leader and generous philanthropist, Herbert Lee Bacon (who was known by all as simply Herb) passed away in early January. Herb was one of a handful of community leaders who began conversations with Tim Schultz and the Boettcher Foundation in the mid 1990s about starting a Community Foundation “on this side of the Divide.” The vision was to build a home-grown charitable foundation for western Colorado – our own foundation – directed by local leaders and providing funding to local nonprofits who historically had to look to Denver and the Front Range foundations for grant support. Herb and his private family foundation were staunch supporters of our Community Foundation from the beginning. They helped launch a nonprofit training and support program (NSTAR) for our 10th anniversary. They provided generous funding for our 20th Anniversary Impact Fund several years ago. And they have funded a number of programs and project requests over the years related to our leadership work. Herb served on our Community Foundation board for six years and also got his daughter, Linda Bacon Reid, involved with the organization.

While the Bacon family, through the Bacon Family Foundation, has been tremendously generous for decades in funding many worthwhile nonprofit programs and capital campaigns in our community, Herb’s generosity goes way beyond financial support. Herb was always a hands on philanthropist – serving on countless committees, heading up capital campaigns (always successful, because who could say “no” to Herb Bacon) and at the front of the line in terms of reflecting on community needs and solutions. One of the characteristics that distinguishes a community foundation from a private foundation is that a community foundation involves many different people, from all walks of life, and has enormous opportunity to grow in assets and impact because everyone in the community can participate. Herb was always very interested in the success of this type of organization. Our staff and board honor the memory of this special community leader and founder. Rest in peace, Herb Bacon.

Read the Daily Sentinel tribute here.

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