$7,090 raised by 32 donors
20% complete
$35,000 Goal
FRIENDSgiving + Colorado Gives Day: Double (or Triple!) Your Impact
This Colorado Gives Day, celebrate FRIENDSgiving by supporting FRIENDS, where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities discover possibilities, gain independence, and build meaningful connections.
Our Mission: Dedicated to enhancing communities by creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through an innovative, person-centered approach.
Our Vision: We ensure our Friends have a voice in the community, access to supports that promote independence and choice, and opportunities to connect socially. For families, we provide guidance and support. For the broader community, we foster inclusion, understanding, and acceptance.
A Little About Us: Founded in 1998 as a grassroots parent network, FRIENDS (Fun, Recreation, Inclusive Experiences, Networking, Discovering the Spirit) has grown to provide day programs, independent living supports, social events, and employment opportunities. To date, we’ve served over 450 individuals and continue expanding programs that empower our Friends to thrive in the community.
This season, your generosity goes even further:
🎁 The Spallone Family is matching the first $5,000 donated*
💚 Colorado Gives Foundation will match the first month’s gift of every new monthly donor, up to $100, until their $250,000 matching fund runs out!
That means if you give early, your gift will be matched at least once — and if you become a monthly donor, your impact could be matched not once, but twice, tripling the difference you make!
🥧 Why Pie It Forward?
When you sign up to become a monthly donor, you’ll also get to select a willing FRIENDS staff member or community supporter to receive a pie to the face — delivered with love (and laughter) by one of our Friends!
It’s our way of celebrating generosity with joy. Each pie is a reminder that giving back should be fun, inclusive, and full of heart. Because at FRIENDS, every act of kindness creates ripples of connection and laughter across our community.
💛 $10/month – Opens the door for a Friend to join a monthly activity that supports wellness, growth, and independence.
💛 $25/month – Covers essential materials that help our Friends learn and grow.
💛 $50/month – Provides social opportunities that foster friendship and connection.
💛 $100/month – Provides transportation for Friends to connect with their community.
Why Give This Season?
"FRIENDS is an awesome place to come to. The activities are fantastic and we get to choose them. I feel like everyone has super powers. I like to be different and I love that we have a wonderful place to come to."
- Day Program participant
"I am incredibly thankful for FRIENDS. I have peace of mind knowing the programs are staffed and supervised with caring people. I love that activities are modified and that M has fun. Thank you for the scholarships too, especially for those with limited family funds. You make sure he participates."
- Host Home Provider for program participant.
"I like FRIENDS for all things. FRIENDS is my life and my heart and my world. I like dance and sing."
- Program Participant
"I like FRIENDS because everybody is good to me."
- Program Participant
"I don't know what our family would do without FRIENDS. It's the only time I get to have some "off" time without feeling guilty because I know they are active, learning and happy."
- Parent of program participant
"The partnership between FRIENDS and Broomfield High School is so important. I am proud to tell families about the opportunities that will follow as their students become adults. It's a glimmer of hope."
- Teacher at BHS
"Dedicated to enhancing communities by creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through an innovative and person centered approach"
VISION
For individuals with developmental disabilities, we will insure they have a voice in the community, and access to person centered supports that promote independence and choice.
For our families, we will serve as a support and informational network, and work cooperatively to ensure lifelong supports for their loved ones.
For our community, we will promote acceptance and understanding through education, and enhance our community through opportunities for inclusive living.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Broomfield, Inc. began in 1998 as a grass-roots parent network, which wanted to better the lives of their children with developmental disabilities. The name of the organization was chosen because it reflected the values of the organization. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is an acronym for Fun, Recreation, Inclusive Experiences, Networking and Discovering the Spirit. The initial goal of the organization was to develop recreational opportunities in the Broomfield area for adults with developmental disabilities. This was achieved by establishing a Broomfield Special Olympic program in the fall of 1998, and in 2000, a Therapeutic Recreation program that offered activities through the city's recreation department.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. became a recognized 5-1(c)(3) charitable organization in 2002 with the mission to "Enrich the lives of our F.R.I.E.N.D.S. with developmental disabilities and their families by creating opportunities for participation in every aspect of community life.". October, 2005, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. officially began with F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Unlimited program, a community access/day program serving 6 adults. In addition to the day program, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Night Out, a twice monthly evening social event, was initiated. In May 2008, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. established F.R.I.E.N.D.S. On My Own, an interactive independent apartment living program, and in 2010 expanded services to include comprehensive residential supports through various models within the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Independent Living Program. In 2015 F.R.I.E.N.D.S. established its first Supported Employment program assisting participants with skills assessments, interviewing, job development and one on one job coaching and support. To date F.R.I.E.N.D.S. has successfully employed over 40 individuals in meaningful and gainful jobs in the community. Most recently, in 2018, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. acquired another non-profit organization providing extended travel, further expanding the popular Social program offerings.
Since its inception, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. has served over 450 individuals across all its programs; each providing opportunities for participants to create new or enhance existing life skills, making their life as fulfilling as possible, while also developing a social network of peers and natural community supports.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Broomfield, Inc. continues to contribute to the greater community through involvement with City Council and the establishment of a new county and a single community centered board agency for Broomfield, local high school transitions, local churches, civic projects (sensory parks, affordable housing and emergency response efforts) as well as volunteerism. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. receives continuous support from the City and County of Broomfield, the Broomfield Community Foundation, the Broomfield Rotary Clubs, the Nativity Knights of Columbus, various businesses, and generous donors throughout the community. With this support and state funding, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Broomfield is able to continue to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and create more opportunities for participation and contribution to the greater community.
Organization name
FRIENDS of Broomfield, Inc
other names
Fun Recreation Inclusive Experience Networking Discovering the Spirit
1998
Tax id (EIN)
84-1516104
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
11851 Saulsbury StBroomfield County, CO, US