The Latino Community Foundation of Colorado (LCFC) strengthens Latino communities statewide by building leadership, advancing equity, and promoting long-term prosperity. Through relationship-driven philanthropy and community partnerships, the foundation empowers leaders, organizations, and families to create lasting change that benefits all Coloradans.
Guest: Carlos Martinez, President & CEO, Latino Community Foundation of Colorado
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points
-
The Latino Community Foundation of Colorado serves as a statewide philanthropic hub advancing the visibility, voice, and power of Latino communities.
-
LCFC’s approach is rooted in relationships, not transactions—prioritizing trust and understanding before funding decisions.
-
The organization focuses on capacity building at three levels: community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and local communities.
-
Grants are accompanied by mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance, ensuring long-term impact beyond financial support.
-
LCFC invests in leaders and organizations where they are, helping them grow rather than funding only those already meeting predetermined criteria.
-
The foundation emphasizes community voice and self-determination, encouraging local groups to define their own “theories of change.”
-
Relationships and trust are built through consistent communication and respect for lived experience and cultural competency.
-
LCFC’s “pop-up foundation” model allows it to operate statewide, meeting organizations where they live and work.
-
Beyond grants, the foundation launched a low-interest loan program to help nonprofits rebuild after COVID-19, providing flexible capital for recovery and growth.
-
LCFC promotes multicultural belonging—creating spaces where all communities contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Colorado.
Other Points
Colorado’s Latino community reflects deep historical roots and modern diversity—families whose presence predates the state itself alongside newer arrivals from across Latin America and the Caribbean. LCFC works across this spectrum, supporting unity and shared purpose.
The foundation sees inclusion and belonging as central to prosperity. By engaging all Coloradans in dialogue and partnership, LCFC fosters understanding and collaboration across race, ethnicity, and region.
Its relationship-based approach distinguishes it from traditional philanthropy. Leaders are encouraged to share challenges openly, knowing that LCFC’s role is to help them succeed, not to penalize setbacks.
Through trust, flexibility, and respect, the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado helps build the leadership, capacity, and confidence that will define the state’s future—one where equity and opportunity grow together.