Legacy Gift Fund

What would I like to do today?

Breaking News:

Scholarship Recipients

Bold.org (External) Scholarship — Kendra Coe, Hastings, MI is a rising sophomore at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) majoring in Paper Engineering and Chemical Engineering. She’s an accomplished equestrian and state barrel racing champ. Kendra has an interest in creating more products out of paper and to increase the recyclability of the paper industry. She states that the paper industry is very involved in clean energy and the mindset of sustainability, by prioritizing carbon neutrality. She’s currently working as an Engineering Intern for Paperworks.

Kendra writes, “Thank you so much for choosing me for this award. I feel honored to have your support! I am excited to use this award to help pay for my college. This will help me achieve my goals, and have an impact on our climate and environment. I cannot express how thankful I am to be awarded this scholarship. Thank you!”

LGF (Internal) Scholarship — Nick Katko, West Linn, OR will be a freshman at the Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO) in the fall where he plans to major in Nuclear Engineering. Nick is an Eagle Scout and a student athlete involved in rowing and swimming. Nick’s goal is to earn a PhD after he completes his undergraduate degree at Mines with an interest in contributing to the development of fusion technology. He’s currently working with a professor at the University of Pittsburgh in research on extravasation frequency and outcomes in targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies (allowing therapies for prostate cancer to remain accessible).

Nick writes, “I am honored to receive this scholarship and excited to continue working hard to make the most of this opportunity.”

Two New 2025 CHAA Legacy Gift Fund Pay-it-Forward Grants Awarded!

Alachua Habitat for Humanity Awarded A $2,500 Legacy Gift Fund Grant for Its Alachua Women Build House No. 19

Alachua Women Build (AWB) was founded in the mid 1990’s and is an all-volunteer program of Alachua Habitat for Humanity (AHfH), a Gainesville, Florida based affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Its mission is to provide solid affordable housing while empowering women to learn new skills, build confidence and self-reliance, and work together to improve our community.

Affordable housing for families is not readily available in this area where families with children compete with University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College students for places to live. Alachua County has a low median household income level and ranks near the bottom of the Florida’s counties in housing affordability. AWB House #19 will be built in partnership with a hard-working single mother who has four children and who does not qualify for a traditional mortgage. AHfH’s “a hand up, not a hand out” model of homeownership provides a solution. One of the qualifications for Habitat homeownership, in addition to meeting financial requirements, is for the future homeowner to provide “sweat equity”. She must work 50 hours on an AHfH build site, then 200 on her own house. AWB House #19’s homeowner will work alongside a group of volunteers, usually 20 on each build day. 

https://alachuahabitat.org/volunteer/women-build

CHAA Sponsor, Jill Carter (Volunteer, Women Build Construction Site Coordinator): 

“I am so happy and thankful to be awarded this grant. In the beginning I didn’t consider applying for this grant because I thought this project would be considered too small. I was thinking more about “saving the world” type projects. But then I thought about the Habitat vision, “a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to live”. It might not be a big project, but it will make the world a better place to live. I encourage others to apply for this grant no matter what the size of the project. If you don’t have a project, please consider supporting this grant with a donation so everyone can work towards making this a better world.”

Jessica Kellar, (Marketing & Events Specialist, Alachua Habitat for Humanity): 

“Alachua Women Build lifts up both families and future builders. This Legacy Gift Fund Pay-it-Forward Grant helps us turn an empty lot into a safe, affordable home while giving women hands-on experience and mentorship on site. We are grateful for this support, and I encourage others to apply for LGF funding or make a gift so more families can build their future.”

Music Therapy Retreats Awarded A $637 Legacy Gift Fund Grant

Music Therapy Retreats is a 501c3 non-profit formed in 2019 that provides evidence-based music therapy practices to support veterans and other people who experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is an approved provider of continuing education for music therapists through the Certification Board of Music Therapists.  Its mission is to help heal those who have experienced trauma. Three-day music therapy retreats, at no cost to the participants, so they can gain mental wellness through the power of music. The retreat approach helps people identify triggers, learn coping skills for self-regulation, and reframe lived experiences. 

Music Therapy Retreats utilizes music therapy “best practices,” including goal setting, mindfulness, songwriting experiences with professional songwriters, and adapted guitar instruction. 

Each participant engages in four group sessions and two individual sessions over the course of the retreat. As part of the Retreat experience, each veteran receives a brand-new Breedlove Guitar which they use to work on physiological and psychological skills through playing and writing their own music. Retreats for veterans are currently held in 6 states throughout the year. (NC, CO, TN, MO, MA, GA).

https://musictherapyretreats.org/

CHAA Sponsor, Andrew McKnight (Volunteer, Staff Songwriter): I’m thrilled to reconnect my time with CH2M HILL in my early days with my life in music for these last 30 years. I’ve always felt that music is so much more than we can describe with words; soundtrack to moments in our lives, ways to communicate our feelings, and as I’ve learned especially in these past six years working with MTR and our wounded warriors, as a modality for healing. When we bring a veteran’s story to life in song, we help more than just the vet – we help their inner circle of family and friends understand them too, and the healing has amazing ripple effects through those circles. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do this work, and hugely grateful for the LGF support to help us directly, and by helping to spread the word about what MTR is doing.

Mack Bailey, (Executive Director, Music Therapy Retreats): It is an honor for Music Therapy Retreats to be a recipient of the LGF Project Grant. Through your support, MTR will be adding more guitar instructional videos by Andrew McKnight to help support our alumni and keep them engaged with the instrument. Veterans emerge from MTR’s embrace with new labels: “forever changed,” “honored,” and “liberated.” Their guitars become a reminder of the retreat experience and a constant coping companion. One veteran said, “I needed this guitar more than I needed another prescription.” We look forward to sharing stories and songs with you.

Previous 2025 Legacy Gift Fund Grant Awardee 

SPIRIT Open Equestrian a $1,863 CHAA Legacy Gift Fund Pay-it-Forward Grant for Its Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs

SPIRIT, Herndon, VA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 18 years of experience, is a dedicated equine-assisted services organization offering recreational and therapeutic programs for children and adults of all abilities. Our diverse range of programs includes Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy, Equine-Assisted Learning, a specialized Veterans program, and customized workshops designed to meet the unique needs of each group. Through these initiatives, we strive to create inclusive and transformative experiences that foster growth, healing, and connection. The LGF Grant of $1,863 will be used to enhance its Equine-Assisted Therapy program by purchasing specialty adaptive equipment to facilitate therapeutic program activities.

Michelle Gnozzio, Executive Director: 

https://spiritequestrian.org

CHAA Sponsor, Doug Gaibler (Volunteer, Board of Director Member, and Parent of Participant): “As you know, I’m proud to be a member of both CHAA and SPIRIT Open Equestrian, and I’m excited to learn that SPIRIT has been awarded a CHAA grant. As a board member and a parent of one of SPIRIT’s participants, I’ve seen firsthand how this program changes lives. This grant moves us forward in big ways, especially when it comes to improved safety, accessibility, and inclusion values that shape everything we do.

It’s also a reminder of what makes CHAA such a great organization. The support behind this grant is generous, heartfelt, and deeply effective. CHAA reflects the character and legacy of CH2M Hill, whose work over the years has contributed so much to our communities and our environment. I’m honored to be part of a group that shows up with purpose and keeps making a lasting difference.”

More Grants Will be Awarded in 2026!

Watch for Announcement

The CHAA Legacy Gift Fund, Inc.

Over the course of the last two years, the CH2M HILL Alumni Association’s Future Focus Task Force investigated many ways to extend the legacy of CH2M HILL far into the future. With full Board approval, the CHAA Legacy Gift Fund has been created, and will be administered by a new non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity company – CH2M HILL Alumni Association Legacy Gift Fund, Inc. (LGFI) – with a mission is to support the education and actions of future generations of engineers and other professional and technical practitioners.

Introducing The CHAA Legacy Gift Fund, Inc.

Through a strategic partnership with the CH2M HILL Alumni Association, Inc. (CHAA) based on their shared mission to sustain the legacy of CH2M HILL, the LGFI was created as a means for enhancing the awareness and understanding of CHAA, expanding and sustaining the membership of CHAA, and extending and sustaining the legacy of CH2M HILL and its people. CHAA has granted permission for LGFI to use the CHAA website for aligned purposes, publish material in the CHAA Newsletter, and have access to CHAA members and CH2M HILL alumni using means maintained by CHAA.

The Mission

Encourage post high school education and support projects that provide environmental and community benefits in keeping with CH2M HILL’s desire to ”Build a Better World”. Our goal is to provide 1-2 scholarships per year and to support one service project championed by a CHAA member, as funds allow.

Joining Forces For Success

The success of the Legacy Gift Fund, and its associated scholarships and grants, relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations who share LGFI’s passion for extending CH2M HILL’s legacy through the next generation of professional practitioners and local service projects. Donations received through 2024, including commitments from members of the CHAA Board of Directors, solicitation at reunion events, and the generosity of a few major donors were held by CHAA. The 2024 goal of $15,000 was reached and then exceeded by a generous donation late in the year – total 2024 donations exceeded $25,000!

Plans For 2025 and Giving Results to Date

The initial donations to CHAA have been transferred to the new Legacy Gift Fund, Inc, organization. LGFI will administer these funds and new donations, including reporting and fundraising, and award scholarships and project grants going forward.

In 2025, LGFI has processes underway to award two $5,000 educational scholarships and to provide grants totaling $5,000 in support of several “Pay-it-Forward” projects. Fundraising activities in 2025 will be focused on achieving a base donation goal of $15,000. 

Matching Donation Opportunity: A CH2M colleague has offered to match all 2025 base donations to LGFI, up to a generous cap. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to double your donation and help sustain the LGF program in future years – if possible, make donations prior to 10 December so the match can be applied. If you would like to set up a matching donation (annual or set time period donation challenge-i.e. match the first $xxx of donations made in July 2025), please contact the LGFI Treasurer – Email Link.

Project Grant Applications Are Now Being Accepted!

Applications for the second round of grants will be accepted from August through September and will be awarded October 31. The total funding for the second round will be $2,500 plus any funds not awarded in the first round. To be eligible to recommend a grant, the Applicant must be a member of (or join) the CH2M HILL Alumni Association. To learn more about these PIF Project Grants and to obtain an application, please click these links: Project Grant Announcement Info and Project Grant Application. If you have questions about the project grant program, please contact the grants program lead – Email Link.

Scholarship Applications 2025 Application Period Closed!

Our first annual scholarship application process closed on May 15, 2025. The process was a great success yielding 10 applicants for the CHAA member sponsored scholarship and 1,154 applications for our LGFI sponsored Bold.org scholarship (Bold has made the initial review and provided 10 applications for our review and selection). We expect to announce the 2025 LGF Scholarship recipients in late June – each to receive $5,000 for their designated academic pursuits.

The next application process will begin in January 2026 and details will be provided in late 2025. We once again expect to have one CHAA member sponsored scholarship and one LGFI Bold.org scholarship; each for $5,000.

Moving Forward – Communications and Fundraising

LGFI is now a separate non-profit company with a Board of Directors, the majority of which are current CHAA Board members, who will administer programs based on its Operations Plan and Bylaws. LGFI will work with the new CHAA Communications Committee to consistently keep the Legacy Gift Fund program in front of potential donors and to solicit donations that keep the LGF program alive year-to-year, with the goal of building a principal fund balance that allows for awards well into the future.

How You Can Engage – Please Consider a Donation

All who share the Little Yellow Book values of our exceptional former firm are encouraged to support LGFI. With your donations, our CH2M HILL legacy of engineering excellence and community betterment will live far into the future. Please consider donating using one of the following;

1. 1. Use this link to donate $10 or more, in an amount of your choosing.  You can use the link multiple times – whenever you wish to donate. LEGACY FUND SINGLE DONATION LINK
   2. Use this link to set up a recurring MONTHLY donation.  The amount can be from $1 to $99 per month based on the “Quantity” selected. – the minimum recommendation is a Quantity of “5” which yields a donation of $5 per month.  If you want to increase (or decrease) the monthly amount, look for the in the lower left of the payment form that pops up when using the link and click the “v” down arrow and choose a “Quantity” from 1-99 to set the desired MONTHLY donation dollar amount. The transaction will be processed near the beginning of each month until cancelled. If you want a different amount later, you will need to cancel (contact the Treasurer) and then use the link to establish a new recurring monthly donation. LEGACY FUND RECURRING MONTHLY DONATION LINK
   3. Mail a check made out to CH2M HILL Alumni Association Legacy Gift Fund, c/o Scott Trusler, 1003 Rangeview Dr., Black Hawk, CO 80422.
   4. Donating via your individual charitable gift account (Such as Fidelity Charitable) and denoting our federal charity EIN number 33-2448017.
   5. Making a tax-free qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA account and denoting our federal charity EIN 33-2448017.

Our LGFI treasurer will gladly help if you have questions – Email Link.