By Rachel Bull
Imagine a world where students aren’t just learning, but actively building a better future, fueled by the mission of your program. This isn’t a pipe dream; it’s the reality fostered by a powerful partnership between OtterCares, a beacon of community philanthropy, and MindSpark Learning, your expert in delivering impact.
A School Reimagined
Beginning with a dream to create a school based on community and philanthropy, this story takes place at Bamford Elementary School in Northern Colorado. Principle Alissa Poduska and her assistant principal, Tressa Evans, envisioned a school where empathy, innovation and sustainable action were core values. Principal Poduska said, "It’s our obligation to teach kids to think outside of themselves and teach them that they can change the world.”
Experts in child development emphasize that philanthropy and its characteristics are learned skills and crucial developmental milestones for young minds. According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, teaching young children about philanthropy actually supports research and innovation, can reduce poverty rates, and help build sustainable communities.
Principal Poduska understood this and wanted to nurture these skills early on, fostering responsible citizens for the future. However, they lacked the tools, resources, and ability to make this happen.
Enter the Power of Partnership
This is where OtterCares and MindSpark emerged, offering support and solutions to bridge the gap and make this dream a reality. OtterCares Foundation, a Northern Colorado non-profit with a mission to create lasting community change, is the philanthropic arm of the company, OtterBox (you know, those basically indestructible phone cases?). The OtterCares Foundation has two main focuses: entrepreneurship and philanthropic education. Among their initiatives is Project Heart, a program designed to help students, classrooms, and communities recognize their potential for positive impact.
Driven by their mission to nurture entrepreneurship and philanthropic education, OtterCares set out to implement their Project Heart initiative. They recognized Bamford Elementary as a perfect fit for the program's goals.
However, they realized this vision required additional support. This is where MindSpark, a non-profit specializing in bringing organizations' missions come to life, stepped in. Our role was to provide a strategic framework and future-ready capabilities that would implement the full potential of Project Heart.
A powerful partnership was formed. OtterCares provided the vision and resources, while MindSpark served as the implementor, transforming the vision into reality at Bamford Elementary.
Planting the Seeds of Change
Philanthropic mindsets flourish in classrooms where educators are equipped with the tools, resources and embrace these values.
Recognizing this, Ottercares and MindSpark first focused on teacher empowerment. Facilitated by the MindSpark team, 25 Bamford educators acquired the skills to connect with community partners, market a cause, and implement Project Heart school-wide.
95% of these participants agreed that this learning experience gave them the ability to help others outside of education learn about these impactful topics.
The Power of MindSpark’s Experiential Contributions
Bamford participants who agreed or strongly agreed with the following metrics showed profound growth in all four impactful areas as a result of their experience with MindSpark, dramatically increasing percentages from to 19 to 62 points.
Guided by MindSpark's expertise and empowered by Project Heart, the educators uncovered a critical reality: families within the Bamford school and community were struggling to meet basic needs. A 2020 census shows the Fort Collins-Loveland community has a population of 76,378, with 5.7% (approximately 4,354 individuals) living below the poverty line.
The teachers then worked closely with students to help them understand this challenge in their own community, inspiring them to work towards a local, tangible, meaningful solution.
Creating a Lasting Impact
The student’s philanthropic efforts began to take a tangible form – the creation of a food pantry for the community called Pack Pantry. This student-led community resource set the tone for the school, highlighting the importance of leaving systems better than they were found.
“It taught me how to not only think about myself but think about how I can help others,” shared a student, reflecting on the project’s impact. Three years later, the Pack Pantry remains a beacon of community support. Students have gone above and beyond, securing grants to ensure the pantry is consistently stocked, with the potential to help more than 225 families with food needs.
The students' philanthropic mindsets didn't stop with the creation of the Pack Pantry. The project ignited a spark within them, a ripple effect of compassion that extended beyond the school walls and has led to numerous additional philanthropic projects.
These young minds now see themselves as active agents of change, empowered to make a real difference in their community. This newfound philanthropic mindset is a gift that will stay with them long after they graduate, shaping them into responsible citizens and passionate changemakers for years to come.
Turning Values into Sustainable Initiatives
Critical to the OtterCares, MindSpark, and Bamford Elementary partnership and collaboration was identifying true community needs, aligning educational values (in this case the teaching of philanthropy) with community-led initiatives like the Pack Pantry.
When partners collaborate to fill gaps, play their respective roles, and truly listen to a community, only then can we build sustainable solutions, organizations, and projects that not only create impact but can stand the test of time.
Philanthropic Impact
Using the district’s 30% report of students on free and reduced lunch, Bamford’s Pack Pantry has the potential to help 225 families with food needs.
Workforce Impact
Economic Impact
Community Impact
Let’s Make Your Mission Come to Life
MindSpark has the heart of a non-profit and the DNA of a startup. In our intermediary position, we upskill and support education and surrounding communities through a learning journey that is both inspiring and effective.
We are your strategic partner, making your impact goals a reality. Imagine students actively contributing to their communities, equipped with the skills and confidence to become the next generation of changemakers. That's the impact we deliver. We offer a proven framework, expert facilitation, and a dynamic learning continuum, ensuring your vision translates into a lasting and positive force for good.
Let MindSpark make it easy for you to achieve tangible results, measure your results, maximize your ROI, and create a lasting impact. Set up a time to speak with one of our experts: