UNC Foundation Earns BBB Accreditation Through 2027

The University of Northern Colorado Foundation earned accreditation from the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, meeting all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability through July 2027. It signals trust for current and prospective donors in Weld County and beyond.

The foundation provisionally passed Standards 9 and 13 because of how fundraising is split between the university and foundation. According to the Give.org profile, "This organization acts as a support entity for the University of Northern Colorado. The University is responsible for all the fundraising activities and fundraising expenses. The Foundation only accepts the donations and manages the funds."

The foundation manages nearly $100 million in endowed and current-use assets, distributing more than $6.7 million annually across 600 scholarship funds and 425 endowed funds.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance evaluates charities on 20 standards covering governance, finances, and transparency. According to the UNC News release, "BBB accreditation affirms the foundation's dedication to transparency, ethical practices and the responsible management of donor contributions — building public trust, strengthening governance and inspiring continued support."

The standards mandate specific financial benchmarks—program spending ratios, fundraising expense limits, and reserve policies—reflecting donor demands for accountability.

For details, visit the foundation's financial pages at unco.edu/foundation or call 970-351-2034.