Rooted in Strength
A $1 Million Community Resiliency Campaign
Sustaining what we've built. Growing what comes next
When someone reaches out for help
In the middle of the night.
After an assault.
When a child discloses abuse.
When a young person is searching for safety.
They are not thinking about funding timelines.
They are thinking:
Will someone be there for me?
For over four decades, Better Tomorrow has answered that question with a definitive "YES!"
What This Looks Like
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Crisis Response
We respond to crises with immediate, real-time support when it matters most
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Prevention
We prevent harm through education, awareness, and early intervention
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Ongoing Support
We walk alongside survivors, children, youth, and families as they heal and rebuild.
Today, our work faces a new kind of challenge.
Shifts in federal funding policy have introduced instability into systems that were once reliable.
Our resiliency is being tested.
The Rooted in Strength Resiliency Campaign is a strategic, values-driven response to this moment.
It is designed to protect mission delivery today while positioning Better Tomorrow for long-term stability and success into the future.
Why Now
A significant portion of Better Tomorrow’s direct service work has historically been supported through federal funding streams connected to domestic violence prevention, victim advocacy, and child protection.
Over the past year, rapid federal policy shifts, rule changes, legal challenges, and reimbursement delays have created real instability within those systems. Even when funding is not eliminated outright, disruptions in timing can strain organizations like ours.
All of our contracted federal grants are reimbursable. This means we must first pay staff and operate programs before receiving payment from the government. When reimbursements are delayed or conditions shift unexpectedly, the financial risk falls on the organization and ultimately impacts the people who rely on us.
We cannot allow instability in Washington to determine access to care in the Yampa Valley.
We are launching this $1 million campaign to ensure that Better Tomorrow remains strong, stable, and ready no matter what happens beyond the Yampa Valley.
Where Your Support Goes
$750,000 → Build operating reserves
These reserves are not excess funds.
$250,000 → Strengthen working capital
These funds ensure our prevention education, child advocacy, survivor support, and LGBTQ+ youth services remain uninterrupted and responsive.
WHAT RESERVES MAKES POSSIBLE
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Mission-Driven Decisions
We make thoughtful decisions guided by mission, not reactive cuts.
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Uninterrupted Support
Advocates remain available to answer calls when people need help
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Protecting Expertise
We retain skilled staff and preserve hard-earned knowledge.
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Operational Stability
We maintain payroll and core operations during federal delays
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Financial Strength
We reduce reliance on credit and avoid unnecessary interest and fees
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL
Every gift helps ensure our programs remain stable, responsive, and here when our community needs them most.
NEXT MILESTONE: $500,000
Frequently Asked Questions
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Recent changes in federal reimbursement practices have delayed when we receive funding from government grants that support our programs. These grants still fund critical services, but we are now required to pay expenses upfront and wait longer to be reimbursed. At times, Better Tomorrow must carry $100,000 or more in reimbursable grant expenses while waiting for those funds to be returned. The Rooted in Strength Resiliency Campaign ensures we can manage these delays without risking services for survivors, children, or youth in our community.
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Better Tomorrow remains committed to providing essential services to our community. However, without additional financial resilience, prolonged reimbursement delays could eventually place pressure on operating reserves and organizational stability. This campaign allows us to act proactively rather than reactively, ensuring that services remain uninterrupted and staff can focus on supporting clients rather than managing financial uncertainty
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While lines of credit can sometimes provide short-term flexibility, they come with interest costs and long-term financial obligations. Our goal is to strengthen our financial foundation, not take on additional debt that diverts resources away from services and into bank fees. Community investment allows us to maintain stability while keeping resources directed toward the people who need them most.
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Funds raised through the campaign will strengthen Better Tomorrow’s financial resilience in two key ways: $750,000 – Direct Services for Assisting Clients This funding will protect staff positions and ensure services remain stable even when funding is delayed. $250,000 - Strengthen Organizational Liquidity This provides the working capital needed to manage reimbursement delays without disrupting programs. Together, these funds help ensure that essential services remain available to our community
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Donors who wish to support a specific program within Better Tomorrow may still do so. However, the Rooted in Strength campaign focuses on strengthening the organization’s overall stability, which ultimately protects every program we operate. Many donors choose to support the campaign directly because it ensures all services remain strong. If you would like to discuss other designation options, we are happy to have that conversation!
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Better Tomorrow is supported through a combination of: • Government grants • Private foundations • Individual donors • Corporate and community partnerships In 2025, government grants accounted for over 42% of our budget. However, many of these grants operate on a reimbursement model, meaning funds are received after expenses are incurred. Community support plays an essential role in ensuring stability and flexibility.
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In 2025, Better Tomorrow served over 1,300 individuals and families across Northwest Colorado through our four direst services programs including:
24/7 survivor advocacy and crisis response (Advocates of Routt County)
Coordinated child abuse response through the Brighter World Child Advocacy Center
Prevention education in local schools (COMMA Projects)
Affirming support services for LGBTQ+ youth through Queer Futures Our work ensures that vulnerable members of our community have access to support, safety, and healing.
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Yes. Better Tomorrow is committed to transparency and accountability. Financial information, including annual reports and IRS Form 990 filings, are available on our website as well as through public nonprofit databases including ProPublica and Candid. If you would like additional information about our finances or operations, we are happy to provide it.
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The Rooted in Strength campaign runs through December 31, 2026.
However, our immediate priority is to raise 50% of the campaign goal by July 1, allowing us to continue funding direct services and strengthen financial stability as quickly as possible.
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You can support the Rooted in Strength Resiliency Campaign by making a gift, sharing the campaign with others, or connecting us with individuals who care about strengthening services in our community.
Every investment helps ensure that when someone in our community asks for help, someone will be there.
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Government funding structures evolve regularly, and recent changes to reimbursement timing have created longer delays between when services are delivered and when funds are received.
Like many nonprofits that rely on government funding, Better Tomorrow has historically maintained reserves to manage routine reimbursement cycles. However, the scale and timing of recent delays have increased the amount of funding we must carry while waiting for reimbursement.
The Rooted in Strength campaign is a proactive step to ensure our financial structure remains strong as these systems continue to shift.
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No. Better Tomorrow is financially stable and continues to deliver all programs and services without interruption.
The Rooted in Strength campaign is designed to strengthen resilience, not respond to a crisis. By rebuilding reserves and improving liquidity now, we ensure the organization can continue operating with stability even when external funding systems change.
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Government grants do fund a significant portion of our work. However, many of these grants operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning organizations must first pay expenses, including staff salaries and program costs, and then request repayment.
This structure places the responsibility for managing cash flow on the nonprofit organization.
Community support helps ensure that delays in reimbursement never affect the availability of services.
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Healthy reserves are a hallmark of a well-managed nonprofit. Operating reserves allow organizations to:
Manage funding delays
Respond to unexpected needs
Protect staff positions
Maintain uninterrupted services
Strong reserves ensure that organizations can remain stable even when external conditions change.
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Better Tomorrow is committed to responsible stewardship and financial transparency. We maintain strong financial oversight through:
Independent audits
Board governance and financial review
Publicly available financial filings
Clear reporting on program outcomes and impact
Donor support is carefully managed to ensure that every contribution strengthens services for our community.
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Most annual fundraising supports program operations for the current year.
The Rooted in Strength campaign focuses on long-term financial resilience, ensuring that our services remain stable even when external funding structures shift.
It is an investment in the future strength of the organization and the community we serve.
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The campaign will allow Better Tomorrow to:
Maintain uninterrupted services for survivors, children, and youth
Protect staff and program stability
Manage reimbursement delays without financial strain
Continue growing services to meet community needs
Most importantly, it ensures that the people who rely on our services will always have access to support when they need it.