A Kindness-Focused Fort Collins
Be Kind FoCo started as a community project based on the belief that philanthropy begins with kindness. In 2026, Be Kind FoCo joined Howdy Neighbor Events, the nonprofit behind FoCo Comic Con, Founded in FoCo, FoCo Book Fest, and BrainChange.
Be Kind FoCo’s core tenants are built directly into every Howdy Neighbor Events program from volunteer training to how we show up in the community all year round. We root our programs in the belief that kindness is the starting point to make our community a better place.
We believe kindness begins locally and is highly contagious. Want to join us in this important work?
Inspire community philanthropy by celebrating, learning, and connecting through kindness.
Our vision is that the entire Fort Collins community—from school children to businesses to local leadership—embraces and recognizes kindness as a core value and a priority in an effort to build a kinder, more connected community.
Be Kind FoCo’s kindness-first philosophy is now woven into Howdy Neighbor Events’ volunteer training, meaning every person who staffs FoCo Comic Con, Founded in FoCo, FoCo Book Fest, or BrainChange starts from the same belief Be Kind FoCo was built on: that kindness is contagious, and it starts locally.
Since Be Kind FoCo’s inception in 2018, thousands of Fort Collins neighbors have taken part in a Kindness Expo, a Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, or a Kindness Week proclamation. That legacy now reaches further through every volunteer trained across Howdy Neighbor Events’ full slate of community events.
Be Kind FoCo began as a project of Leadership Fort Collins seeking to introduce families to the philanthropic programs taking place in our community.
Built by Volunteers, Carried Forward by Volunteers
Be Kind FoCo exists because a small group of Fort Collins volunteers believed kindness could be organized, taught, and scaled. Thank you to Carley, Laruen, Amy, Huston, Joe, Trae, Ann, Colan, Jennifer, Brian, and Ali, as well as every ambassador and volunteer who staffed a Kindness Expo booth, delivered a You Matter Bag, organized a Random Act of Kindness, or spread the word about kindness in Fort Collins from 2018 onward.
From youth philanthropy research, we knew that the younger we begin to teach children that giving back is a core value of our families and communities, the more likely they are to grow up to become philanthropists, volunteers, and contributors themselves. And that makes a stronger community for everyone.
Let’s make kindness our kinda thing.
Learn how you can join in and make a difference.
Returning in 2027
Be Kind FoCo celebrated the idea of kindness during the annual Kindness Fest in Old Town Square.
While we took a pause in 2026 to reorganize, you can look forward to the return of the Kindness Fest in 2027 featuring a kindness walk with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, grassroots kindness projects, first responders with their vehicles in tow, kid philanthropists, music, games, kindness activities, supply drives, prizes, swag, and ways to get to know our community through kindness.
We hope to see you there!