HISTORY

Realities for Children was incorporated in 1995 and has been funding the unmet needs of abused and neglected children in Larimer County since 1996.  In 2011 the reach of our organization was extended into Weld County.  Currently serving 18 different local youth agencies and representing over 150 businesses invested in making a difference,  Realities For Children serves local children in Northern Colorado who have been abused or neglected through our FOUR CORE SERVICES.

Previously, all financial assistance offered to local children's charities had come from grants, fundraisers and donations. Realities For Children is exceptional in that it generates funding from advertising and promotional dollars. Local businesses support the youth we serve by paying a monthly membership fee, income that allows us to underwrite all of the administrative expenses of the charity side of our organization.  This means that 100% of any donation made to Realities For Children is directly distributed to the youth that we serve, without us having to take a single penny out to cover our costs.  Realities For Children then promotes and advertises these businesses, thus encouraging consumers to shop and work with businesses that are truly making it their business to make a difference.  The Business Members of Realities For Children, Inc. underwrite all program expenses and ensure that all donor dollars directly serve youth in need.  Although Realities For Children, Inc. is a Colorado non-profit corporation, it is not an IRC section 501c3 organization. Therefore, membership fees cannot be claimed as charitable donations. They are generally considered a deductible advertising business expense. However, with the development of Realities For Children Charities, a 501(c)3 partner to RFC, all donations and monetary gifts made by members of the community are tax deductible and 100% serves abused, neglected and at-risk children.

Realities For Children has received several honors throughout the years. Most recently, Realities For Children was selected as the 2009 Best of Fort Collins Award in the Child Related Social Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) and chosen as the E-chievement Award recipient by Etown. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, Realities For Children received an A+ from the Better Business Bureau and has been a member since 1999. We were also awarded The Group Publishing Excellence to Education Charity Award in 2008 and 2009.

In August of 2006, Realities For Children was recognizes as the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month and recognized by the Larimer County Department of Human Services with the Shining Star Outstanding Award. Additionally, RFC received the 'My Day I Survived' Award for outstanding contributions to children in our community from the Larimer County Department of Human Services and a Certificiate of Appreciation from the Larimer County Workforce Center for our commitment to the betterment of the community through our involvement as a Work Site for the Work Experience Program and given the Quarterly Outstanding Volunteer & Service Award from the Larimer County Department of Human Services Children, Youth & Family Division. In 2005 Realities For Children was listed as one of the Top 10 Businesses Making a Difference in Colorado by the Colorado Business Journal, and the members of Realities For Children received the 'My Day I Survived Award' from the Larimer County Department of Human Services. In 2004, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce named Realities For Children to the 100 Best Businesses list.

In the year 2000 Realities was recognized in the nationwide register of Who's Who of Businesses. Realities For Children was nominated for the 2001 Loveland Business of the Year and in 2002 was honored with the Congressional National Leadership Award for assistance and leadership in promoting a pro-business agenda and fiscal responsibility.

In 1999 Realities For Children, Inc. was nominated for the Larimer County Guardian Award, which recognizes outstanding service to individual child victims and commitment to the multidisciplinary team concept in our community's response to child abuse. The Founder of Realities For Children, Inc. was honored by The Colorado Junior Chamber of Commerce as an 'Outstanding Young Coloradoan' in the State of Colorado for the creation and implementation of the Charity Oriented Business concept.Realities For Children was Larimer County's business of the year in 1998 and awarded the Liberty Bell Award for outstanding Legally Affiliated Organization by the Larimer County Young Lawyers Division.

In addition, Realities For Children has been recognized by former Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez, former Loveland Mayor Kathy Gilliland, Estes Park Mayor John Baudek, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, former District Attorney Stu Van Meveren, Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton, former Governor Bill Owens and former Governor Roy Romer who stated, "It is the efforts of programs like this that combat the very serious problem of child abuse. Working together we can make a difference in the lives of our communities' children in need and make Colorado the best place to raise a child."