Foundation History

The Poudre Learning Center Foundation (The Foundation) was founded in 2015 to help support the growth of the Poudre Learning Center (PLC).  That same year attendance at the PLC rose to 22,000 visitors and the greatest need was for an educational, indoor space for students to go during inclement weather.  To best accomplish this project, a Rotary steering committee led by Centennial Rotarian John Coppom (Pictured above on the left) worked alongside The Foundation led by Founding President Dan Austin (Pictured above on the right) to begin fundraising and friend making.  

The final product was the completion of the Inspired by Nature, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Station on the Prairie (InSTEM Station).  This 7,200 square foot learning space includes 6 potential classrooms and plenty of natural light.  In its first month open the InSTEM Station held programming for over 4,000 students, many of whom in the past would have had to cancel their field experience due to inclement weather. 

Today, The Foundation continues to oversee and plan for future growth at the PLC.  In 2019 the PLC had over 36,000 visitors and that number is expected to continue to rise.  To stay ahead of this growth, The Foundation is currently restoring a 133 acre adjacent parcel named the Hall 133.  It is named after the Hall family, who have generously donated all 198 acres at the PLC.