February 2026 Purpose Forum

Parking made easy: Hilltop offers a limited number of free visitor spaces in their lot, accessed from Colorado Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets—many spaces are permit parking only, so please check posted signage. Free overflow parking is available at the corner of 3rd Street and Colorado Avenue, west of the Ramos Law building, and metered street parking is available throughout the area.

What happens when generosity is netwoven—powered by everyday people who show up consistently, care deeply, and contribute in ways that feel human and attainable?

At this month’s Connect for Good Purpose Forum, we’ll explore generosity as a lived practice—not reserved for people with wealth, titles, or formal credentials, but accessible to anyone willing to offer time, energy, perspective, and follow-through.

Join us for a fireside chat with Judy Vanderleest and Biff Messinger—two respected community members whose journeys underscore a simple truth: meaningful impact does not require a fancy résumé.

Both Judy and Biff are retired from professional careers and deeply engaged in the nonprofit community. Their influence comes not from titles, but from sustained involvement, relationship-building, and a long-term commitment to helping good work thrive.

Judy is a co-founder of the Women’s Giving Club of Grand Junction, which later inspired the creation of the Guys Giving Club and additional giving circles across the region. She has also been actively involved with many local nonprofits over the years, offering leadership, continuity, and quiet stewardship across causes she cares about.

Biff is actively involved with the Guys Giving Club and has supported numerous local nonprofits through fundraising, volunteer leadership, and consistent behind-the-scenes support.

Together, they’ll share reflections on:

• Generosity as time, attention, wisdom, and follow-through—beyond dollars
• How everyday leaders create ripple effects without spotlight or status
• What sustained generosity looks like across different seasons of life
• Why anyone—regardless of background or education—can make a lasting difference

As always, the Connect for Good Purpose Forum is a solution-focused, high-possibility space for netweaving—bringing people, ideas, and resources together across generations and sectors to strengthen the fabric of our community.

💡 What you’ll take away

✨ Fresh perspective on what generosity can look like—at any stage of life
✨ Insight into meaningful, realistic ways to support nonprofits beyond writing checks
✨ Stories that affirm leadership doesn’t require a title, résumé, or spotlight
✨ A clearer sense of how everyday actions contribute to long-term community health
✨ New connections with people who care about the Grand Valley and its future✨

🪑 What to expect

🍽️ Lunch in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere
🔥 A fireside-style conversation—thoughtful, accessible, and grounded
💬 Facilitated dialogue with time for reflection and shared insights
🤝 Meaningful connection across nonprofit, business, civic, and community circles

No philanthropy background required.
No pressure to speak.
Just curiosity, care, and an openness to possibility.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who Should Attend:

• Community members curious about giving, volunteering, or contributing in new ways
• Aspiring philanthropists who want generosity to feel authentic and approachable
• Nonprofit leaders interested in meeting values-aligned community members
• Retirees and working professionals exploring purpose beyond career titles
• Newer residents looking for genuine on-ramps into community life
• Longtime locals who want to stay connected and engaged

✨ Why Attend:

• Connect naturally with business, civic, and nonprofit changemakers—building trust that supports future collaboration
• Grow your network in ways that feel genuine, human, and aligned with your values
• Reflect on how generosity shows up in your own life—and how it might evolve
• Discover people, causes, and opportunities you didn’t know you were missing
• Leave with inspiration and practical next steps—not just business cards

💬 From Our Community:

“I recommend the Purpose Forum. It’s a good mix of community. I feel seen. I feel part of the community. Good people are here. It’s very inspiring to be part of this.”
— Purpose Forum Attendee

🌐 Our unique approach to netweaving.

Connect for Good offers a different kind of gathering.

Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?” — we ask “What’s in it for us?”

We focus on collective impact and shared success—netweaving people, ideas, and opportunities that strengthen community life.

Whether you’re new to the area or simply exploring fresh ways to connect and contribute, the Purpose Forum offers inspiration and an opportunity to be part of something bigger.

Join us and experience why Connect for Good is being called “the community gathering we didn’t know we needed.”

🏛️ About Connect for Good

Connect for Good is a chamber of community—bringing people together across neighborhoods, sectors, and lived experiences to build relationships, discover local resources, and strengthen the social fabric of the Grand Valley.

Through monthly Purpose Forums, Board Connect, and leadership programs, Connect for Good helps cultivate trust, spark civic engagement, and grow connected, collaborative communities.

Rooted in Western Colorado, netweaving purpose, positivity, and possibilities everywhere.

🌱Everyone’s Welcome

If cost is a barrier, please reach out—we’re committed to making space for everyone whenever possible.

🎟️ Space is limited—register today and invite others who believe in connection, contribution, and community good!

If your plans change, just email us at [email protected] by midnight on the Sunday before the Forum and we’ll be glad to issue a refund. After that, tickets are non-refundable.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting this event:

📩 By registering for this event, you agree to receive organization updates and event information from Connect for Good.

Connect for Good events may be photographed or recorded for promotional purposes. By attending, you acknowledge and agree that your image may appear in our publications, website, social media, and other promotional materials.

If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform our staff upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, please note that media coverage by external organizations is beyond our control.

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