In 2020, The Hadley Smith Bluff Lake Nature Center Fund was launched by a $1,000,000 donation to Bluff Lake by the Smith Family (David and Jody, daughter Hillary and husband Aron, grandchildren Peter, Rodger, and Penryn), in honor of their late daughter Hadley.

Words cannot begin to describe how humbled and grateful the BLNC team has been to the Smith Family for bestowing this gift on our organization. Our mission to make nature accessible resonates with many who have discovered what a special place BLNC is, and we were thrilled when the Smith Family decided to invest in our future, and the future of this community.

Through this fund, we have been able to dream bigger than ever before about our work. We have lengthen our vision and begun to create a new reality for Bluff Lake.

Since the initial investment from the Smith Family, the fund has grown from $1,000,000 to $1,228,696.39, thanks to the generous support of our donors who wish to invest in the long-term vision of Bluff Lake, as well as the wise investment of The Denver Foundation.

How does the Fund work?

• The $1,000,000 gift will be held and invested by The Denver Foundation. Each year, BLNC can withdraw 4.5% of the fund’s year-end balance (or $50,000, whichever is higher) to support:

  • Building significantly larger and longer-term philanthropic support for BLNC

  • Imagining the future of BLNC, which could include a capital campaign and construction of a “Signature Building” onsite

• Starting in 2027, other BLNC needs as approved by our Board of Directors