Foothills Unitarian Church

What Foothills Unitarian Church does

Foothills Unitarian Church is a Unitarian Universalist congregation headquartered at 1815 Yorktown Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado, founded in 1898 and governed by an elected Board of Trustees under a member-led congregational model. It serves approximately 500+ members and averages 560 attendees per week in 2025, with Sunday services offered both in-person (9 AM and 11 AM) and online via Zoom and YouTube livestream. Core products include weekly worship, a three-stage adult spiritual development pathway (Seeker/Partner/Guide), family and youth ministry (early childhood through high school including OWL sexuality education), justice organizing across climate, immigration, racial, housing, and LGBTQ+ domains, music ministry, pastoral care, and facility rentals. A podcast (The Unfolding Faith) and on-demand worship archive extend content distribution globally, while community programming (mobile food pantry, Faith Family Hospitality hosting, BIPOC Alliance fiscal sponsorship) anchors local impact.

Revenue is generated entirely from voluntary contributions with no fees for services. Primary streams are annual member pledges (the Build for Belonging campaign reached $1M in operating pledges), Share the Plate offerings (50% of weekly plate collections distributed to community partners), legacy/planned giving, vehicle donations processed through CarEasy, and third-party facility rentals (Sanctuary 400-seat capacity, Unity Hall 150-seat capacity, classrooms). Operations are supported by 15+ paid staff plus three ministers, including a Senior Minister, two additional ministers, an Executive Director, Music Director, and program managers. The organization completed a major building expansion between 2020 and 2024 and achieved UUA Green Sanctuary 2030 certification in January 2025.

Name

Foothills Unitarian Church

Legal name

Foothills Unitarian Church

Website

https://foothillsuu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Foothills Unitarian Church is a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Fort Collins, Colorado, serving 500+ members through weekly worship, faith formation programs, justice organizing, and pastoral care, funded entirely by voluntary member pledges, donations, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Worship and Congregational Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Unitarian worship services
• Faith formation programs
• Community justice organizing
• Pastoral care services
• Spiritual development pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Operating Fund Donations and Pledges: Primary revenue from member pledges and donations supporting church operations, staff, programs, and justice work. Members make annual pledges and regular contributions.
2. Sunday Offering Plate: Weekly collections during Sunday services; 50% supports church operations, 50% shared with community partners through Share the Plate program.
3. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through wills, real estate, stocks, life insurance, and designated cash gifts for long-term sustainability.
4. Capacity Building Campaign: Special fundraising campaigns for building expansion and financial stabilization, including member loans and one-time capacity gifts.
5. Space Rentals: Revenue from renting church facilities (Sanctuary, Unity Hall, classrooms) to community groups and organizations for events.
6. Vehicle Donations: Accepts vehicle donations (cars, trucks, RVs, boats) through CarEasy program, which are auctioned and proceeds support church operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Foothills Unitarian Church provides Sunday worship services (in-person and online), comprehensive faith formation programs for all ages, justice organizing, pastoral care, music ministry, and faith-development small groups. It also rents its facilities to community groups and accepts donations, pledges, and vehicle gifts to fund operations. Membership is supported through spiritual development pathways (Seeker, Partner, Guide) and extensive justice team engagement.

Product overview

Foothills Unitarian Church is a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Fort Collins, CO, offering a comprehensive portfolio of religious and community programs. The core offering is Sunday worship services available in-person and online via Zoom and YouTube. Supporting programs include children, youth, and family ministry (children's programs, middle/high school youth groups, early childhood nursery, OWL sexuality education), adult spiritual development (Find Your Path three-stage program with Journey Groups, Wellspring, and Covenantal Practice), justice work (food security, immigration justice, climate justice, housing justice, racial justice), music ministry (adult and children's choirs), pastoral care, and event/facility rentals. Digital offerings include The Unfolding Faith Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and an on-demand worship library. Financial engagement includes pledge-based giving, Share the Plate community grants, and legacy giving programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly worship services held at 9 AM and 11 AM, available in-person at 1815 Yorktown Ave, Fort Collins, CO, and online via Zoom and YouTube livestream, with children's and youth programs concurrent with services.
• Children's Programs Age-appropriate faith formation for nursery through 5th grade, including Kids Circle Groups at 9am and 11am, Spirit Home for K/1st grades, Kind Kids for 2nd/3rd grades, and Faith Explorers for 4th/5th grades.
• Middle School Youth Group Youth group for grades 6-8 meeting during 11am service, focusing on community building, spiritual development, and exploring Unitarian Universalist values.
• High School Youth Group Youth group for grades 9-12 meeting during 11am service, with focus on values exploration, Pine Ridge Reservation learning journey, and connection to the broader Foothills community.
• Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Comprehensive, science-based sexuality education curriculum for Kinder/1st grade, 5th/6th grade, 8th/9th grade, and young adult/older adult populations.
• Find Your Path Spiritual Development Three-stage adult spiritual development path: Seeker (newcomers), Partner (deepening journey), and Guide (leadership), featuring programs like Inquirers, BaseCamp, Journey Groups, Wellspring, and Covenantal Practice.
• Buckhorn Retreat Annual Labor Day weekend intergenerational retreat at Buckhorn Camp and Retreat Center near Fort Collins, featuring workshops, worship, fellowship, and outdoor activities.
• Music Ministry Music programs including Adult Choir (Wednesdays) and Children's Choir, plus special musical offerings during worship services led by Music Director Sophia Miller.
• Caring Ministry / Pastoral Care Pastoral care and support services for congregants dealing with family struggles, mental health, addiction, parenting, or grief, coordinated through [email protected].
• Mobile Food Pantry Partnership with Food Bank for Larimer County hosting twice-monthly mobile food distribution serving approximately 80-100 families per event, with volunteer opportunities for all ages.
• Justice Work Programs Social justice initiatives including Mobile Food Bank, Faith Family Hospitality, Sanctuary Everywhere, Climate Justice, Immigration Justice, Be More Gay, Housing Justice, and Racial Justice teams.
• Event Rentals Facility rental program offering spaces including Sanctuary (capacity 400), Unity Hall (capacity 150), classrooms, kitchen, and patio for community groups, nonprofits, and private events.
• On-Demand Worship Library Archive of past worship services available for on-demand viewing through Church Center, allowing access to sermons and musical offerings beyond live attendance.
• The Unfolding Faith Podcast Podcast delivering sermons from Foothills Unitarian Church with hopeful, grounded messages and practical life applications, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Early Childhood Programs Nursery care for infants and toddlers (6 weeks to 2 years) and preschool-kindergarten circle programs using the Chalice Children curriculum.
• Giving Programs Financial support options including Operating Fund pledges, Share the Plate community microgrants, Community Care Fund for emergency assistance, Legacy Giving, and stock/vehicle donations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 80-100 families per food pantry event, twice monthly
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Together ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Multi-faith coalition working for legislative change across Colorado. Foothills partners through Organizing for Power Team for deeper relational community organizing, leadership development, and strategic campaigns.
• Alianza NORCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit formed largely by immigrants from Northern Colorado community. Partnership involves breaking down obstacles immigrants face, empowering families, and changing oppressive systems. Foothills collaborates on immigration justice work.
• BIPOC AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color take action to decolonize systems and institutions. Foothills serves as fiscal sponsor and shares office and church building space.
• La CocinasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulturally sensitive Spanish-language therapeutic services for adults, children, and families in Northern Colorado. Partnership includes ongoing fundraising, accompaniment of those detained or separated, and following their leadership on advocacy.
• Food Bank for Larimer CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership hosting mobile food pantry twice monthly on Foothills campus since October 2016. Church provides equipment, space, volunteers, and funds. Serves 80-100 families per event.
• Family Housing Network of Fort Collins (Faith Family Hospitality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith ministry providing temporary housing to families experiencing homelessness. Foothills is founding member, hosts families 4 times yearly, works with FFH social worker, and provides financial support.
• La Familia / The Family CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation and family-strengthening services for Latino community in Larimer County. Partnership includes ESL tutoring, holiday gift drives, resource provision, and Breaking Bread shared meals initiative.
• Homeward AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWrap-around agency addressing homelessness. Partnership includes One Village One Family program, gear drives, fundraising, and companioning families from homelessness into stable housing.
• ISAAC (Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroad interfaith coalition supporting immigration justice. Foothills is founding member and provides fiscal sponsorship for NoCo Emergency Immigration Fund.
• Plymouth United Church of ChristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership rooted in shared values and cooperation. Collaboration on immigration justice needs in Northern Colorado.
• Congregation Har ShalomsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish congregation, neighbors east of Foothills on Drake. Partnership visible in Faith Family Hospitality hosting collaboration.
• Fuerza LatinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of immigrants and allies dedicated to educating, informing, organizing, and promoting change for improved quality of life for immigrants.
• ISAAC NoCo Emergency Immigration FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmergency fund for immigrants facing crisis from immigration policies, managed by Foothills as fiscal sponsor. Distributes funds to those ineligible for other support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• First Parish in Cambridge (Cambridge, MA): Long-established liberal Unitarian Universalist congregation with comparable full lifecycle programming, justice focus, and progressive identity; benchmark for mid-to-large UU operating models.
• First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis: Large Twin Cities Unitarian Universalist congregation; comparable progressive UU identity, full ministry stack (worship, RE, justice, music), and similar reliance on pledges and facility revenue. Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink previously served on its ministerial team, signaling direct relational and programmatic similarity.
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder: Boulder-based UU congregation with progressive social-justice focus, sustainability programs, and similar small-group/RE portfolio; competes for the same Northern Colorado donor and member pool.
• East Shore Unitarian Church (Bellevue, WA): Pacific Northwest UU congregation with strong justice work, RE programming, and music ministry; comparable operating footprint and progressive theological positioning.
• First Universalist Church of Minneapolis: Another major Minneapolis UU congregation with overlapping justice work, music ministry, and progressive identity. Direct former employer of Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink; operates a comparable multi-program portfolio to Foothills.
• All Souls Church Unitarian (Washington, D.C.): Large, urban, historically progressive UU congregation with national-profile justice work, full music ministry, and multi-platform worship (in-person + streaming) — a clear functional analogue at a larger scale.
• Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church (Bethesda, MD): Mid-Atlantic UU congregation with comparable progressive identity, multi-generational programming, and justice team structure; useful benchmark for member/pledge economics.
• Jefferson Unitarian Church (Golden, CO): Front Range Colorado UU congregation serving the Denver metro with similar progressive identity, family/RE programming, justice teams, and pledge-based funding model — the closest in-region peer.
• Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church (Walnut Creek, CA): Large suburban UU church with extensive RE, justice, and music programs; comparable size, pledge model, and online-worship adoption to Foothills.

Regional players

• Plymouth United Church of Christ (Fort Collins, CO): Listed Foothills partner; progressive UCC congregation sharing Fort Collins geography and immigration-justice work. Not a UU but directly comparable in values, programming mix, and member demographics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZzkP61UWMKTToOqO5kNATQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Foothills-Unitarian-Church/142304869159572
• Instagraminstagram.com/foothillsuu/?hl=en
• Xx.com/foothillsuu

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foothills Unitarian Church