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New award to recognize Boulder County leaders in honor of community pioneer Nino Gallo

The Community Foundation of Boulder County award seeks to advance Gallo’s legacy, “including his innovative work on behalf of immigrants and the economically disadvantaged that shaped community engagement efforts, programs and policies throughout Boulder and Broomfield counties,” according to an announcement on the foundation’s website.
Nino Gallo 1
Nino Gallo, a supporter and pioneer in the Latino community and Longmont resident died from COVID-19 in December. The Community Foundation of Boulder County has created a new leadership award in his honor. (Courtesy photo)

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The Community Foundation of Boulder County has created a new award to recognize outstanding local leaders in Boulder and Broomfield counties who embody the characteristics of Nino Gallo, a Chilean immigrant and Latino pioneer who worked for decades for the advancement and promotion of equity. 

Gallo, a Longmont resident, died from COVID-19 in December. On Jan. 5, Boulder County and the Longmont and Boulder city councils voted to proclaim the date, which would have been Gallo’s 71st birthday, Nino Gallo Day in recognition of his service to the community across the two municipalities and the entire county. 

The Community Foundation award seeks to advance Gallo’s legacy, “including his innovative work on behalf of immigrants and the economically disadvantaged that shaped community engagement efforts, programs and policies throughout Boulder and Broomfield counties,” according to an announcement on the foundation’s website.

A new perpetual endowment fund will sponsor the annual award, according to Vice President of Philanthropic Services Lynda Ricketson. 

“We want this to be able to live on and ensure other folks who embody the characteristics (Gallo) did will have the opportunity to benefit from this and always keep his memory and passion alive,” she said. 

Bob Norris, a longtime community activist, has offered an initial contribution of $5,000 and a one-to-one match of up to $10,000 in support of the award, Ricketson said, adding the foundation is receiving donations to fund the award for years to come. As of Tuesday, the fund had received close to 20 donations totalling more than $2,000.

“People can contribute at any point in time. We hope it will become something people can think of on his birthday, Nino Gallo Day,” she said. “The amount of the award is completely dependent on the amount of money we are able to raise.”

The award will be presented through the Leadership Fellows program, an 11-month leadership development and networking program of the Community Foundation and the Boulder Chamber, Ricketson said. The inaugural recipient will be selected and announced during the 2021-22 fellowship year.

Gallo, his widow, Norma Fuentes, and his stepdaughter, Adriana Perea, were all Leadership Fellows alumni. 

“Our strategic plan embracing equity for our community led us to establish the fellows program because of the underrepresentation of people of color in leadership roles in the county. (Gallo, Fuentes, Perea) and Nina Christensen and Claudia Perry (Gallo’s daughters), all really just completely embody that (vision),” Ricketson said. “We just want to ensure this is a way we can support people becoming leaders in the community and that they have a role model as powerful as (Gallo) to follow.”

The award means Gallo's impact and dedication to the community will continue to recognize and celebrate individuals who encompass his characteristics, work ethic and service, Christensen said.

"(My sister and I) have always been so proud of him, everything he was able to achieve as an immigrant in this country and how many lives he touched," she said. "Our dad was a shining light to everyone who was blessed to know him and be loved by him. He instilled in us a love for our community, to always appreciate and support each other. To be proud of where we come from and proud of where we are now."

Knowing their father's legacy will live on through this award provides some comfort after Gallo’s death, she said. 

“Nino’s name will resonate and carry on to future generations. Through this award, we hope that immigrants and descendants of immigrants can see themselves through Nino's life work because — as we know — representation is power,” Fuentes, program director at Intercambio Uniting Communities, stated in a web post announcing the award. 

To donate to the Nino Gallo Leadership Award Fund, click here. Interested donors also can send a check to the Community Foundation adding Nino Gallo in the memo line or can also donate gifts of stock or cash wires. Checks can be mailed to 1123 Spruce St., Boulder, 80302.

Silvia Romero Solís

About the Author: Silvia Romero Solís

Después de viajar por el mundo, Silvia llegó a establecerse en Longmont. Ella busca usar su experiencia en comunicaciones y cultura para crear más equidad y diversidad en las noticias de Longmont.
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