As the Broomfield Community Foundation prepares for its final Heart of Broomfield Award ceremony, the moment invites reflection on one family’s extraordinary legacy of generosity.
Thirty-three years ago, a group of Broomfield business owners, residents, and civic leaders pooled their collective vision—and a modest $500 check—into what would become one of the community’s most impactful institutions. The Broomfield Community Foundation was born not from wealth, but from the belief that even a small community could build something enduring to support its neighbors for generations
That belief was tested—and transformed—in 1999. At the Broomfield Beginnings event, Jack TerHar Jr. and his wife, Penny, made a defining commitment: a $100,000 matching gift to establish what is now the Legacy Fund – Endowment. They paired it with a bold challenge to grow the fund to $1 million.
By 2013, that goal had been met. Today, the Legacy Fund has nearly doubled in size, and the Foundation has distributed more than $7.8 million in grants to local nonprofits and causes. Every dollar traces back, in spirit and in structure, to that original act of faith.
“The entire community is extremely thankful for that initial $100,000 gift,” said Josh Levell, treasurer of the Foundation’s board. “An endowed fund like the Legacy Fund allows the Foundation to think proactively, grow intentionally, and invest in what matters most to our community.”
The TerHar family’s impact extends well beyond that pivotal moment. As co-owners of Sill-TerHar Motors, they have built a legacy of deep community investment—supporting events such as Heart of Broomfield, the Old Broomfield Bash, and Dancing With the Broomfield Stars, while also contributing to local nonprofits, schools, and the Chamber of Commerce.
For former Executive Director Karen Smith, their influence was both broad and personal. “I relied on Jack as a trusted advisor,” she shared. “We had many conversations about community and foundation-related issues.” Smith also recalls Penny TerHar’s involvement in shaping the Foundation’s identity, serving on a rebranding advisory committee that helped define its enduring message: one community, many hearts, unlimited impact.
Now, that legacy is being formally celebrated. On May 28, the Broomfield Community Foundation will host its final Heart of Broomfield Award ceremony—an evening honoring individuals and families who have shaped the community through philanthropy and civic leadership. This year’s highest honor, the Enduring Heart Lifetime Achievement Award, will be presented to Jack Jr. and Penny TerHar and their family in recognition of a lifetime of giving that helped transform a humble idea into a multi-million-dollar community institution.
For those who have witnessed Broomfield’s growth, the evening will be a celebration of the kind hearts that have quietly shaped the community—and the legacy they leave behind. Please visit www.broomfieldfoundation.org to learn more and purchase tickets to the banquet.
