Arboretum Coffee isn’t just one of your favorite local coffee shops; it’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a positive impact on the Fort Collins community. At its core, Arboretum Coffee focuses on helping others, particularly immigrants and refugees, by providing employment opportunities and support through various nonprofit initiatives. In addition to its internal mission, Arboretum Coffee collaborates with several local nonprofits to build a network of support that benefits the entire community.

Arboretum Coffee’s Mission: Helping Immigrants and Refugees
As a nonprofit, Arboretum Coffee stands out by focusing on providing job opportunities and personal growth for immigrants and refugees in Northern Colorado. Founded with the goal of breaking down barriers to success for these individuals, Arboretum Coffee offers a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can gain professional experience and become part of the local community. The coffee shop doesn’t just serve drinks—it serves as a lifeline for many, helping others transition into a new chapter of their lives.
Through programs aimed at professional development, mentorship, and community support, Arboretum Coffee ensures that its employees not only learn valuable skills but also feel empowered. This mission is at the heart of everything we do, making Arboretum Coffee more than just another coffee shop; it’s a community hub where social impact thrives.

Collaborating with Local Nonprofits for Greater Impact
In addition to its internal efforts, Arboretum Coffee frequently collaborates with other local nonprofits to maximize its impact on the community. By partnering with various organizations, Arboretum Coffee can offer additional resources, services, and opportunities that extend beyond its walls. Some of these partnerships include working with local groups that focus on sustainability, food production, and community well-being. For example, the Market Co-Op on Mountain, which showcases products from local farmers and artisans, occasionally collaborates with Arboretum Coffee to unite amazing people and causes. Another partnership we are proud to talk about is ISAAC of Northern Colorado who we host for the Adelante program and also refer refugees and immigrants to our program.
Like these, there are many others:
- Immigrant Refugee Center of Northern Colorado – They connect recently-arrived refugees and immigrants with our program.
- Canvas Credit Union – Runs our financial literacy life-skills class.
- Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development Center – Runs our career preparation class.
- Poudre Libraries – Provides ESL (English as a Second Language) mentoring and conversations in English.
Arboretum Coffee’s emphasis on collaboration with other nonprofits helps strengthen Fort Collins by connecting residents with valuable resources, promoting sustainability, and encouraging a culture of supporting local businesses.

Supporting Local Artisans and Producers
Arboretum Coffee also works closely with local artisans and producers, such as bakeries and agricultural groups, to bring the best local products to its customers. By partnering with organizations like Bread Chic and La Creperie & French Bakery, Arboretum Coffee is able to offer fresh, locally sourced baked goods and ingredients that not only support the local economy but also promote sustainable farming practices. These partnerships provide a platform for smaller businesses to reach more customers, aligning with Arboretum’s mission of helping others thrive.
The collaboration between Arboretum and local producers creates a network of businesses and nonprofits that work together for the greater good. Whether you’re enjoying a freshly baked pastry or attending a community event, your support helps make a difference.

Community Events and Fundraisers
One of the ways Arboretum Coffee further connects with the community is by catering events and fundraisers that support nonprofits. These events are designed to raise awareness, funds, and resources for organizations that share Arboretum’s values of helping others. We are partnered with GLOBAL Justice hosting their Justice Cafes to talk about sustainable coffee, refugee and immigrant issues, and sharing GLOBAL’s GLBL MARKT.
By using its space for these types of events, Arboretum Coffee creates opportunities for customers to get involved in meaningful causes. Whether you’re participating in a donation drive, attending a community gathering, or simply buying your daily coffee, every interaction helps strengthen the bonds of the local community.
Support a Great Cause in Northern Colorado
Arboretum Coffee is more than just a local coffee shop; it’s a nonprofit organization committed to helping others and fostering a sense of community. Through its own mission to support immigrants and refugees, and by partnering with other local nonprofits like the Market Co-Op on Mountain and organizations like Bread Chic and the Colorado Grain Chain, Arboretum Coffee amplifies its impact. The next time you grab your favorite drink or snack from Arboretum Coffee, remember that you’re supporting a network of local businesses and nonprofits all working together to make Fort Collins a better place for everyone.
Join Arboretum Coffee in making a difference by attending one of our upcoming events or by simply enjoying a cup of coffee. Together, we can continue to help others and build a stronger, more connected community.