BRIEFS

Longmont-based First Nations Development Institute won Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating, up from its previous 3-star designation, for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more than 30 years, First Nations has been working to restore Native Americans’ control and culturally compatible stewardship of the assets they own and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of their communities.

Boulder-based Growing Gardens is offering gardening classes for beginners this spring for the sixth straight year. Growing Gardens will hold two introductory organic-gardening classes. Introduction to Gardening I focuses on crop selection, companion planting, soil preparation, seed starting and transplanting. Introduction to Gardening II stresses soil fertility and helps gardeners incorporate healthy soil techniques into their gardens. Participants also learn to make and use compost and compost tea, and the importance of cover crops to improve soil health, garden productivity and efficiency. Introduction to Gardening I will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, and Introduction to Gardening II will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6. Each class costs $35 and meets at Growing Garden’s Greenhouse, 1630 Hawthorne Ave., Boulder. For more information, contact Annie Sweeney at 303-443-9952, extension 2, or annie@growinggardens.org.


FUNDRAISERS

13th Annual Canine Classic 5K Run/Walk will begin at 9 a.m., Sunday, April 14, at Boulder Reservoir, 5565 51st St., Boulder. Some proceeds will benefit Moving to End Sexual Assault, a nonprofit. Cost to enter ranges from $18 to $38, with group rates available. Register online at http://canineclassic.eventbrite.com/?ref=ecount#.


GOOD DEEDS

After 19 years sporting a polar bear as its unofficial mascot, Polar Bottle — made by Boulder-based Product Architects LLC — is honoring its relationship to the endangered species by committing to help protect it. In conjunction with International Polar Bear Day, Polar Bottle launched a Polar Bears International Benefit Bottle, the latest addition to the company’s line of benefit bottles supporting local, national and international nonprofits. The bottle will be sold exclusively online at polarbottle.com. For every $14.99 24-ounce bottle sold, Polar Bottle will donate $5 to Bozeman, Montana-based Polar Bears International’s research, education and advocacy efforts.

The Ball Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Broomfield-based Ball Corp. (NYSE:BLL), committed $100,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund for 2013.

The Boulder Knights of Columbus Council 1183 presented checks for $1,050 each to Imagine!’s Dayspring department and Carmel, both of which provide support to people with developmental disabilities and delays. Council 1183 has donated a total of $14,912.23 to Imagine! from funds raised by its annual Tootsie Roll Drive. Knights of Columbus chapters in Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville and Longmont donated $47,416.04 to Imagine! during the past decade.