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About Cheryl Zimlich

President and CEO at Bohemian Foundation

Cheryl Zimlich is the President and CEO of Bohemian Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing music, arts, and community initiatives in Northern Colorado. A CSU College of Business accounting alumna (class of 1986), she transitioned from a 15-year accounting career to nonprofit leadership, emphasizing music programs, philanthropy, and collaborative investments in arts and environmental causes. Her work highlights themes of diversity, inclusion, and long-term community impact through strategic funding and partnerships.

Leadership in Music and Arts Philanthropy

Cheryl Zimlich serves as President and CEO of Bohemian Foundation, overseeing music programs and community initiatives in Fort Collins, CO.[8][10] She has been instrumental in key appointments, such as selecting Tom Scharf as Music Programs Director, praising his professional credentials and nonprofit experience.[3] Zimlich also sits on the Board of Directors for Music Will, alongside other philanthropy leaders.[10]

Accounting Background and Career Transition

A 1986 graduate of CSU College of Business, Zimlich spent her first 15 years in accounting before ascending to executive roles at Bohemian Foundation, initially as Executive Director.[2][1] Her compensation as Exec. Director was $103,833 (older data), rising to $195,000 as President and CEO.[7][8]

Board Roles and Family Ties

Zimlich serves on the Bohemian Operating Foundation board with Pat Stryker and Joe Zimlich, reflecting family and philanthropic connections.[4][6][7] She has participated in Grantmakers in the Arts conferences, supporting arts funding discussions.[5] Recent involvement includes NoCo Foundation's '50 Years of Philanthropy' alongside leaders like Katie Zwetzig.[9]

Community and Environmental Investments

Zimlich advocates for collaborative funding, stating, “The investment we can make together in NoCoFires Fund will have positive impacts for decades,” linking arts philanthropy to watershed and fire recovery efforts.[1] Bohemian Foundation venues like Sunset Lounge benefit from her oversight, with collaborators praising the board's approachability.[6]

Music and Arts Philanthropy

Central focus on advancing music programs and arts funding through leadership at Bohemian Foundation.

  • Selected Tom Scharf as Music Programs Director [3]

  • Board member of Music Will [10]

  • CEO of Bohemian Foundation [8]

Nonprofit Leadership and Governance

Active in board roles and executive positions emphasizing strategic hires and community impact.

  • President/CEO Bohemian Foundation [2][8]

  • Board of Bohemian Operating Foundation with Pat Stryker and Joe Zimlich [4]

  • Grantmakers in the Arts conference participant [5]

Accounting Expertise in Philanthropy

Leverages 15-year accounting career for nonprofit financial oversight.

  • CSU accounting alum, first 15 years as accountant [2]

  • Exec. Director compensation $103,833 [7]

  • CFO oversight as CEO [8]

Collaborative Community Investments

Promotes long-term partnerships in arts, philanthropy, and environmental resilience.

  • NoCoFires Fund investment quote [1]

  • 50 Years of Philanthropy event [9]

  • Sunset Lounge board praised for ease [6]

Diversity and Inclusion in Arts

Engages in networks supporting inclusive arts grantmaking (inferred from topics and affiliations).

  • Grantmakers in the Arts involvement [5]

  • Music Will board with diverse leaders [10]

Every entry that fed the multi-agent compile above. Inline citation markers in the wiki text (like [1], [2]) are not yet individually linked to specific sources — this is the full set of sources the compile considered.

  1. Big Thompson Watershed – Coyote Gulcharticle · 2026-04-14
  2. Department of Accounting Hall of Fame - CSU College of Businessarticle · 2026-04-14
  3. TOM SCHARF SELECTED AS BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION MUSIC ...article · 2026-04-14
  4. Bohemian Operating Foundation | Fort Collins, CO - Cause IQarticle · 2026-04-14
  5. Conference Support | Denver, Colorado - Grantmakers in the Artsarticle · 2026-04-14
  6. Jazz Sensation Mark Sloniker steals the show at Sunset Lounge (Q&A)article · 2026-04-14
  7. Bohemian Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublicaarticle · 2026-04-14
  8. Bohemian Foundation | Fort Collins, CO - Cause IQarticle · 2026-04-14
  9. 50 Years of Philanthropy - NoCo Foundationarticle · 2026-04-14
  10. Board of Directors - Music Willarticle · 2026-04-14