The Community Foundation inspires hope, leadership and generosity in our community by bringing economic stability, professional development and collaboration to the nonprofit sector. As a community facilitator, we coordinate with nonprofit professionals throughout Colorado to provide opportunities that:

• Increase efficiency, sustainability and success for nonprofits in Southwest Colorado
• Build relationships and facilitate networking between nonprofit professionals
• Create opportunities for peer discussion around best practices
• Enhance relationships across county and geographic boundaries

The Community Foundation is excited to announce that we have become a Regional Champion for ColoradoGives!

What is ColoradoGives…and what is Colorado Gives Day?

ColoradoGives is a year-round online giving platform that makes it easy for donors to search for nonprofits and donate online.  Hosted by the Community First Foundation in Denver, Colorado Gives features over 2,000 Colorado nonprofit profiles.

Colorado Gives Day, scheduled for December 5, 2017, is an annual giving initiative that celebrates philanthropy statewide and inspires donors to “give where they live” through online donations.

In 2016, $33.8 million was donated statewide and $143,595 was donated to Southwest Colorado nonprofits.

What is the Community Foundation’s role as a Regional Champion?

As a Regional Champion, the Community Foundation will lead the local effort to strengthen online giving in Southwest Colorado. The Community Foundation will have an additional platform built specifically for Southwest Colorado, making it easier for donors to find nonprofits in our region and give locally.

Additionally, the Community Foundation will coordinate marketing efforts to promote ColoradoGives and Colorado Gives Day, as well as provide support and professional development as local nonprofits build and plan their campaigns.

In past years, other community foundations in Colorado who have served as Regional Champions have seen donations to nonprofits in their area skyrocket.

Why should my nonprofit participate in Colorado Gives?

Benefits of participating in ColoradoGives include:

• Access to an inexpensive online giving platform
• Inclusion in an additional Southwest Colorado platform, making it easier for donors to find your organization and donate online
• Collaboration with other Southwest Colorado nonprofits
• Local support and professional development opportunities
• Added visibility to your campaign through the Community Foundation’s marketing efforts
• Minimization of operational costs and staff time (Community First Foundation handles gift processing and receipts)

How do I get started with ColoradoGives?

1. Determine if your nonprofit is eligible by reviewing the ColoradoGives Eligibility Requirements

2. If eligible, enroll in the required ColoradoGives Intro Webinar.

• There are no longer any Intro Webinars available

3. Complete and submit your ColoradoGives profile for review by August 31. (More info about the review process here)

4. If approved to participate, invest $100 for a ColoradoGives local participation fee. The fee guarantees your nonprofit’s inclusion in the Southwest Colorado platform and breaks down as follows:

• $55 for local ad buy
• $30 for coordination, resource development, graphic design, and PR
• $8 for the Regional Champion fee
• $7 for meeting costs

5. Attend as many Lunch & Learn meetings as possible.

Upcoming Lunch & Learns

Lunch & Learn meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month in the First National Bank Community Room.  Lunch & Learns focus on education and resources regarding how to execute an effective ColoradoGives campaign, as well as provide local nonprofits the opportunity to connect and discuss their experiences with the process.

July 11 | 11:30am – 1:30pm – ColoradoGives: Could My Nonprofit Benefit?

Cindy Arnold Hummiston will present on the enrollment requirements, process, and timeline for ColoradoGives and help enable nonprofits to make an informed decision about whether they should add ColoradoGives to their fundraising strategy.

August 8 | 11:45am – 1:00pm – Next Steps & Developing an Action Plan

This Lunch & Learn is intended for nonprofits that are approved for ColoradoGives or are in the process of completing a profile for approval.  We will be discussing:

• the Community Foundation’s role as a regional champion
• planning next steps and a marketing timeline to get the most out of ColoradoGives
• deciding on a logo for the Southwest Colorado regional platform
• pros and cons of a PR launch event.

September 12 | 11:45am – 1:00pm – Retention Fundraising: Strategies for Keeping Your Colorado Gives Day Donors

October 10 | 11:45am – 1:00pm – Creating a Buzz: Marketing for Southwest Colorado Gives

This Colorado Gives Lunch & Learn is for nonprofits that are approved (or nearly approved) for Colorado Gives and are participating in the Southwest Colorado Gives regional platform.  The Community Foundation will provide an update on the budget we have to work with to promote SW CO Gives, as well as a marketing plan. Please come with any ideas you would like to add.

If you would like to participate in the regional platform, please submit your $100 participant fee to the Community Foundation by Friday, October 13. 

November 14 | 11:45am – 1:00pm – It’s almost time for Southwest Colorado Gives Day

This Colorado Gives Lunch & Learn is for nonprofits that are approved for the SW Regional Platform for Colorado Gives. The Community Foundation will provide an update on the marketing plan roll out. Nonprofits will determine interest in an awareness “rally” of some sort. Please come with any ideas you would like to add.

An Organization Fund is a long-term fund held and managed by the Community Foundation on behalf of a nonprofit organization. It provides consolidated investment management, speed, convenience, and guidance for donors. Donors always receive assurance money that will be managed into long-term. After discussions with the organization about objectives for the fund, we would recommend a financial goal. For more information on organization funds, please see our Organization Fund Fact Sheet.
Current Organization Funds

The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado supports the nonprofit community through various partnerships and initiatives as well as providing an opportunity for organizations who want to provide charitable services to their community.

To learn more about Fiscal Sponsorship and the application process, please take a look at our Fiscal Sponsorship Packet.
Current Fiscal Sponsorships

Southwest Colorado Index

The Southwest Colorado Index is intended to assist nonprofits and funding entities across the region by accurately gauging the overall economic, social and environmental health of the communities in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan Counties (Region 9).
The separate reports of the Index, which are provided courtesy of community sponsors, can be found below.  Nonprofits may find this information and data helpful in their grant writing.
Previously called the Pathways to Healthier Communities Indicator Report, the Index was first published by Operation Healthy Communities Inc. (OHC) in 1996. After OHC produced five editions of the Indicator Report in 2006, the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado took over publication.

• Economic Health & Diversity
• Housing
• Livable Wages
• Energy & Conservation
• Transportation
• Healthcare
• Education & Early Childhood Care

• Board Source inspires and supports excellence in nonprofit governance, as well as board and staff leadership.
• Blue Avocado is the bimonthly newsletter of Amiercan Nonprofits, a membership organization that provides practical financial information and support to U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, staff, stakeholders, and volunteers.
• The Colorado Nonprofit Association is the voice of Colorado’s nonprofit community, offering its members a variety of services and technical assistance on starting and managing nonprofit organizations.
• The Colorado Grants Guide is a comprehensive directory of funding sources published by Community Resource Center. For information, call (303) 623-1540 or visit CRC’s website.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Colorado Chapter enables people and organizations to practice effective fundraising through ethical standards, education resources, and networking.
• Auditors used by Southwest Colorado nonprofits