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 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

How PRIs Work: A Basic Primer for Nonprofits

PRI (Program-Related Investments), a low-interest loan, might be a good fit for your organization, especially if you have a project that requires large, up-front capital. Understanding how PRIs work can help your organization assess whether this tool is right for you.

We hosted a Zoom presentation with Cass Walker Harvey, executive director of the First Southwest Community Fund and Mike Roque, executive director of the Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley, to unpack the details and provide examples of successful PRIs.

Locally, the Community Foundation’s Impact Investing revolving loan fund, LAUNCH is available for certain projects. Contact Briggen Wrinkle for more details.

Free Webinar Offered through the Telluride Foundation

Facilitated by Denise Clark, Telluride-based nonprofit consultant and coach

The Value of Donor Acknowledgment—Don’t Take Gratitude for Granted
Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

A common fundraising mistake made by nonprofits is focusing on acquiring donors and not paying attention to donors they already have. The donor relations cycle includes both cultivation AND acknowledgment. The prompt expression of gratitude should be a structured part of your fundraising system. But where do you start? How can you fit thanking donors into your day-to-day activities?

We will explore how to acknowledge donors and incorporate gratitude into your fundraising program. We will discuss creative ways to thank donors and why acknowledgment is key in turning your supporters into loyal, recurring donors.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErcuirqjMtHdO985en2FhWWPT7Ngi_gdT_

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Denise has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and is recognized as a thought partner on management, leadership, and governance. Clark serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver and specializes in building healthy nonprofit organizations, executive director coaching, board development, strategic planning, and fundraising.

The Community Foundation is a proud Regional Champion for ColoradoGives! We spearhead local participation in the state’s largest online giving event, Colorado Gives Day. We provide the regional giving platform, swcogives.org, and facilitate the collaborative promotion of more than 85 local organizations across our five counties, as part of Southwest Colorado Gives.

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, convenience, and guidance for donors. Donors always receive assurance that money will be managed for the 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 provides an opportunity for certain organizations that want to provide charitable services to their community, but need additional support.

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

Current Fiscal Sponsorships

• All Forward Adventures
• Bear Smart
• Café au Play
• Cancer Coalition of Southwest Colorado
• Daybreak Solar Project
• Dumpster Beautification Project
• Durango Derailers
• New Face Productions
• Pine River Shares
• The Community Treehouse

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 American 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. Click here to download CNA’s Principles & Practices.
• The Colorado Grants Guide is a comprehensive directory of funding sources published by the 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
• Thinking of starting a new nonprofit? Click here for some invaluable assessment tools from GrantSpace by Candid.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, we are gathering helpful resources for nonprofits. Check back regularly, as we update the information whenever we learn about something new.