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 a proud 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 Arvada, CO,  Colorado Gives features more than 2,200 Colorado nonprofit profiles.

Colorado Gives Day, scheduled for December 4, 2018, is an annual giving initiative that celebrates philanthropy statewide and inspires donors to “give where they live” through online donations. In 2017 $36.6 million was donated statewide in just one day, making Colorado Gives Day the state’s largest one-day giving event.

In our 5-county region, we saw some incredible increases in 2017 over 2016 on Colorado Gives Day with the introduction of our Regional Platform:

• 82% increase in participating nonprofits (from 28 in 2016 to 51 in 2017)
• 47% increase in # of donors to SW CO nonprofits (from 473 in 2016 to 696 in 2017)
• 56% increase in # of donations to SW CO nonprofits (from 734 in 2016 to 1,145 in 2017)
• 46% increase in amount donated in our region (from $143,595 in 2016 to $209,665 in 2017)

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

As a Regional Champion, the Community Foundation leads the local effort to strengthen online giving in Southwest Colorado. The Community Foundation spearheaded a regional online platform (swcogives.org) specifically for Southwest Colorado, making it easier for donors to find nonprofits in our region and give locally.

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

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

3. If approved to participate, invest $100 with the Community Foundation for a ColoradoGives Regional Platform participation fee. The fee guarantees your nonprofit’s inclusion on swcogives.org. All fees will be pooled to coordinate a regional marketing campaign, for the benefit of all nonprofits on swcogives.org.

4. Attend as many monthly Lunch & Learn meetings as possible (dates TBD later).

Questions about the process? Need more information? Mark your calendar for one of the following meetings with the Community First Foundation’s Colorado Gives Team, who will be coming down from the Front Range to host a discussion with regional nonprofits and the Community Foundation serving SW CO. You will be invited to share questions, ideas, concerns and feedback about ColoradoGives.org, Colorado Gives Day & swcogives.org.

Cortez, May 16, 9-11 AM, Cortez City Hall, 123 Roger Smith Ave.

Durango, May 16, 2-4 PM,  Community Room at First National Bank of Durango, 259 W. 9^th St.

Pagosa Springs, May 17, 9-11 AM, Pagosa Springs Arts Center, 2313 Eagle Dr.

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