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 capacity-building opportunities that:

• Increase efficiency, resiliency, 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

Library Takeover with Funder Connections with the El Pomar Foundation

Thursday, April 17

1030 AM – 1 PM

Join us at your local library on April 17 for CRC’s Funder Connection Series with the El Pomar Foundation, followed by an exclusive Southwest Colorado After Party!

While the event itself will be hosted online, the Community Foundation invites nonprofits to gather in person at any of our nine regional libraries, where members of the El Pomar Southwest Council will be present.

This is a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow nonprofits, connect with El Pomar council members, and explore the Colorado Grants Guide—now available for free in all regional libraries, courtesy of the Community Foundation.

Don’t miss this chance to build relationships, gain valuable insights, and learn more about the El Pomar Foundation’s grant process. Free to attend, please bring your lunch—we hope to see you there!

Participating Libraries:

• Bayfield Public Library
• Cortez Public Library
• Dolores Public Library (town of Dolores)
• Dolores County Public Library (Dove Creek)
• Durango Public Library
• Ignacio Public Library
• Mancos Public Library
• Ruby Sisson Library in Pagosa Springs
• Silverton Public Library

Nonprofit Leaders and Board Member Trainings with the Colorado Nonprofit Association

Nonprofit Staff Training: “Transformative Leadership”

Tuesday, June 17

1 PM – 4 PM

TBK Bank Community Room: 259 W 9th St. Durango. CO. 81301

Session Summary: This interactive training will explore leadership strategies rooted in positive psychology and Appreciative Inquiry that promote a healthy workplace culture, engagement, and success. Participants will enjoy opportunities to work collaboratively and learn by sharing their own experiences and expertise. Attendees will leave with valuable resources that will help participants implement these strategies in the workplace.

Board Member Training: “Strategic Board Leadership: Governance, Culture & Community Impact”

Wednesday, June 18

9 AM – 4 PM

TBK Bank Community Room: 259 W 9th St. Durango. CO. 81301

Session Summary: This interactive training is designed to equip new and seasoned board members with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles. Participants will gain a comprehensive insight into the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors, which will include governance, organizational culture, fundraising, and connecting with the community. Interactive breakout discussion will allow board members to exchange experiences, build connections, and establish lasting peer support networks that extend beyond the session. Participants will be provided resources to support networks that extend beyond the session. Participants will be provided resources to support the implementation of strategies discussed during the presentation.

Registration Link Coming Soon

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 100 local organizations across our five counties, as part of Southwest Colorado Gives.

An Agency Fund is a long-term investment fund held and managed by the Community Foundation on behalf of a nonprofit organization. It provides consolidated investment management and convenience. After discussions with the nonprofit organization about objectives for the fund, we would recommend a financial goal. For more information on Agency Funds, please see our Agency Fund Fact Sheet.

Current Agency Funds

• Adaptive Sports Association
• Axis Health System
• Durango Food Bank
• Durango Playfest – Christina Erteszek Fund
• EMS Scholarship
• Flick & Knopick – Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Give Sonlight to the Next Generation
• Kiwanis Club Service
• La Plata County Humane Society
• Montezuma Land Conservancy
• San Juan Mountains Association
• Sheri Rochford Figgs – Durango Arts Center
• United Way
• Women’s Resource Center

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

• America 250-Colorado 150 Project
• Bear Smart
• Café au Play
• Community Treehouse
• Durango Derailers
• Early Childhood Council of Archuleta County
• Earth Day Durango
• Friends and Neighbors in Need in Archuleta County
• Give a Dam
• Maria’s Literary Foundation
• Sail Durango

The Community Foundation’s LAUNCH Fund assists nonprofits to secure affordable capital to accommodate growth and keep fiscal health a priority. The Community Foundation has partnered with First Southwest Bank and First Southwest Community Fund to provide low-interest loan packages for nonprofits for projects such as the purchase or renovation of real estate or the purchase a piece of equipment. Leveraging First Southwest Bank’s CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) designation, the Community Foundation can provide access to terms that appeal to nonprofit boards and staff.

Grant Writing Resources

The information below 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).

• Region 9 Data Dashboard
• Livable Wage
• Broadband Roadmap
• Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
• Community Development Action Plans (CDAP)
• Grant Writing – a monthly Grants Digest can be accessed on this page too!

• 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.
• The Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable works to increase the quantity and the quality of charitable planned gifts to nonprofit organizations by offering specialized training to its members.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Colorado Chapter enables people and organizations to practice effective fundraising through ethical standards, education resources, and networking.
• Thinking of starting a new nonprofit? Click here for some valuable assessment tools from GrantSpace by Candid, and click here for some start-up resources from the Community Resource Center.