Durango, CO 81301
Nonprofit Resources
Professional Development
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
Upcoming Professional Development
Registration has opened for an intensive three-part training series on nonprofit board best practices. This series is designed for board members of nonprofit organizations in Southwest Colorado. The trainings are scheduled for October 10, October 24 and November 7 from 4-6pm.
Registration for the full series is $60. Information about each training is detailed below. Register here.
The three trainings will be facilitated by Illene Roggensack, President of Third Sector Innovations in Grand Junction. Roggensack has been involved in organization development as a business owner, nonprofit executive director, board member, volunteer and consultant for 25 years. She provided a board training series in Durango during the autumn of 2016 and presented as the keynote at Essentials for Thriving Nonprofits, a workshop for regional nonprofit professionals, in April 2016.
The Board Training series has been planned by the Southwest Rural Philanthropy Days (SW RPD) Interim Committee, a joint effort of local nonprofit leadership focused on continuing professional development to build a stronger nonprofit community.
Session 1:
It’s a Great Job and Somebody’s Gotta Do It: The Role, Responsibilities and Rigors of Serving on Nonprofit Boards
Tuesday, October 10 – 4-6pm | Durango Community Recreation Center
Subjects to be covered:
• Why serve on a nonprofit board?
• Individual and collective board member roles and responsibilities
• Committee work
• Outreach work
• Expectations and accountability
Session 2:
Bold Boards, Big Impact: Building a Nonprofit Board with the Right People and Right Relationships
Tuesday, October 24 – 4-6pm | First National Bank of Durango, Community Room
Subjects to be covered:
• Board make-up
• Potential member identification and recruitment
• Onboarding and orientation
• Ongoing training and retention; retreats
• Relationships (internal to board, board with staff, board with community)
Session 3:
Paying Attention to the Right Things: Assurance that the Nonprofit Board is On Point
Tuesday, November 7 – 4-6pm | First National Bank of Durango, Community Room
Subjects to be covered:
• Board self-evaluation
• Organizational success metrics and indicators
• Productive meetings and quality decision making
• Meaningful data (and its analysis) for use by the board
• Organization and succession planning
• Board needs at various stages of organization life cycle
Colorado Gives
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
November 14
Organization Funds
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
Fiscal Sponorship
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
Local Research
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.
Resources
- 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
