25 Years & 25 Stories: Introducing our Anniversary Series with Molly Martin
The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is excited to announce our 25th Anniversary! To celebrate our 25 years of philanthropy and nourishing the nonprofit sector of Southwest Colorado, we’re sharing 25 stories from community members, nonprofits, and funders who have made the Community Foundation’s mission possible. Our founder and president, Molly Martin, is kicking off this ongoing series throughout 2025. Watch the video below for her introduction, and read her story about starting the Community Foundation 25 years ago.
In Molly’s story, she shares how her search, along with other nonprofit leaders in Southwest Colorado, lead them to create this organization began in 2000. Read on to learn about how this grassroots initiative came to fruition.
By Molly Martin
Twenty-five years ago, I was the executive director of an area nonprofit in Southwest Colorado. During that time, I was working with other directors of local nonprofits to find more sustainable ways to fund not only our organizations, but the entire local sector. In such a small community with an even smaller pool of donors, it was evident that nonprofits collectively needed some sort of savings account.
One of these directors in search of a solution was Lon Erwin, who had heard of a community foundation in Homer, Alaska, a little seaside town surrounded by mountains. This sparked our interest, since most community foundations are typically found in larger cities, and Homer’s demographics were very similar to Durango’s.
Lon Erwin (1941-2019) enjoys an event with the Community Foundation.
When I started doing my own research, I quickly discovered that Grand Junction had just started a Community Foundation in 1996. Close enough! I organized a community informational meeting with the planned giving expert from Grand Junction’s Western Colorado Community Foundation.
The idea was well received, but a community member, Brad Cochennet, new to town and with time to give, came forward to volunteer his efforts to start our own Foundation. Thus, the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado was born in 2000. Since then, I’ve continued to be involved as a funder, board member, and avid advocate for the Foundation’s mission.
It’s been a wonderful journey watching this organization grow into the place it now holds in our communities in Southwest Colorado, allowing nonprofits and the spirit of philanthropy to thrive because of it.
To see more stories about the Foundation from various community members, visit our online flipbook here!
