Photo: Participating nonprofits tell their stories at last year’s Grand County Gives Kick-off rally.

For nonprofits in Grand County, fundraising is a critical source of financing their missions. There are a number of ways to give to our nonprofits. Progressive dinners, galas, pub crawls, golf tournaments, brunches and other creative, special events are hosted by nonprofits to raise funds throughout the year. 

On Tuesday, December 10th, one of the nation’s largest one-day giving movements, Colorado Gives Day, takes place. Community First Foundation and FirstBank partner to make the day rewarding for givers, nonprofits and the community as a whole. Since it began in 2010, Colorado Gives Day has grown to be the state’s largest one-day online giving event, raising more than $217 million. 

Colorado Gives Day features a $1.5 million Incentive Fund. Every nonprofit that receives a donation on Colorado Gives Day will receive a portion of the fund, based on their percentage of the total amount raised, increasing the value of every dollar donated. It is not a dollar for dollar match.

In 2017, the Grand Foundation created ‘Grand County Gives’. A regional champion of the Colorado Gives Day program, it is a collaboration of 24 participating Grand County nonprofits that has created meaningful networking opportunities and leveraged charitable giving in Grand County. 

On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Grand County Gives Kickoff Rally will cross the county to raise awareness for Colorado Gives Day. The rally starts in Kremmling at Big Shooter Coffee at 8 am, heads over to downtown Winter Park at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (Denos, Hideaway Park Brewery, Subway) and finishes up at Brickhouse 40 in Granby from 4 – 6 pm. At two of the stops, participating nonprofits are entered in a drawing for a $500 donation from Grand Foundation, which will be added to their funding on Colorado Gives Day. 

According to Grand Foundation Executive Director, Megan Ledin, Grand County nonprofits received about $400K in 2016, $800K in 2017 and $876K last year. “Each year it has grown. We would really like to see that number go over $1 million this year,” she said. In total, Ledin estimates Grand County nonprofits have received about $4 million since they began participating in Colorado Gives Day. 

Grand County Rural Health Network’s Executive Director, Jen Fanning, told the Winter Park Times, “Colorado Gives Day is very impactful for our organization. Each year, the individual contributions we receive grows, which means the donation by the Community First Foundation grows. These donations are so important for our organization because they not only support us financially, but also infuse hope and energy into our organization simply by knowing so many people support us. This is so important, especially at this time of year when so many people are struggling to make it through the holidays – people our programs and services support”. Fanning added, “a donation not only supports us financially, it supports us emotionally, to help us better serve our community members”.

Another participating nonprofit, Headwaters Trails Alliance, is hoping to receive funds vital to the organization’s operation. “Besides feeling good about a contribution to your community that is partially matched by the Community First Foundation, a donation to Headwaters Trails Alliance is also a gift to yourself, especially if you are an avid trail user,” said HTA president, Meara McQuain.

Grand County’s participating nonprofits are counting on the generosity of our community this year. You don’t need to wait until December 10th to make a donation to your nonprofit(s) of choice, you can schedule it ahead of time. To find out more, visit coloradogives.org.