The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is leading a regional effort to increase participation during Colorado Gives Day, on Dec. 5, through an online initiative that allows donors to contribute to nonprofits in the state.
The regional platform, www.swcogives.org, was created to host participating nonprofits in La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta and San Juan counties.
To raise awareness to Colorado Gives Day, on the National Day of Giving, representatives from local nonprofits gathered for a photo at the new Cortez sign.
Habitat for Humanity of Montezuma County, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Medicine Horse Center and the Dolores River Boating Advocates were present at the gathering. Other participants in the regional platform include CASA of the Southwest, Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores, Hospice of Montezuma and the Piñon Project.
“It is a statewide thing, but we’ve noticed that a lot of people aren’t aware that it is a thing, so we are trying to drum up additional local response to bring attention to all the good work that we do,” Molly Greenlee, director at Habitat for Humanity, said.
According to Paul Maddex, director of marketing and sales of Crow Canyon, his organization is asking donors to wait until Dec. 5.
“The idea is to kind of get it going and start to create awareness in this area of Southwest Colorado,” Maddex said.
Lynne Howarth, of the Medicine Horse Center in Mancos, hopes to raise funds for scholarships for the “underserved” population of Colorado.
The Dolores River Boating Advocates aim to raise awareness of their January event, a “permit party,” according to founding board member Wade Hanson.
Colorado Giving Day is organized by the Community First Foundation in Arvada, which offers a statewide platform, www.coloradogives.org, that includes nearly 3,000 Colorado nonprofits. Last year, statewide donations during Colorado Gives Day totaled $33.8 million, and $143,595 went to nonprofits in Southwest Colorado. Recent findings show Colorado ranked 26th on a list of 2017’s Most Charitable States.
For more information, call 970-375-5807 or visit www.swcommunityfoundation.org.
