December 2008 e-Community

Dear Friends,

For those of you in Colorado, the snowfall makes it a great day for me to write and wish you happy holidays! I must say, as 2008 comes to a close, the season of giving has a different feel. The last quarter of this year unleashed a litany of economic disappointments that have left many of us feeling unsure of what we have and who we should trust with our dollars. At Community Shares, we recognize every gift is meaningful and personally significant. Our four guiding principles are choice in giving, local significance, membership diversity, and financial credibility and clarity. We are your partner in philanthropy and use your dollars wisely and gratefully.

As CEO of Community Shares, I am proud to partner with 112 effective and innovative Colorado nonprofit organizations. As we roll into 2009, we are implementing new Membership Excellence Standards in partnership with our nonprofit organizations. While we have always vetted our nonprofit member agencies, we will be able to give you even more information about how our member agencies are using your dollars. To create the Membership Excellence Standards, we have synthesized guidelines from the Colorado Nonprofit Association's Principles and Practices Guide, the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, the IRS, and Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector. We will work in partnership with our members to tell you more stories of their success.

During this season of giving, please consider Community Shares and our member agencies as worthy recipients of your support. For people trying to stretch their giving dollars, this newsletter highlights gifts that give twice. If you are budgeting for how to buy gifts for friends and family and still make charitable holiday gifts, these suggestions will help you double your impact without doubling your expenses. Choosing these gifts allows you to cross off items from your shopping and sharing lists!

My thanks for all you've shared with us in 2008. Best wishes for a hopeful holiday season and a brave new year!

Best,


Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Share

10 Gifts That Give Twice

1. Double your gift today! Any new and increased gifts to Community Shares will be matched dollar for dollar from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. Make a $25 donation in honor of a friend or family member and it will have a $50 impact! Make your gift here.
   
2. Businesses - Instead of sending your customers a box of chocolates, make a gift to a nonprofit in their name. Community Shares will provide you with an insert for your notice. Last year, Colorado Capital Bank made a $2,000 donation to our Shares Fund in honor of their customers. This December, CoBiz Insurance is making a $1,500 gift to the Partnership for Colorado in honor of their clients. Contact Alyssa for more information about making your corporate gift a reflection of your community values.
   
3. Many nonprofit organizations derive revenue from products made by their clients. You can give a great gift while supporting a worthy cause. Shop with a purpose today!
   
4. For those who order gifts on Amazon.com, use the Community Shares' link. Amazon will donate a percentage of sales to Community Shares when their site is accessed from our link. It's an easy way to give back and you can use the CSC link any time you shop on Amazon throughout the year.
   
5. Workplace giving through paycheck deduction typically enables people to give 40% more than they can through a one-time gift. Instead of writing a $50 check to your favorite charity, make a pledge to give $5 each paycheck and watch your giving total double. If you don't have campaign at your workplace, sign up for a monthly deduction of as little as $5 from your checking account. Download the form here.
   
6. Give yourself a gift you will receive when you file your 2008 taxes. Make your tax-deductible gift to Community Shares or any of our 112 member agencies today and apply the write-off in 2009.
7. Get that holiday Poinsettia, anniversary, and birthday plants or flowers and support Community Shares at thinkflowers.com. When you use this link, Community Shares receives $5 for every purchase.
   
8. You can even contribute while you surf the web. Choose "Community Shares - Colorado" under GoodSearch and GoodShop. There are lots of online stores to choose from that benefit Community Shares.
9. Check out our CShares merchandise and show your support.
10. Know anyone getting a new car for the holidays? They can donate their old car to benefit Community Shares - www.carsforcharity.net.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

+ On behalf of the entire Community Shares community we wish you a happy and safe holiday season. As we flip the calendar on 2008 we ask you to consider the following opportunities as you prepare for your holiday of choice.

+ Many of our nonprofit partners have made it easy for you to pick up presents for loved ones and give a little back at no extra cost. Click here to check out the shopping list.

+ Reading through these opportunities makes me smile at the tremendously creative and resourceful Colorado community of nonprofit organizations. They do more with less better than just about anyone else. If you've not yet found a nonprofit which echoes your interests and values, we certainly invite you to do so here. Also, see the list of our member agencies here.

+ The end of the tax year approacheth! Remember that your donations are deductible (including payroll deductions)! But you must make a gift before the clock strikes midnight on the 31st! Visit our website here to make an easy and secure gift.

+ In 2007-08 Community Shares had another fantastic year raising over $1.5 million for the Colorado community and our 112 nonprofit partners. That is no small amount and is the reflection of just under $1 per day from our connected and loyal community. We are truly grateful and owe it all to you.

+Through incremental giving Community Shares has generated better than $14 million for the community since our humble beginnings as the Alternative Fund in 1986.

+ We continually remind our community that incremental giving makes a monumental difference. During the tough times that accompany this particular holiday remember that microgiving can make a huge difference. Click here to learn more about using microgiving as a strategy for success.

+ As we make our way through the Holiday fray, remember to be thankful for what you have and that your mood will help shape the collective psyche of 2009. Be a part of the solution and Bee Positive!

+ Community Shares starts with you. Best wishes to you and yours and we'll see you on the flip side of '08. Thank you for your past and future support and expect big things from Community Shares in 2009!

Most sincerely,

Shareholder Jason Manke
Communications Manager

Community Shares Holiday Shopping List

Many Community Shares nonprofits partner with local stores and restaurants. All you have to do is shop and gifts will be made to the community on your behalf.

• Senior Housing Options has partnered with Poppies Restaurant and 20% of your meal total will be donated to SHO!
• Big City Mountaineers (one of Cshares 2008 Momentum Award winners) has partnered with The North Face Store in Cherry Creek for a movie night and silent auction. Chill with a free beer, brat and take in some sick mountain footage while supporting young Denver mountaineers.
• Looking for a unique gift this holiday? Willow, an Artisan's Market located in Boulder and Littleton is having showings and receptions to showcase birdhouses decorated by local artists. The proceeds of each sale go to Flatirons or Denver Metro Habitat for Humanity.
• Pick up some discounted music at the Trust the Dust event for KGNU community radio tomorrow. See www.kgnu.org.
• The Gathering Place was recently named Whole Foods (Cherry Creek and Capitol Hill) recipients of their Grab and Give program. Until January 1st when you shop at Whole Foods shoppers can purchase a pre-packaged meal designed to feed a family of four, and add it to their bill. $5 and $10 bags of breakfast, lunch, or dinner are available.
  

Several of our nonprofit partners offer merchandise that you can pick up as gifts:

• Women's Bean Project is having their Holiday sale this weekend the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Visit www.womensbeanproject.org for more info and to see their cool merchandise.
• Pick up Earthlinks Greenfingers products at the Lakewood Cultural Center and other locations. See www.earthlinks-colorado.org for more information
• Give a Giving Card from the Kempe Center, please click here.
• Volunteer Connection is currently selling Note Cards - $12.00 for 8 Notecards, 2 designs of their "I Volunteer!" Day artwork by Harriet Peck Taylor. www.volunteerconnection.net