May 2009 e-Community

Dear Friends,

Each year Community Shares gathers our member agencies, corporate partners, donors, and friends for an uplifting event called the Summer Celebration. We highlight and honor people and businesses who contribute to the local culture of giving. From the largest Colorado companies to the unsung heroes, it is our opportunity to say thank you. This year we are excited to have this opportunity to celebrate those who have stepped forward in challenging times and lead through generosity. The energy in the room each year at the Summer Celebration is inspiring. There is nothing greater than a room full of people celebrating what we can accomplish when we work together! I hope to see you there!


Thanks and regards,




Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Celebrating the Everyday Philanthropist

+ I hope to see you for our annual Summer Celebration on June 3. Shareholders from across Colorado will gather in celebration of our collective efforts to make our community a better place!

+ The theme of this year's celebration is, "Celebrating the Everyday Philanthropist."

+ We should all take pride in the fact that we're a part of Community Shares. For 23 years Community Shares has stood steadfastly for choice in giving and grassroots, ground-up community change. We get everyone together once a year to celebrate this. Join us!

+ Every single day philanthropists all over Colorado make decisions which help shape and build our community. Giving back has many different forms but whether you give with your time, your talent, or your dollars you are most definitely a part of the solution.

+ I'm fast approaching my one year anniversary as a member of the Community Shares' staff. I don't have the organizational knowledge to tell you the very best year in our history, but I'd not hesitate to at least nominate 2008.

+ Why, you ask?

+ Giving back is always an inspiring and unselfish act, but giving back in the face of extreme uncertainty takes wisdom and guts. During tough times there is in increased strain on the community and the nonprofits who make it their mission to help. Giving when you yourself are feeling the pinch in incredibly insightful. This year Shareholders stepped up when they were needed most.

+ Our decisions define who we are, and I can think of nothing more commendable or more worthy of a celebration.

+ So, Bee Positive and join us for an evening of friends, food, and philanthropy! We'll tip our hats and raise our glasses to those with mettle. The evening promises to be a ton of fun as we put a close to the year and celebrate our successes.

+ You never stopped believing in our work, and we never stopped believing in you. Thanks for all your support!

+ See you there!

Jason Manke
Communications Manager
Write me

e-Community April 2009

Dear Friends,

A year ago when I became CEO of Community Shares I wrote a letter to many of our longtime supporters. I shared with them that the first thing I did after moving into my new office was to write the following quote where I could see it each day: "What would you attempt to do if you could not fail?"

I chose to write the quote on the dry erase board where I track my tasks, to-do list, and ideas for the future. It reminds me to ask myself what I would do if there were no challenges - and then do that very thing in spite of them. By starting at the finish line, I can track backward and make a plan to tackle each obstacle in proportion. Rather than take on the full burden and enormity of the challenge, each step reveals its bearable weight and achievable task. Accomplishing even the smallest victories along the way builds our mettle, motivation, and momentum for when it comes time to face the big challenges.

Last month Community Shares of Colorado was awarded a $12,500 Challenge Grant by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. Thanks to you, we recently achieved last year's $10,000 challenge grant goal several months ahead of schedule. Our allies at the fund were impressed that we had the confidence to increase our challenge grant goal while others are lowering their expectations.

Taking on this challenge is exactly what we would attempt to do if we knew we could not fail! We considered our community of donors, the essential work of our nonprofit member agencies, and the efficiencies Community Shares produces in generating $10 in additional gifts to Colorado nonprofits for every $1 we spend on the giving campaign. In partnership with you, we know we have the mettle, motivation, and momentum to achieve our goal.

Thanks and regards,


Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Community Shares Finishes at the top of the Colorado Combined Campaign!

The Colorado Combined Campaign sent out results last week and Community Shares of Colorado was the top fund designated by the generous state employees. Our member agencies received $279,450 in pledges, a 3% increase over last year. We attribute the support to our geographic reach and funding area diversity. We are very thankful to the Colorado Combined Campaign donors who generously stepped forward to contribute when our member agencies need them most!

Precious Mettle: Taking Charge of Your Community

+ Mettle: Fortitude, Vigor. People of great disposition, temperament, and strength.

+ I was recently inspired by an article I read online about a group of determined and capable citizens in Hawaii. Eager to build a new bridge, and tired of waiting, these folks took the bull by the horns and accomplished a $4 million project themselves. Click here to read this article.

+ This article struck a cord with me and made me think of all of the nonprofit agencies in Colorado who year after year do more with less.

+ It made me think of the thousands of Coloradans who give each year through their workplaces and who stared a scary 2008 square in the face and cast their vote for a better community.

Did you know:
Over 5,000 Coloradans contributed to Community Shares nonprofits in 2008!

+ It made me think that the most powerful tool we have as citizens is our choice to make a difference.

+ Come together! You didn't think I'd leave a Beatle's reference out, did you?!

+ Community Shares received some great news this week. We were the #1 designated workplace giving federation in the Colorado State campaign in 2008! We voted together for a better Colorado.

+ Didn't somebody once say that life is about 10% what happens and 90% how you deal with it? Maybe Lou Holtz? You all are a pretty good example.

+ When reading the article above about building the bridge one can't help but feel empowered. When faced with a challenge these folks realized that change was up to them and took the reins.

+ Change is completely our choice.

+ This is the spirit Community Shares wants to give all Coloradans. We don't have to settle for anything, and are in complete control over our community.

+ "When the going gets tough...get going."

+ I was at a slideshow recently and was reminded of an ancient Persian Proverb:

When it is Dark,
You can see the stars.

+ How lovely.

+ Community Shareholders are men and women of mettle and will no doubt light the way for the rest to follow.

Bee Positive!

Shareholder Jason,
Jason Manke
Communications Manager
Community Shares of Colorado
Write me

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"Thanks For Sharing" Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations to the three winners of the 2008 Community Shares "Thanks for Sharing" give-away contest! Sponsored by Fast Enterprises, this drawing was open in the fall of 2008 to those who attended a workplace giving information session and filled out an entry form.

This Year's Winners Are:

• Judy Scott of the City and County of Broomfield was rewarded with the Grand Prize $500 American Express Gift Card for her commitment to Colorado nonprofits in 2008. Maybe a little luck, but mostly excellent karma.
  
• Linda Bishop of Adams County Government is made of mettle and was happy to receive the Runner Up prize of a $250 American Express Gift Card.
  
• Merida Carmona of CSC Member Clinica Tepayac showed strong philanthropic fortitude in 2008 and received a $250 American Express Gift Card for her goodwill.

Congrats to these three extraordinary shareholders!

You Ask, Community Shares

As your proud partner in philanthropy, we are happy to answer your questions about community investment. In our new column, You Ask, Community Shares, we will answer the questions we are asked frequently.

Have a question about philanthropy? Email Shareholder Jason or post a comment to our blog.

In the last e-community we asked you to vote on a new name for the nonprofit sector. The options to choose from were:

• Social Benefit Organization (SBO)
• Social Profit Business (SPB)
• Community Investment Organization (CIO)
• Social Investment Organization (SIO)
• Community Owned Business (COB)

In the end Community Investment Organization narrowly edged out Social Benefit Organization 43-35 percent. Social Investment Organization was next at 14% followed by COB and SPB. Thanks to all who participated!