The Shareholder

2009-2010 Campaign Kickoff!

2009-10-22T12:47:00.002-06:00

When you hold a dollar bill in your hand, do you see a million dollar difference?

Last year, with an average gift of $1 dollar a day, Community Shares received nearly $1.5 million in workplace giving pledges. A paycheck contribution gift of $1 a day - $5 each week - adds up to a $260 donation to the charities and causes you care about most.

At Community Shares, we know the value of your hard-earned dollars and provide you with the financial clarity you deserve. Not only do we know many of our donors make real sacrifices to invest in our community, we also know how efficiently our member agencies' use those dollars to deliver services. When we say "every dollar makes a difference" it's more than a campaign slogan - it's the Community Shares promise.

The majority of our workplace giving campaigns kick off in October and we are counting on you to be a part of our giving community and invest in the welfare of our friends and neighbors when they need us most.

When we hold a dollar bill in our hands, we see a million dollar difference. Share our vision and support Community Shares of Colorado this fall.

In Partnership,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Our goal this fall is to raise $1.5 million for our member nonprofits through incremental giving campaigns at Colorado workplaces and through online giving drives. We know we can't do this alone and we are asking you to become an active part of our giving community. The next three boxes are our call to action to you:
Believe in $1 a Day, Becoming a Giving Ambassador, and Make a Million Dollar Difference.

Believe in $1 a Day

2009-10-22T12:45:00.003-06:00

+ To start the Community Giving Campaign this year we want you to hold a $1 bill in your hand. We're serious - reach into your pocket, find a dollar bill, and ask yourself if you believe that $1 a day can make a million dollar difference.

+ Our average gift at Community Shares really is $1 a day. It's not a slogan or abstract, fancy math - it's what really happens each year. Your dollar, my dollar, his dollar, her dollar - it all adds up and together we come together to invest more than $1.5 million in Colorado nonprofits.

+ If you look at our end results - the $1.5 million we raise annually for nonprofit organizations or the $15 million we've raised for Colorado - you can lose perspective of how we get there.

+ At Community Shares, we never forget that we get there $1 at a time, one person at a time. We see each of you and the difference you make. Your dollar counts at Community Shares.

+ To kick off the 2009 campaign, hold a dollar bill in your hand and start believing in the power of incremental giving!

Become a Giving Ambassador

+ The actions of a few often inspire many! Giving is contagious and the greatest good you can contribute to your cause is showing your enthusiasm for it!

+ If giving means a lot to you, spread that message! We can help!

+ This year we are recruiting a karma army of Giving Ambassadors. As a Giving Ambassador you can help by:

Hanging a Community Shares '$1 a Day' poster on a wall in your workspace

Wearing a Community Shares $1 a Day' button on your shirt, coat, or bag

Talking to one new person about your favorite cause

Starting a giving campaign at your workplace

+ Sign up to be a Giving Ambassador today and we'll send you a packet to promote giving this fall.

Make A Million Dollar Difference

+ One of our absolute favorite stories comes from last year's Community Giving Campaign. It perfectly illustrates the power of incremental giving.

+ Our nonprofit member agencies run workplace giving campaigns just like so many companies in Colorado. During the 2008-2009 campaign 185 nonprofit employees chose to participate. Their total gift at the end of the campaign was a little over $45,000!

+ While the number seems shockingly high, it actually averages out to $1 a day - $5 a week - $260 a year.

+ An avalanche begins with a single snowflake

+ Everyone can give if they are just asked. The #1 reason people say they didn't give to charity is not because they couldn't afford to give - it's because no one asked them.

+ Start a giving campaign at your workplace. No company is too small and $1 a day makes a difference.

+ Our member agencies prove that we can all be a part of achieving our goal of $1.5 million in giving.

+ Share our vision and help us make a million dollar difference this fall!

August 2009 e-Community

2009-10-22T12:45:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends,

Before coming to Community Shares of Colorado, I worked in the Family Reunification Program for the Denver Department of Human Service. The City of Denver runs a tremendous giving campaign annually called the Denver Employees' Combined Campaign. At a staff meeting, I was introduced to the campaign succinctly, "This is the employee giving campaign. You don't have to do it." With that call to action, it became just one more pile of papers I could file away.

Later that afternoon my coworker Vicki took a few seconds to be a giving ambassador. She said to me, "Can I tell you a little bit more about the giving campaign? I think it's a great program. I can give as little as $5 a paycheck and it adds up to make a big difference. I choose to give to Denver Dumb Friends League because that's where I adopted my dog but you can give to any charity you want. Take a few minutes to look and see if you would like to give." Those five sentences - no guilt or pressure involved - changed my outlook on the campaign and I picked up a pen and made a donation.

This year, we are making a special effort to partner with more Giving Ambassadors like Vicki. Sign up to be an ambassador and be a special part of our 2009 Giving Campaign. While the person you talk to may not become the CEO of a workplace giving fund (the job is taken, thank you!), you may inspire a new donor. Be a Giving Ambassador and help us spread the word that every dollar makes a difference at Community Shares of Colorado.

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

PS If you thought the story was too good to be true, notice Vicki chose a nonprofit that isn't a Community Shares member agency. If Vicki had given to The Gathering Place, that story would be on a bronze plaque on my door!

Become a Community Shares Giving Ambassador!

2009-10-22T12:43:00.002-06:00

+ Over the next 4 months Community Shares will reach over 200,000 employees through out Colorado to ask them to come together to ensure those most in need in our community are given access to hot meals and warm beds; the lives of domestic and wild animals are protected and improved; a louder voice is given to social justice causes and the arts; and our natural resources are preserved for future generations. We call this initiative the annual Community Giving Campaign.

+ The campaign is an effort to reach a mass of people, but is at its core, all about the impact that each of us can individually have on our neighbor, our environment, our community. $1 a day.

+ Giving is contagious. The enthusiasm of one person can have a profound impact on others. During this year's 2009-10 giving campaign we hope you'll:

+ make a personal commitment to be a part of the solution,
+ ask others in your personal network to give,
+ share your favorite cause or nonprofit with your team,
+ forward nonprofit newsletters, and

+ More specifically, we hope you'll become a Community Shares Giving Ambassador.

+ It's easy, it's fun, and all you have to do is talk about what matters to you. Send us an email. We'll send you a 2009-10 Ambassador Toolkit (along with some fun free stuff) so that you can encourage others with expertise and style! You'll also receive exclusive e-newsletters which will leave you feeling well-versed and engaged, as well as invitations to visit some of our innovative nonprofits and see their changemaking power at work!

+ Click Here to become a Giving Ambassador for Community Shares. Send this email to our Community Giving Manager, Erin Atwell, along with your Name, Company, and contact information.

+ Talking to just one of your friends about your favorite cause, nonprofit, or this great state is all you need to do. Whether you do it once, twice, or more is up to you, but the ripple in the pond moves further and faster than you can imagine.

The extraordinary results of many are often preceded by
the outstanding efforts of a few.

Be the Spark,

Jason Manke
Communications Manager
Contact me here

Erin Atwell
Community Giving Manager
Contact me here

e-Community July 2009

2009-07-23T14:26:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends,

As we hit the middle of the summer we wanted to share a list of 21 great ways to enjoy Colorado. Our 113 member agencies not only do great work, they also often have opportunities for you to roll your sleeves up and have fun building a better Colorado. For a night out on the town, consider skipping the dinner and a movie and putting your money where your heart is at a fundraising event with a special emphasis on fun. As you can see from the variety of activities on the list, our member agencies can provide something for everyone.

The list you see below is also available on our blog, the Community Shareholder. Bookmark the page so you can come back to these great ideas the next time you ask yourself the question, "What should we do for fun this weekend?" If you do a volunteer project with a member agency, be sure to share photos and tips on our blog as well. We love it when our community shares!

Enjoy your summer and don't forget that volunteering is a great way to connect with the charities and causes you care about most

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Great Ideas For Midsummer Fun

2009-07-23T14:25:00.000-06:00

+ Today marks the one-month mark of summer. Community Shares' Member Agencies offer an incredible opportunity for summer fun. Here is your annual Community Shares Summer Guide to the charities and causes you care about most. These opportunities and more articles from e-Community's past can be found on the Shareholder Blog.

+ For all you animal lovers out there, there are several member agencies which promote the welfare of animals both big and small. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is an extraordinary place to learn more about the more exotic carnivores. Because of the summer heat, many of the animals are active at night. The Wild Nights Program allows you to observe tigers, lions, wolves and other animals..

+ Cat Care Society (CCS) has a great virtual tour of their cageless center online. Additionally, CCS is currently putting together a 2010 calendar. Submit a photo of your cat for a feature spot in the calendar.

+ If you can't get enough music and theatre during the summer then check out the new project of the Rocky Mountain Arts Association. Their Gravity Defied Theatre is Colorado's first charitably focused community theatre. Get your tickets today.

+ Su Teatro is hosting their 13th annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction, August 5-9. For more information, visit www.suteatro.org or call (303) 296-0219.

+ VSA Arts of Colorado's Access Gallery will be on display for the First Friday Art Walk hosted by the Santa Fe Art District.

+ Beat the summer heat and get up to the mountains for cooler weather and equally cool music. KVNF has a full summer schedule of music in the mountains. Join them at the Crested Butte Music Festival which takes place through July 26th. Visit their calendar here for a full list of events.

+ KUVO's Blues at the Vineyard takes place Saturday, August 8th at Balestreri Vineyards. This signature annual event comes complete with a wine tasting, great music, and gourmet food.

+ For those who can't get enough of Colorful Colorado, checkout these great opportunities!

+ Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado has a great website where you can connect to projects in your area or interest. Volunteer Outdoors has the perfect way to give back and get outside!

+ Bicycle Colorado has found a unique and super fun way to connect and educate others about the 2009 Bicycle Safety Act. Host a Pedal Party!

+ If protecting trails and open space is your thing then consider the "Gala in the Garden" event on August 7th. Hosted by the Trails and Open Space Coalition, this event benefits trails, bikeways, rural land and open space in the Pikes Peak area around Colorado Springs.

+ Summer is a great time to help build community. Literally. Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver and Boulder Valley (Flatirons) have excellent volunteer experiences. This is a great way to meet others and work outside to help build a new beginning for a family.

+ Be sure to checkout the Kempe Foundation's "Salt on the Rim" event on August 1st. This annual event is a fundraiser to help fight child abuse.

+ And finally, even though this event falls outside of the technical definition of summer, I thought it was so cool that I wanted to share it with you. Earthlinks Inc. has put together another event in support of their innovative mission to connect low-income and homeless people with nature.

Have you heard about the recent plight of the honey bee? 60 Minutes did a report about it last year. Building a Bee Box is a great way to get your hands dirty, get creative and support a vital Colorado cause and organization.

Have a tremendous summer,

Jason Manke
Communications Manager &
Philanthropy Fanatic

Contact me here

2009 Summer Celebration - Just What We Always Wanted

2009-07-23T14:23:00.001-06:00

Those who were in attendance at the 2009 Summer Celebration had a chance to see firsthand the impact and passion of Community Shares. Alyssa Kopf, our CEO, had a chance to tell us all what this year meant to Colorado Philanthropy.

"Each of your gifts and contributions to Community Shares are just what we always wanted. Every dollar, every small choice, every decision to be brave enough to share. They've come together to form this grateful organization, to fill this room with celebration, and to build a more hopeful Colorado.

Join me tonight in celebrating all that we have and all that you've shared with us this last year. Push back any uncertainties and celebrate our abundance. Because we are here, we are united, and together, we are so much bigger than ourselves."

Nary a dry eye was left in the packed house of 300+ Community Shareholders. While Alyssa's words (full transcript) put the ceremonial bookends on a year we'll not soon forget the message of Community Shares will continue to stand for community driven philanthropy. Thank you all for a great 2008 giving campaign. Have a look at the event slideshow by clicking here.

2009 Award Winners

2009-07-23T14:22:00.002-06:00

2009 Award Winners

Community Giving Campaigns of the Year

Community Shares is the sum total of many parts. Three incredible organizations were honored this year for their commitment to workplace giving.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the first consecutive Campaign of the Year winner in CShares history. This year NREL employees pledged more than $182,000 to the charities and causes they care about most - increasing giving and participation by 27% from the previous year. NREL employees designated more than $65,000 to Community Shares member agencies.

In a difficult year, the Kroenke Sports Giving Campaign increased employee participation by 20%! It was the continued support from the executive committee and their encouraging communication with employees that made this campaign a success!

This year, in an effort to be more environmentally friendly and reduce paper, the district offered their first electronic giving campaign using Community Shares' online giving system. This proved to be a fantastic success with 63% of donations pledged online. The campaign saw a 15% increase in giving from the previous year.

Community Leader of the Year

The woman recognized helped inspire more than $12 million dollars in individual gifts over the past four years. You would think everyone would know the name of a $12 million dollar philanthropist! However, she has done this by making good, small decisions day after day proving that incremental giving makes a monumental difference.

LaVerne Kyriss who works for the Western Area Power Administration, has been a leader in the Combined Federal Campaign of Metro Denver for many years, serving as the Co-Chair of the Cabinet for the last four. LaVerne volunteers her time to make sure that metro Denver federal employees know of all the options they have in workplace giving.

Volunteer of the Year

Amanda Fein is a member of the Community Shares of Colorado board of directors, serves as board treasurer, and chairs our audit committee. Amanda provides exemplary support for our organization by sharing her time, talent, and treasures with Community Shares.

Amanda plays a leadership role with many nonprofit organizations including sitting on the fundraising committee for The Delores Project, the event committee for National Jewish Hospital's Cocktails and Karaoke, the Young Philanthropist Foundation's Youth Advisory Board Committee, she is a partner with Social Venture Partners, volunteers for the Christian Action Guild's Food Bank, sits on the Children's Garden Silent Auction Committee, is a volunteer and past judge for Young Americans Education Foundation and Financial Center, and was the 9 News Health Fair volunteer for the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition.

No one knows how she does all of this....its a mystery, but we think she might be able to stop time.

Steve Graham Memorial Scholarship

Bonnie Starr Mandell-Rice volunteers for two organizations within the Community Shares family of member nonprofits, both the Wolf Sanctuary and the Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Bonnie has a passion for animal rights and philanthropy, which shines true in her dedication for many nonprofits in Colorado. As a volunteer for Wolf, Bonnie attends all of the Community Shares of Colorado meetings to represent Wolf, which both keeps the Sanctuary up to date and saves on-site staff countless hours of travel time. She speaks on behalf of the organization at events and volunteers at public outreach events to broaden Wolf's educational mission.

Congratulations to Bonnie for being a shining example of philanthropy.

Raise Your Paddle!

Together we are so much bigger than we are alone. Last Wednesday night each Shareholder in attendance was asked to give at a level comfortable to them. Our goal was $7,500 and we're almost there. If you'd like to participate in this effort please click your virtual paddle to the right. All gifts are welcome and significant.

Leading from Below

2009-07-10T10:03:00.002-06:00

This was an op-ed piece I put together in 2008 with advice for young professionals seeking to move into leadership positions.

Leading From Below

How can you lead before you become “The Leader”? I encourage young professionals to look for opportunities to “lead from below” while they prepare to take large leaps in their official titles and scope of responsibilities. Developing core leadership skills such as vision, influence, effectiveness, and accountability require you to take on challenges and produce results.

In today’s workforce culture, we are rapidly moving beyond the top-down “chairman” model as managers seek opportunities to create an empowered team. The value of raw talent is rapidly increasing in the entrepreneurial business culture. This is a great time to lead from below – while the weight of experience does not trump good ideas.

Young nonprofit leaders especially need to look for opportunities to lead before they become “The Leader.” Due to relatively flat management structures, young people need to seek and create their own leadership ladder.

Pick Your Victories
People on their way up are often told to “pick their battles”. However, a person seeking to establish a leadership role should spend more time carefully picking their victories. Seek out leadership opportunities on problems that are more than one-time fixes. Consider if taking a role in a project will lead to you being included in future discussions related to your organization’s core business.

Stop Critiquing, Start Contributing
Before you point out inadequacies in your organization’s operations, consider your supervisors are likely aware of this weakness. If something is not going right, it is often because the organization does not have the capacity to improve it – financial capacity, human resource capacity, or leadership capacity. The first few times you point out a weakness, it will be a positive because it shows you understand the issue. If you continue to point out weaknesses without providing solutions it actually can expose you as someone who cannot lead change or consider the big picture ramifications of operational changes.

Focus on offering solutions within reach of your organization’s capacity. (Don’t forget to do the research needed to make your case and know the costs and benefits.) This may be the most important opportunity to demonstrate your potential as a leader. Providing solutions demonstrates the difference between an employee who can critique and an employee who is willing to contribute and be accountable.

Multiple Mentors
It is invaluable to have someone you can call who has the experience you are still developing as a young professional. Rather than having a single go-to person, seek out people with specific talents and experience you admire. Instead of asking someone to be your 360° mentor, consider contacting several people with specific requests. e.g., “I am impressed with how you launched your new program. Can we meet so I can learn more about how you started your planning process?”

Not only will this expand your support circle, you will be able to identify the best examples of what you value as a leader as you build your unique vision. Also, those leaders who represent the “complete package” are likely asked by many people to serve as a mentor. They might not have time to sign on for broad support and ongoing meetings but they will likely agree to be a sounding board for specific questions.

Read Other People’s Résumés
It is likely you are underestimating your leadership responsibilities and successes. Many people send out their résumés and ask others to give feedback. When I am preparing to update my résumé, I send out a call for people I respect to send me their résumé so I can learn how they present their skills and experience. Instead of doing a cursory update utilizing the always-helpful thesaurus to find another word for “achieved”, I want to learn how other people effectively make their case for consideration.

At the same time, when you have others review your résumé be sure to seek out people who have a strong knowledge your achievements to date and those with insight into the prospective industry. If you are switching careers or into a new field, seek someone within the new field to read your résumé. If you are in marketing and seeking a job in development, it will be more effective to have someone who evaluates fundraising résumés give you feedback than a friend who knows your existing skill set. Seek out someone who has hired a similar position and ask what they look for and what jumps out as a key skill or experience. This is not an uncommon practice – I am sent a few resume each month to scan and offer feedback.

What does résumé review have to do with leading from below? You will learn what skill areas you need to fill in on your résumé to get the job you want.

Complete a Leadership Course or Volunteer in a Leadership Position
There are many leadership courses in Denver and many nonprofit organizations could benefit from your contributions. You can complete fellowships with CILT (Colorado Institute for Leadership Training) or the Center for Progressive Leadership. Leadership programs are available through the Denver Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Community Resource Center, The Denver Foundation, the Denver Metro Leadership Foundation, Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce. If you are on a board of directors or planning committee, step up and offer to lead. While some opportunities may be more relevant to your career path than others, the very action of seeking leadership development indicates you take your professional success seriously.

When I see a résumé that includes actively seeking leadership experience, it indicates drive and I flag the candidate. When I see the words, “Chaired Fundraising Committee and increased income by 47%,” I pick up the phone and schedule an interview.

Closing Thoughts
The private, public, and independent sectors are all abuzz with the “war for talent”. As an independent sector executive and a board member of the Denver Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, I am keenly interested in advocating for nonprofit organizations to increase their human resource capacity to keep talent in our industry.

Independent sector leaders must read, “Ready to Lead: Next Generation Leaders Speak Out”, a national study produced in partnership by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and Idealist.org. In the study, young nonprofit professionals identified three key negatives when considering taking an executive director or CEO position in the independent sector: frustration with pay and benefits packages, dissatisfaction with the current job description and responsibilities of a nonprofit leader, and lack of a career path to move into a leadership position.

When I started this article the mindset was focused on peer-to-peer mentoring between young professionals. Since that time, I have moved into the CEO position at Community Shares of Colorado. I would like to think being selected for a leadership role bolsters my insight into the steps young professionals can take to learn as they build their skills. Also, I will listen to what my younger colleagues voiced in “Ready to Lead” and build career path goals into my organization’s performance review process. I can’t say I was ready to lead the day I moved into the corner office, but I did have the advantage of my experience leading from below.

Alyssa Kopf, CEO
Community Shares of Colorado
alyssa@cshares.org
www.cshares.org

May 2009 e-Community

2009-06-09T18:22:00.001-06:00

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

2009-06-09T18:14:00.001-06:00

+ 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

2009-06-09T17:39:00.001-06:00

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!

2009-06-09T17:38:00.000-06:00

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

2009-06-09T17:35:00.002-06:00

+ 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

2009-06-09T17:34:00.000-06:00

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

2009-06-09T17:32:00.000-06:00

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!

e-Community March 2009

2009-03-12T12:01:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

I need your help. I work in an industry that defines itself by the one thing we don't do - make a profit. Considering the word "profit" comes from Latin meaning "to make progress", the unfortunately named Nonprofit Sector is in serious need of a branding campaign.

Nonprofit is a tax status, not a description of our work. A nonprofit organization measures its success by the social benefit it generates - a profit that is shared by a community rather than a few business owners. Take a few seconds to take part in our poll. Help us re-brand the Nonprofit Sector by voting on a better name for our social profit businesses. Vote Now!

Thinking about nonprofit organizations in terms of the social profit they produce may help you decide how to invest your community giving dollars. I often ask myself, "If I invest in this organization, what is the social profit they will generate?" If the outcomes meet my expectations and fit with my priorities, I invest a portion of my social capital in their work.

When you invest in Community Shares, each dollar we spend on the Community Giving Campaign generates $10 in donations to other nonprofit organizations. So, the social profit of investing $100 in Community Shares is $1,000 in additional community investment. That sounds like progress to me.

Thanks and regards,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

You Ask, Community Shares

2009-03-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

Put Up Your Dukes! Do Nonprofits Fight For Donations?

2009-03-12T11:59:00.001-06:00

+ Is it true that nonprofits compete for donations?

+ This is an interesting question at an important time for nonprofit organizations.

+ Like any business, nonprofits compete, but the game isn't that clear cut. Instead of a competition between organizations it's an ongoing challenge to secure a portion of the dedicated social capital available to better the world around us.

+ Colorado has the most nonprofits per capita of any state in the U.S. At the same time, Coloradans earn 8% more income than the national average but contribute 8% less to charity. Colorado nonprofit organizations have a uniquely competitive funding environment.

+ Government entities, foundations, and corporations typically annually budget their investment in nonprofit organizations. The amount of dollars varies from year to year but once the limit is set the reality is that not all organizations will be funded.

+ Corporate America takes a leading role in community philanthropy. Amidst the drastic change in social mood, let's not forget that American companies contribute billions of dollars year-in and year-out in support of our communities.

+ Corporate giving has and will continue to decrease in 2009. Click here to read more about the void for a growing number of charities and service organizations.

+ Nonprofit organizations' other key partners, private and community foundations, have had their assets greatly reduced and have been forced to make tough decisions. However, some foundations have maintained or even increased their giving! Click here to read about Colorado foundations that are leading the way.

+ As the economy expands more dollars make their way to the social bottom line, but when the economy contracts the pool of fixed dollars decreases.

+ So, yes, to some extent there is competition for dollars in that each pot of funds has a limit.

+ However, you also must factor in a few elements that make the nonprofit sector unique and minimize competition.

+ Nonprofit organizations spend far less time competing over existing resources than they spend developing new resources. While the existing amount of social capital is finite, nonprofits are dedicated to reaching new donors, forging new partnerships, and finding innovative means to fund their work. Rather than competing for a slice of the pie, nonprofit organizations are fantastic pie makers.

+ Nonprofit organizations also cannot compete over one important resource - an inspired philanthropist. (aka YOU!) If you have a clear sense of your giving priorities and goals, it is likely you will increase giving by adding organizations rather than stopping gifts to one group to give to another. Each year individuals make up roughly 80% of the giving nationwide.

+ When social benefit is the goal, collaboration and cooperation is to the advantage of all parties. Community Shares is a great example of disparate organizations collaborating rather than competing. In the nonprofit sector there are many opportunities to form collaborations where everyone wins. (The nonprofit, funders, and clients.) We will likely see more groups combining efforts as social capital decreases.

+ Keep in mind, if the U.S. nonprofit sector were a nation it would be the 16th largest economy in the world! We have many strong business minds running nonprofit organizations and any competition that does exist spurs excellence and innovation. Organizations are stronger because of the need to secure social capital.

+ In the end, the vast majority of nonprofit organizations recognize our goals overlap and it is in our best interest to generate new social capital and grow the collective culture of giving rather than compete over what exists today.

-Share Holder Jason

Increase Your Social Capital

2009-03-12T11:58:00.000-06:00

+ By far the most important philanthropist is the individual household - you and yours. Each year individual philanthropists make up roughly 80% of the giving nationwide. Remember to pay yourself first this year and continue to make room for the charities and causes you care about most!

+ Are you interested in making a well-rounded gift to your community? Did you know that Community Shares has something called the Shares Fund which is made up of all 116 member organizations? Think of it as a diversified charity mutual fund which is distributed to the many causes that make a strong Colorado. This is a great way to make a whole scale community investment.

+ Keep the faith! As community shareholders we will light the way for the rest to follow! Thank you for all you do!

2008 Annual Report

2009-02-25T10:08:00.002-07:00

Dear Friends,

I hope this message finds you well. The February e-Community includes a link to our 2008 Annual Report. Please take a few minutes to read about the scope of our work and impact in the community. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive a hard copy report, please email your name and address to Courtney Calvin.

The annual report includes just a few of the faces from our giving community. From our donors and worksite partners to our member agencies and those they serve, everyone plays a special part in our work at Community Shares. Just as our incremental gifts add up to make a monumental difference, each person who chooses Community Shares as their partner in philanthropy adds to our changemaking power.

My thanks for your continued investment in our shared community.

Sincere regards,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

P.S. For every dollar we spent on the giving campaign in 2008, our community of donors invested more than $10 in Colorado nonprofit organizations. In these difficult economic times, your gift to Community Shares makes an exponential impact. Join our giving community by making a donation today!

e-Community January 2009

2009-02-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I was asked the dreaded question on January 2nd, "What is your New Year's resolution?" As usual, I cued an interested face and quickly turned the tables, "Tell me about yours!" I have a hard time with resolutions because I hate making promises I can't keep. When I give my word, I take it seriously. It's generally a good quality except when it prevents me from setting an intimidating stretch goal or committing to a challenge I may not achieve.

When I started as CEO of Community Shares, the first thing I did was write the following quote on my white board: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? When I am unsure of taking on a challenge on behalf of the organization, I look to the quote, make the commitment, and we work as a team to find a way to fulfill the promise.

Community Shares' mission is our unbreakable promise: We connect Coloradans to the charities and causes they care about most. In these times of economic turmoil, we have not scaled back our efforts. Our nonprofit agencies and those they serve especially need our support this year. Any setbacks or doubts fall second to our resolve to achieve our goals. Sometimes our resolutions are bigger than ourselves. Over the six years I've been with Community Shares, the most important thing I've learned is: when we work together, we cannot fail. In 2009, join Community Shares as we remain steady in our commitments, hopeful in our goals, and comforted knowing we are a part of a caring community.

Best,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Pay Yourself First in 2009

2009-02-25T10:00:00.002-07:00

+ Say it with me: "2009 is the year I finally (insert resolution here.") A New Year has arrived and with it the annual self-reflection. For many, the turn of the calendar signals hope and the vow to correct our vices and mistakes of the year gone by. I am no exception and I thought it appropriate to share my New Year's resolution with you.

+ 2008 was a big year for me. I changed jobs, witnessed a seismic shift in the economy, and watched as millions of Americans came together for change. The comprehensive picture that 2008 paints in my head leaves room for only one acceptable outcome in 2009 - "2009 is the year I pay myself first."

+ Pay Yourself First. When I was in college, a wise man (my Dad), told me that the key to saving and ultimately accumulating wealth was to pay yourself before you use your income to pay anything else. As smart as my Pop is, he didn't make it up - click here to find articles all over the web on this concept.

+ I literally break my budget down into two columns: income and expenses. Income is the sum of all wages, salaries, and profits which allow me to maintain my quality of life both now and in the future. Expenses refer to consumption. They are payments I make in exchange for goods and services.

+ Where does philanthropy fall given these definitions?

+ If I'm being honest, philanthropy used to fall on the expenses side of my budget, but in 2008 I began to reexamine this. Philanthropy really is self-fulfilling in many ways. By giving back to my community I really am paying myself first - I'm adding to my quality of life.

I profit from the feeling I get when I give back and the karma I rack up.

My home is located in the community our nonprofits serve. This effects my home value and my children's education.

I use local open-lands to recreate, relive stress, and exercise.

I save on the amount of taxes that I currently or will eventually pay, and donations to local nonprofits are an investment in infrastructure and long-term sustainability.

Need more evidence that charitable giving is not an expense? Just look at any charitable contribution letter. It will say clearly that, "No goods or services were received."

+ In short, by investing in my community I invest in myself.

+ In 2009 not only am I going to put savings first, I'm going to pay my community first too. I added a line item in the income portion of my budget for "Philanthropy." Many of you who engage in workplace giving are already doing this. Your donation is subtracted from your paycheck before it even gets to the bank. Since you never saw the extra money, you don't miss it.

+ I'm aware that what I give back to my community will return dividends many times over. What I learned in 2008 is that philanthropy is a central staple of my health and wellness and not just a luxury.

+ In 2009, I implore you to pay yourself first on both your financial and community balance sheets. In doing so I think you'll find that profitablity truly lies within.

(Click the quote below and sing it with me)

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." - The Beatles

+ As a Community Shareholder you'll no doubt light the way for the rest of us to follow.

Community Shareholder
Jason Manke

Write to me

December 2008 e-Community

2008-12-09T15:08:00.007-07:00

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

2008-12-09T15:08:00.005-07:00

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Check out our CShares merchandise and show your support.

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

2008-12-09T15:07:00.002-07:00

+ 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

2008-12-09T15:05:00.001-07:00

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

November 2008 e-Community

2008-11-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Happy Election Day! I must admit, I'm a civic participation geek who has worn her "I Voted!" sticker with glee on every Election Day since I turned 18. I empathize with people who prefer not to vote early or by mail because they feel the "I Voted!" sticker is the cherry on the top of their democracy sundae. If you haven't done so, get out there and vote and wear your sticker with a smile.

To combat what has been a depressing October filled with news of the turbulent economy and divisive political ads, the staff of Community Shares decided to introduce an Ambassadors of Positivity campaign. We started publicly recognizing each other when someone chooses to be positive instead of cynical, patient instead of sarcastic, or willing to reframe a problem as an opportunity. It has made a dramatic impact on the spirit of our office and added a lot of silly joy over small things. Like our giving campaigns, it's amazing how incremental attitude choices make a monumental difference on the people around us.

Studies show smiling increases people's Good Samaritan instinct to help others. (In other words, the next time you need help changing a flat tire, let those pearly whites shine!) I found a study that went a step further. The study set up two sets of two people to interact with 800 strangers. In half of the exchanges, they timed the interaction so the first confederate would smile at someone and 1-2 seconds later a second confederate would drop a stack of computer disks. People who were exposed to a smile seconds before were 10% more likely to stop and help the person in need.

I love the idea of transferable smiles! At Community Shares, we ask you to partner with us to invest in building a stronger community. This week, let's all try to up the investment with a few smiles. Thanks to the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, every new or increased gift to Community Shares will be matched dollar for dollar. For the month of November, please note the staff of Community Shares will also be matching all smiles, grin for grin.

Best,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

PS: Thanks to our lean operations and the match from the Gay & Lesbian Fund a $10 gift can generate $200 in giving campaign donations. Make a Gift Today!

Giving is Contagious

2008-11-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

The vast majority of our workplace giving campaigns are running right now. Bring some positive energy to your giving campaign. Here are three easy ways to make giving fun and contagious.

1. A 2005 study disputed the idea that success makes people happy - instead, it turns out that happy people are more likely to be successful. Happy people are easier to work with, more highly motivated, and more willing to tackle a difficult project - all of which lead them to be successful. If you view running your campaign as a great opportunity to increase community investment and bring that positive attitude into your campaign it will change the dynamics of your campaign and boost success.

2. Share success stories. We have many inspiring stories from our member agencies that point out how a few dollars can make an amazing impact. Email Erin Atwell to request positive stories to share with your co-workers.

3. Deliver each pledge form with a smile. It's a free, easy, and effective way to increase a person's likelihood to give.

Bee Positive - Social Mood Drives Social Change

2008-11-04T11:55:00.013-07:00

+ If the election process can be described as the quintessential American Roadtrip then I'm the kid in the backseat asking, "Are we there yet?"

+ After an October to forget all eyes are now focused on an election to remember. Mindshare has been crowded for months, fatigue is setting in, and societal acrimony is simmering on the hot collective stovetop.

+ I'm begging for Serenity Now!

+ Thank goodness for Halloween which ironically enough provided a little bit of normalcy to a crazy fall. Mini shareholders hit the streets in search of sugar and we could all open our doors and share with the neighbors.

+ The fact that this occurred with everyone in pretend mode was beside the point. It was just nice to see an uptick in societal mood if just for one evening.

+ What is Societal Mood you ask? It is the human equation - the collective feelings of a community which swing back and forth in never ending succession.

+ A measurable example of mass psychology are the worldwide stock market indicies (Read an interesting article about the madness of crowds here).

+ Simply speaking, social mood is the compilation and dynamic of the attitudes within your social circle!

+ As the socioeconomic malaise jumps the shark into the mainstream and becomes increasingly present in water cooler conversation we at Community Shares encourage you to join us in our Ambassador of Positivity campaign.

+ Look at the bright side, take the high road, and bee positive!

+ Blind optimism? No. Just the recognition that your spirits and actions in the face of negativity have a profound effect on your community.

+ On this most patriotic of days please remember that nothing is more quintessentially American than giving. Whether you open your door up to the kiddos on Halloween or make a gift to your favorite charity during tough times, we all need to pitch in with a little humility and a lot of humanity as we wind down one era and wind up another.

+ As you make your way through the election I'll offer that there are no red or blue shareholders - we're all in this together. So go and cast your votes for a new chapter! Good luck!

Best wishes,

Shareholder Jason Manke
Communications Manager

Thanks to oddtodd.com for the inspiring graphic! To Toddo Harrison at Minyanville for the thought provoking daily words, and to Robert Prechter and Elliott Wave for bringing the most mind blowing concept (socionomics and the wave principle) to life on a daily basis.

Tactical Philanthropy - Giving Circles

2008-10-31T09:41:00.003-06:00

I've included the text below but take some time to link to this great article on why giving circles are a hot philanthropic trend. It addresses the generational shift and how social media is a great fit with philanthropic networks. Thanks to Jason for sending it my way. We are hoping our upcoming My Colorado Project takes these ideas and opens up a great new vehicle for giving in Colorado.

http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2008/09/giving-circles-3

Giving Circles

This is my latest column for the Financial Times. You can find an archive of past columns here.

Social circles with a square deal for charity

By Sean Stannard-Stockton
September 30, 2008 | Original FT.com Link

Giving circles are a hot trend in philanthropy. Similar to the investment clubs of the 1990s that brought people together to talk about stock picking, giving circles are social groups where people pool resources and decide which non-profits to fund. If giving circles prove to be a hit, a few years from now cocktail party chatter might include: “I just got a hot tip on a non-profit you should consider!”

One of these giving circles is the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund. With about 30 members, the circle consists of residents who work in both the non-profit and corporate worlds. Each year they vote on what areas to focus on, such as poverty or education, and then go through a process of identifying and selecting high-impact non-profits.

Drawing on a venture philanthropy model, the group provides cash grants, technical expertise and access to their members’ networks for each of their grantees. Members in turn gain a model where their giving replicates the practices of many institutional foundations, yet they are required only to give $365 a year.
Learning about philanthropy isn’t the only reason people join giving circles. “Giving circles are like a book club meets an investment club,” says Nicole Cozier, philanthropy education officer at the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, a public foundation that sponsors a number of circles. “They allow people to come together with others who have similar interests.”

The way that many giving circles mimic investment clubs suggests that philanthropy may be embarking on the same cultural leap that investing went through in the 1980s and 1990s. During those years, individual investors became a massive force as baby boomers saved for retirement.

Investment clubs were one popular way that investors learnt about the financial markets. These clubs consist of individuals who contribute to a common investment fund and meet regularly to decide how to invest the fund’s assets. In addition to members doing research on stock picks, expert advisers often make presentations at club meetings. Clubs combine socializing with investment education and, hopefully, profitable investments.

This year, the first baby boomers retire and enter their “peak giving years” when people’s charitable giving tends to increase. Retirees often look for social groups to join and many baby boomers are seeking groups that can help them “give back” in some way. Giving circles are a natural option and a familiar concept to anyone who has been part of an investment club.

But it is not only baby boomers who are becoming interested in philanthropy and giving circles; there is also increased interest from Generation Y. This generation of young people has spent its high school years volunteering and seems eager to engage with the social sector. While cell phone giving and online social networks might steal the headlines when it comes to next generation philanthropy, there is also a growing interest in giving circles.

The Young Philanthropist Committee of Birthright Israel NEXT NY is a group funded by Michael Steinhardt, the hedge fund legend turned philanthropist. The program has created a 20-person giving circle comprised of individuals in their 20s and 30s who have come together to support Jewish causes in the US. Rebecca Sugar, director of Birthright Israel NEXT NY, was inspired by Mr Steinhardt’s son David, a childhood friend of hers who had started his own giving circle. Each cycle, the 20 participants put up $500 each, which Birthright Israel NEXT NY matches. The young members of the group pitch each other on non-profits they think should receive the money. The finalist organizations present to the group and a winner is selected. After a strong showing by the 2007 group, the Young Philanthropist Committee has launched a second circle and assisted two of its members in starting their own separate circles.

By blending the best practices of institutional philanthropy with the social atmosphere of an informal club, giving circles have the potential to spread quickly. It is my hope that they will encourage more people to be actively engaged in giving and to do so more effectively.

If you are interested in learning how to start your own circle, visit the Giving Circles Knowledge Center hosted by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers at givingforum.org.

The writer is a principal and director of tactical philanthropy at Ensemble Capital Management and author of the blog TacticalPhilanthropy.com.

October 2008 e-Community

2008-10-04T09:47:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Each fall, we ask Coloradans to support the charities and causes they care about most. At Community Shares, we encourage each donor to choose which nonprofit organizations will receive funding. Over 98% of our workplace donations are designated to individual nonprofit organizations.

The staff of Community Shares participates in a workplace giving campaign each year. (As a testament to incremental giving, since 2000 our small staff has contributed over $15,000 to member charities!). When I choose which nonprofits to support, I consider myself a "community shareholder" making an investment toward achieving my vision of a better Colorado. If I align my giving with an organization that reflects my values, has a business model I believe in, and a mission statement that truly drives decision-making, I have confidence my community investment will pay dividends.

I've been working on a draft of a Personal Philanthropy Plan in conjunction with development of our online giving site, mycoloradoproject.org. It includes worksheets to help you identify your top values, select your most important issues, and draft a personal mission statement. We've included the draft for download and I'd love to hear your feedback on our blog, The Shares Holder. I'd especially like to hear if developing a personal mission statement helps you target your giving this fall.

Thank you for investing in Community Shares! Please feel free to give me a call or send me an email if you'd like to discuss how to target your giving.

Best,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Alyssa's Personal Philanthropy Plan

2008-10-03T07:57:00.005-06:00

I’d like to know if identifying your most important values, selecting your top issues, and creating a personal mission statement helps you focus your giving. Here are my results:

My top values: community, interdependence, opportunity

My top issues: civil rights, community investment, corporate responsibility

My mission statement: I believe every person has the potential to help build a stronger community and I can engage people in recognizing their changemaking power.

Top recipient of my community investment: Community Shares of Colorado (of course!)

Please download a copy of our draft Personal Philanthropy Plan and send me your feedback.

Choosing Your Charity

2008-10-03T07:50:00.002-06:00

Resources for targeting your giving

+ Download the Draft Personal Philanthropy Plan.

+ I need to know that my nonprofit partner is able to do the things they say they're going to do or are doing. Another place to get help with this is to examine a nonprofit's annual report. You can usually find these on an org's website. Community Shares 2007 Annual Report is an example of comprehensive reporting on the organization's leadership, key programs and accomplishments, sources of income, and financial reporting based on an independent auditors report. Look for those key information pieces in an annual report.

+ Another place to find your nonprofit matches is the Community Shares Member Directory. You can easily search by name, location, and service area.

+ Don't think you have enough to give? At Community Shares, every dollar adds up! Remember, anyone who gives back is a Shareholder.

+ Community Shares participates in many Metro Denver campaigns as a member of the Partnership for Colorado. Have you seen the new Partnership for Colorado website?

+ Are you interested in learning more about some of the key issues? Go here.

+ Additionally, some choose to take a holistic view of giving to the community. If you want to make a well rounded community impact then look into investing in our Community Shares Fund which is a gift to all of our member agencies and thus, a great gift to the community.

Best wishes,

Shareholder Jason Manke
Communications Manager

A Search For Jason's Nonprofit Match

2008-10-03T07:45:00.006-06:00

+ You've seen those online match-making services right? I saw a commercial last night for eHarmony which promised me a long lasting and compatible relationship.

+ I've decided to take them up on their offer. Perhaps I misunderstood the promise of this commercial, but I'm anxious to see if eHarmony can match me up with the perfect charity for me.

+ Okay, I'm signing up for eHarmony now(don't tell my wife).

+ Just like the commercial says eHarmony, "has a patented Compatibility Matching System which allows members to be matched with compatible persons with whom they are likely to enjoy a long-term relationship" - sounds like I'm in the right spot to find my match.

+ They're having me fill out a crazy long questionaire about myself and my interests. I'm not sure how my height and athletic ability will help me find a match, but I'm learning all sorts of things about myself and that is the first step toward finding the right nonprofit for you.

+ Know Thyself

+ Section 4: Values. "Am I looking for a long term relationship?" Yep.

+ Man, this thing is long, but yours doesn't have to be. Have you seen the first draft of our Personal Philanthropy Plan yet?

+ Making a list of your interests and values helps you to write a personal mission statement which is key to proactive, strategic giving.

+ Section 8: "My partner's skills at resolving conflicts." Very important to me. I need to know that my nonprofit partner is able to do the things they say they're going to do or are doing. Another place to get help with this is to examine a nonprofit's annual report. You can usually find these on the org's website. Here's an example.

+ Another place to find your nonprofit matches is the Community Shares Member Directory. You can easily search by name, location, and service area.

+ Section 11: My Skills. This is really important because it will match me up with a nonprofit where my philanthropy is reflected not only through funding, but also by giving my time and talent. Remember, anyone who gives back is a Shareholder.

+ Section 14: Location. "How far am I willing to search to find my match?" The closer the better. Community Shares is all about Colorado Philanthropy and we believe that making a difference is best accomplished on a local level.

+ Now onto my matches. What? "We couldn't find a match for you at this time." How is that possible? This system stinks - I'm going to use the Personal Philanthropy Plan instead.

+ My Values: Conservation, Investing, Self-Reliance

+ My Issues: Civic Engagement, Land Preservation, and Financial Literacy (not on there, but it will be)

+ My Matches: Colorado Open Lands, ACLU, Women's Bean Project. Unlike most online matchmaking sites Community Shares encourages you to find as many matches as you can!

+ Want to know more about the issues? Go here.

+ Additionally, some choose to take a holistic view of giving to the community. If you want to make a well rounded community impact then look into investing in our Community Shares Fund which is a gift to all of our member agencies and thus, a great gift to the community.

+ A very quick reminder that one bad apple doesn't mean the bunch is bad. Main street has now recognized the ailments that has been brewing on Wall Street for well over a year. Be good to one another as we will get through these turbulent times together as a community.

I hope you find YOUR perfect community match,

Shareholder Jason Manke
Communications Manager

September 2008 e-Community

2008-09-11T09:41:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,

Many people have asked me, "How will the tough economy affect the 2008 Community Giving Campaign?" Unfortunately, increased consumer costs have a compounding factor on most nonprofit organizations - the need for their services increases despite flat or decreased funding. However, I am able to tell people Community Shares' workplace donors have remained rock steady in their support of local giving over the years. When times are tough, our workplace donors continue to support the charities and causes they care about most.

A recent post on Newsweek.com titled, "The Coming Charity Crisis" quoted a fundraising consultant who stated, "...in the minds of some, philanthropy is a luxury. You pay your bills first and then start making charitable gifts."

The idea of philanthropy as a luxury made me stop and think. Where does my personal giving rank on my list of spending priorities? Do I count my giving dollars as discretionary or as a fixed cost in my budget? Am I a person who gives when it is convenient? Or do I consider myself a "community shareholder" who knows my investment matters most during difficult times?

Giving through paycheck contributions allows me to give on a budget and invest in my community when it needs my support most. Thanks to the innovative work of our member agencies, I know my contributions will pay dividends. Join me and become a community shareholder!

Sincere regards,

Jason's Fall Nonprofit Forecast

2008-09-10T13:29:00.010-06:00

Microgiving Your Way Through Rough Times
Even small donations can make a huge difference

+ Can you feel it? Apprehension is in the air and with each day I feel an uptick in societal uncertainty and acrimony.

+ The current economic climate of high energy prices, deflating home values, and as violatile of a financial market as many have ever seen, can be described, at least by this Community Shareholder, as a perfect storm for the nonprofit sector as we begin a fall to remember.

+ Why does that matter? Remember Shareholders, bad economic times affect us all. The real kicker though is that those who are the most affected are often those who can afford it least. Unless we maintain our support in good times and bad we're in for a harsh winter.

+ Many of our most successful community programs are dependant upon transportation to continue delivering. The Denver Hospice and Project Angel Heart are two that have seen expenses jump through the roof.

+ Rocky Mountain Alley Cats Alliance exceeded their yearly fuel budget at the beginning of July and Indigo Mountain Nature Center has seen a 40% increase in the number of animals needing rescue.

+ Where do we go from here? It's easy to think that this situation is out of our collective control, but that couldn't be further from the truth. You can't control the stock market or the price of gas, but you can control your actions and your attitude and that means a lot when multiplied by togetherness.

+ The best way out of this hole is to stop digging, and fair-weather philanthropy doesn't help the community to stop digging.

+ In the world of community services, Microgiving is the hot new fundraising method. It's based on the concept that we can do more together than we can alone. You see examples of it every day when you look at the yellow wristbands of those united to fight cancer. Over 70 million of those puppies have been sold in 4 years for $1 a piece.

+ What is it? It's simple - incremental giving makes a monumental difference and Community Shares is proof positve of this. Last year, Community Shares raised over $1.5 million for the community. All of this was with an average donation of less than a dollar a day. That's some serious community-rallying!

+ A simple donation of $5 a paycheck adds up to a heck of a lot when multiplied annually and combined with your friends, family, and co-workers. Microgiving typically allows participants to give 40% more than through a one-time gift and quite simply, it allows you to give easily in a tougher economic climate and doesn't force you to make a sacrifice outside of your means.

+ But, we ALL need to throw in. Give up a latte a week -- that's all we're asking.

+ Microgiving feels new and is definitely an exciting trend, but the truth is that it has been around for nearly a century. This fall workplace giving campaigns all over Colorado will kick off. Workplace giving is one of the original forms of Microgiving.

+ Hey, the message ain't pretty, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Times are tough and without you many of our nonprofits and community programs are in for a hard 4th quarter. Can you handle the truth?

+ We're looking at an uphill climb from here and our mood as a community dictates our success in moving forward.Think before acting, breathe before snapping, and be good to your fellow Shareholders. Let's put on the rally cap and make this a season of giving we'll remember for all the right reasons!

+ You can make the difference when it counts most.

Shareholder Jason Manke
Communications Manager

Alyssa’s Favorite Nonprofit Websites

2008-09-09T14:39:00.004-06:00

I have to start with a disclaimer: I am disappointed I cannot list Community Shares’ website as one of my favorites and I hope our upcoming reboot and public launch of the My Colorado Project will bump us to the top.

Our website includes some classic nonprofit mistakes: too many pages (mostly due to sub pages) which prevent information being kept up to date; a fairly static look that contradicts our dynamic organization; and, it doesn’t put our best attributes first – the people who make up our community giving fund. I would compare it to meeting someone on Match.com and then they show up for a face-to-face date, they look nothing like they sounded like. In this case, it is the opposite – we look and sound great but you meet us online and it is like meeting a different person.

We’ve been doings some fun work on our branding with board member Rich Jones (thanks!) that has made me take a look around and seek nonprofit or community-focused organizations that have websites that reflect their personality and attributes.

Here are a few of my favorite community change and nonprofit organization websites and why I love them. [Second disclaimer: In some cases, I may love a site while knowing little about the organization.] Of course, these are my opinions as an individual combined with my nonprofit executive eyes. Definitely respond with your favorite sites.

NONPROFIT SITES

1. Women’s Bean Project – www.womensbeanproject.org

Why I Love It: Awesome site upgrade! First off, the look of the site does a great job inviting you in and puts the product first. (For most nonprofits, the product is the change created. For WBP, they have two products – the women and the beans.) The video on the home page automatically loads which grabs your attention and makes you want to learn more. The shopping feature is super clean and easy to use. This is also a great example of not sending your site visitor to a third party to shop or donate. All in all, it’s great site.

2. Humane Society Boulder Valley – www.boulderhumane.org

Why I Love It: It puts the animals first. My two favorite features on the site are the header that flashes through the animal pics (and they aren’t afraid to use white space!) and the adoption area of the site is genius. I love that they are adding videos of the dogs and the email function is diabolical (if you are trying to resist your partner’s efforts in adopting a cat). I think they could upgrade some other areas of the site (especially the donation options) but they do right what matters most.

3. Planned Parenthood – www.plannedparenthood.org

Why I Love It: Planned Parenthood has to balance the purpose of their site because the two primary reasons people visit require different messaging and voice. For those looking for services, they use straightforward, clear language and the ability to find a location near you follows you throughout the site when you are pages related to health topics. For those who want to learn about issues and action, the language changes and you are given very easy options to get involved locally. It strikes a nice balance and exudes support, authority, and a clear point of view.

4. National Public Radio – www.npr.org

(Okay, I must admit that one of my least favorite beginnings of a sentence is, “I was listening to NPR…” And, if anyone who knows me in my personal life is reading this, you know exactly why. In addition, I wish they would do more work giving the public the microphone instead of talking about what the public is doing. However…)

Why I Love It: The NPR site is a great example of using multiple media to share your product. Their streaming quality has greatly improved and they have podcasts, RSS, desktop widgets (Google Gadget in this case), mobile alerts and trivia quizzes, and a wide variety of options for their electronic newsletter service. If you don’t know what any of those things are, email me for more information or go check out the options on the NPR site.

2 COMMUNITY CHANGE SITES

1. TED – Ideas Worth Sharing – www.ted.com

This site is labeled “inspired thoughts by the world’s greatest thinkers and doers”. It features videos from the annual TED conferences. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds.

Why I Love It: It uses some of the greatest attributes of social media. Think about reading about TED in a magazine and thinking, “I wish I could be there.” Thanks to the internet, you can be. Easy to watch, easy to share, easy to search.

2. Changemakers.net – www.changemakers.net

Changemakers.net is a project of Ashoka and it aims to “open source social solutions”. Changemakers is building the world's first global online "open source" community that competes to surface the best social solutions, and then collaborates to refine, enrich, and implement those solutions. Changemakers begins by providing an overarching intellectual framework for collaborative competitions that bring together individual social change initiatives into a more powerful whole.

Why I Love It: This truly is using social media for social change – it’s two paradigm shifts beyond where the sector is on social media. Talk about using collective knowledge and innovation to solve problems! This is a great model for nonprofits – instead of sending a fundraising letter asking constituents for money to solve a problem, what if you asked them all to weigh in first on the best way to do it. Engage your donors in real change. This site boggles my mind with potential.

This topic is of great interest to me and I will be sure to put out updates to this list quarterly. I also look forward to putting Community Shares at the top of the list soon.

Don’t forget to respond and let me know your favorite sites!

Alyssa Kopf

CEO, Community Shares of Colorado

e-Community August 2008

2008-08-05T11:21:00.000-06:00

I've had August 1st circled on my calendar for the past five months. It is Day One of the thirty-one August days that will be consumed with Colorado hosting the Democratic National Convention. Like many, I have a mixture of excitement and dread when I consider the upcoming impact on the city. Because the staff of Community Shares is busy preparing for the 2008 Community Giving Campaign kicking off this September, we will hunker down in August and take full advantage of the calm before the convention/campaign storm. However, some of our member agencies are taking advantage of the excitement and influx of people to host community events in August. This newsletter includes a list of informative and fun August community events.

Our Denver office is located at 1536 Wynkoop which means the Pepsi Center is just 2-3 good golf swings away from our door. Should I brave the walk to work, negotiate our building's security clearance and media credentials, and revel in being in the heart of the action? Or, should I take a few days off work, get out of town, enjoy a long Labor Day, and see how Colorado looks through the eyes of the nation? I'm conflicted but know August will be a month to remember.

Ttell us what you are going to do to enjoy the convention - whether that is scrambling for a front row seat or a pitching a tent and enjoying the last days of August up in the Rockies.

In partnership,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

Gearing up for the DNC

2008-08-05T11:20:00.000-06:00

We've been hearing about DNC traffic, street closures, security updates etc. for months - finally Dnever is ready to play host to the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. We at Community Shares have been involved in more ways than one and we thought we'd show you what some of our other member agencies are doing to capitalize on the big event.

As always, please click on the highlighted text to view the links in the quips below.

+ Members of the media will be swarming the city like a pack of killer Bee-Boys and Colorado Environmental Coalition, (and Community Shares) are located in the middle of the swarm! Headquarters for both orgs is The Alliance Center at 15th and Wynkoop in the heart of the DNC activity. The Alliance Center is playing host to an exciting venue: The Big Tent.

Sponsored by the likes of Google, and Digg, The Big Tent is the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and nonprofit leaders covering the DNC. The 9,000 square foot structer will be housed in the Alliance Center parking lot. Community Shares has graciously given up our parking spots during this time thus extending our philanthropic services even further!

+ While we're on the topic of bloggin' don't forget to check in on the Community Shares Blog: The Shares Holder every now and again for the latest updates. Visit the blog and let us know whether you're going to be taking advantage of the historic occasion or escaping the convention (and the heat) and head to the hills!

+ Member agency KGNU Community Radio is taking advantage of the opportunity. Their coverage of the DNC will span the week and will begin on Sunday, August 24th, the eve of the Convention, from 7 to 10pm. KGNU can be heard at 88.5 FM in the Boulder area, 1390 AM in the Denver area, 93.7 FM in Nederland and worldwide on the internet at www.kgnu.org.

+ Channel 12 PBS is getting in on the action too. As part of the station's regular "Colorado Decides" election series every two years, the August event is especially important to their local effort since all eyes will be on Denver. Visit KBDI.org regularly for more detailed and updated information on KBDI's 2008 election coverage. Download the election coverage schedule here.

+ It all gets booming with the Unity Dance on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Tracks/EXDO Events Center. Unity Dance 08 will connect the men's and women's community along with local and national GLBT organizations for a single, unprecedented DNC host city party. Did someone say collaboration?
Unity Dance 08 will be a party-not a political event-so, no speeches or partisanship, just fun! Need more info? Contact dedefrain@babesaroundenver.com.

+ NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado is hosting an event in conjuction with the DNC. Stand Up For Choice will be held August 27 at the DC10 Lounge (940 Lincoln) from 6-10pm. Comedians Rubi Nicholas and Lynne Kolitz will join the rally. Prizes will be given away throughout the night. For more info or to atted, check out: http://www.prochoicecolorado.org or call (303) 394-1973x23 for tickets.

+ If you caught our last issue of Tuesday Talk then you remember how we highlighted organizations that are thinking outside the box and using You Tube to raise awareness (find it here). Here is another great example from member agency the American Friends Service Committee. AFSC will be displaying the Cost of War banners along the Cherry Creek and Platte River trails, near REI. The Cost War exhibit will be on display Sunday, August 24-Wednesday, August 27 from 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

As you can see, our members are well positioned to capitalize on the historic DNC opportunity. If your nonprofit is doing something in conjunction with the conference we'll gladly list them on our blog. Please email Jason@Cshares.org to get your event listed and visit The Shares Holder for more information.

Until next time,

Jason Manke
Communications Manager

The Best of Unconventional YouTube Activism

2008-07-22T10:19:00.003-06:00

Have you been searching for ways to reach a huge audience with a bitsy budget? Me too, so let me know if you find something. ;) In the meantime check this out as it represents some of the best unconventional activism currently found anywhere. When you cross creativity and concern and then mix in a medium to distribute your end product you get a pretty sweet trend on YouTube (which happens to be my most favoritist website). Have a look at a few examples and then bee creative!

How about Can Man? Now there's dedication to recycling. Oh, and this video has been seen by 1,318,559 people. That's 2,637,118 eyes! Unconvential activism is all over YouTube. Have a look at the Swiss contingent who froze their butts off (literally) while raising awareness about global warming. Think it's kind of silly? Me too, but this video has seen 1,468,000 visits!

My personal favorite: The Bee-Boy Dance Crew - helping to raise awareness for the dwindling honey bee population.

Want to see and learn more on how you and your organization can get creative and take your cause viral? Please visit the YouTube Nonprofits and Activism Page. Put your promo videos online and increase your impact.

Get Ready for the "War on Talent"

2008-07-22T10:16:00.001-06:00

Is our local nonprofit sector ready to engage in the "war on talent" with the government and business sectors as the Boomers retire from their leadership positions? How will our nonprofit sector attract the most committed and talented leaders? What will draw Generation Xers and Millennials to positions that typically offer long hours for lower pay?

The panel discussion will be facilitated by Community Shares CEO Alyssa Kopf and features a panel of 3-4 young executives already in leadership roles in the Denver Metro/Boulder County area, we will discuss why they chose to take a leadership role, advice to people preparing to take a leadership role, and what they've learned from being in charge. Please have a look at the report "Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out" prior to the discussion.

This workshop is geared for current nonprofit leaders who are working on succession plans, young nonprofit professionals willing to take on leadership roles and anyone who cares about the future of nonprofit leadership.

Member agency Volunteer Connections is hosting (MAP).
Fee: $25

To register for these workshops, please contact Sue McCullough at (303) 444-4904 or services@volunteerconnection.net. Checks should be made out to: Volunteer Connection, 2885 Aurora Ave., Suite 32, Boulder, CO 80303

e-community 7/3/08

2008-07-08T09:13:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Colorful Colorado! What a wonderful way to greet those who visit our state! The name "Colorful Colorado" honors our beautiful mountains, rivers, and prairies. It is also speaks to our community promise to make sure those vibrant treasures are shared with future generations of Coloradans.

Many Community Shares member agencies play an active role in conserving our environment and offering meaningful outdoor experience opportunities to all. This newsletter highlights several of our member agencies working on conservation and sustainability and includes opportunities for you to get involved with their work and programs. Not only can you get out and enjoy our natural wonders, you can help make sure Colorado stays colorful for generations to come.

My thanks for your continued support!

Best Regards,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

e-community 7/3/08

2008-07-08T09:08:00.002-06:00

Colorful Colorado Conservation Calendar

We're officially into summer and there isn't any place better to spend your time than the Colorado outdoors in July and August. I spend a lot of time in the Colorado wilderness throughout the year and I'm continually reminded of the work it takes to keep our great state healthy and beautiful.

Many of Community Shares' members work to keep the state colorful and enhance our recreational experiences. If you're looking for opportunities to combine your love of the Colorado wilderness with your philanthropic enthusiasm then here are a few ways to do so!

+We wrote about collaboration in the June E-Community. Keep it Colorado is another great example of nonprofits working together. This initiative is sponsored in part by CSC member Colorado Open Lands.

+ Before joining Community Shares I worked for the American Alpine Club in Golden. Through a Partnership with new CSC member the Colorado Mountain Club the first museum dedicated to mountaineering and climbing in the country was built. The museum is housed in the American Mountaineering Center in downtown Golden and is a fantastic place to take kiddos and beat the heat of summer by escaping to the air-conditioned alpine atmosphere of the museum.

+ Any of you cyclists out there? I've been on my bike more and more and have only experienced road rage about 1,000 times from April-July. The funny thing is that despite some of the most enthusiastic bikers and recreationalists in the country, Colorado is one of the worst places I've ridden for negative encounters with motorists. Bicycle Colorado is an organization which knows the true dangers of these unwelcome encounters and continues to help us improve safety for cyclists in Colorado. If you're a cyclist like me then consider becoming a member or adding BC to your workplace giving plan this fall. Don't forget to watch Le Tour which begins on the 5th!

+ Did you know that water conservation is likely to be one of the most heated and important issues in the west over the next quarter century? Western Resource Advocates continually comes through for Colorado's water sensitive areas. They're hosting a brown bag lunch series in July on a variety of topics. Grab a sandwich and join in!

+ When you get thirsty during your outdoor pursuits this summer fill up with good ol' Colorado tap water instead of becoming a victim of "bottlemania." I'm amazed by the amount of waste bottlemania creates.

"Nationwide, we discard 30-40 billion of these containers a year."

Those who give to Boulder Valley's Eco-Cycle are baffled too. But they're also solution oriented! Take some time out of your schedule this summer to become a Recycling Ranger at one of the Eco-Cycle centers in the Boulder Valley. Maybe you'll come away with a better taste for tap water.

+ Did you know that having a significant life experience in the outdoors is the single biggest factor toward becoming an environmental steward? The folks at Big City Mountaineers provide significant life experiences to inner city youth by exposing them to the wonders of the natural world. If you have some experience in the wilderness and want to share your wisdom with inner city youth on their first experience outdoors then consider volunteering to be a mentor on a trip this summer.

+Hey, it isn't too late to register for the Thorne Ecological Institute's summer classes. They've been educating young people on the wonders of the environment for 51 years!

+ What good is a summer Colorado experience without getting a little dirty? Each summer thousands of Volunteers for Outdoor C olorado come together to build trails, plant trees, battle invasive species, and restore habitat in Colorado's wilderness. Trail building on one of Colorado's 14ers is a lung-busting, lactic-acid-producing, immensely rewarding experience! Search the many interesting and different opportunities by using VOC's super handy project finder.

+ Residents of Colorado have the benefit of copious amounts of open spaces to recreate in. The Trails and Open Space Coalition in the Pikes Peak region offers the opportunity to give back this summer with a plethora of dates to come out and lend a hand.

Bet you didn't think you'd hear the word "Plethora" today. Enjoy!

Have a great and safe 4th!

Jason Manke
Communications Manager, Community Shares

Digital Communication Catch-up

2008-06-25T13:07:00.004-06:00

Thanks mucho to all those who attended the Partnership for Colorado Ccommunication seminar this morning. Many of you looked like you needed a bit more info when the discussion turned to Web 2.0, blogs, social networking etc.

Here are some great places to begin. Watch for an article on this in the next Tuesday Talk as well. Don't get Tuesday Talk or E-Community (our monthly e-news)? Sign up using the big red button to the right!

Thanks to the creative folks at Common Craft you can better see how digital media can work for you.

This one is on Blogging which you might not find useful since you're already here!

Here's another one on what a Wiki is

For more videos check out Common Craft's Website

Dig it? Make a donation to Community Shares and help us continue to spread the idea of living a philanthropic life. Philanthropists look just like you. Just like me. Just like us.
Feel free to comment below.

Talkin bout my generation

2008-06-18T08:24:00.011-06:00

I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
This is my generation
This is my generation, baby
- The Who, 1965

I have an increasingly short attention span. I communicate primarily through IM and Facebook, can't go anywhere without my cell phone or iPod, and I read my morning blogs with a cup of coffee instead of the paper. I am a Millennial, and I'm using my multi-tasking powers to give back.

Everyday I'm trying to bring this knowledge of America’s biggest generation into the nonprofit community. Fortunately for me, Community Shares is already on board. Each day we’re finding new ways to text, blog, and wiki our way into the lives of a new audience of philanthropists.

Feel like you need to catch up? Get by with a little help from our friends at the Case Foundation and the Monitor Institute and checkout these great studies on how the Millennial generation is reshaping the community, and how to Act Wikily.

Dig it? Make a donation to Community Shares and help us continue to spread the idea of living a philanthropic life. Philanthropists look just like you. Just like me. Just like us.

Feel free to comment below.

Become a Community Shareholder

2008-06-16T10:35:00.003-06:00

Below you'll find the transcipt of CEO Alyssa Kopf's speech given at the 2008 Summer Celebration on June 11, 2008. Please post your comments below.

"We celebrate community in all we do. We celebrate community when we ensure giving campaigns reflect the diversity of our vital and vibrant community.

Before Community Shares, many companies believed if a nonprofit organization might conflict with the values of one person, it was best not to include the group at all. Community Shares encouraged people to talk about tough problems and support the charities and causes they care about most.

Some of our members deal with issues that push comfort boundaries. We welcomed groups addressing women’s issues and never shied away from discussing real-world concerns like affordable childcare, wage equity, reproductive choice, and political involvement, we talked about concepts like decent homes, accessible healthcare, and jobs with dignity, we included groups fighting to conserve the environment back when environmentalists were kooks, decades before going green was cool, we were the first workplace giving fund to welcome groups working for equal rights for gays, lesbians, and we championed community-owned arts and culture.

Our membership, in itself, is a celebration of community. We celebrate community through our grassroots funding structure. Rather than using a top-down model to establish community priorities, we welcome each donor to select the charities and causes they care about most. Our funding power is due to our collective strength.

Many of you are familiar with the term, “share holder”.

The definition is:

Any person or other institution that owns at least 1 share in a company.
Note:Shareholders are the owners of a company. They have the potential to profit if the company does well, but that comes with the potential to lose if the company does poorly.

We invite people to become Community Shares Holders. Just as a shareholder owns a company, we own our community. We have the potential to contribute and make our community thrive, and we face tremendous loss of health and humanity if we don’t devote attention to our community and demand investment in our shared future.

Philanthropy is a tool for democratic decision making and effective community building. As a Community Shares Holder, each donation, each designation, is your vote on how to build a stronger community. Together, our influence is mighty.

Finally, we celebrate community when we redefine the word “philanthropist” to include all people who give.

What do you think of when you hear the word, “philanthropist”?

The definition of the word “philanthropist” is fairly simple: one who actively promotes human well-being.

However, when we hear the word “philanthropist” our minds often jump to the most extreme examples; we think of black and white photos of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, the names that grace our buildings, theaters and streets, and the new generation of billion dollar givers.

We tend to define “philanthropist” by the exception- an elite group of the largest givers- rather than the reality of giving in the United States. These “mega-gifts” only account for 1% of the national giving total. Individual gifts account for over 75% of giving and 65% of households earning less than $100,000 per year give to charity.

Why do we look outside ourselves to define something we do every day?

How does Community Shares define the word philanthropist?

You.

You are an everyday philanthropists, someone who makes our community better one choice at a time.

Philanthropists don’t just exist in black and white photos, they live in bold colors in our vital and vibrant community.

You are a philanthropist if you give an amount that is personally significant to a cause that is personally meaningful. You are a philanthropist if you set aside a few hours to volunteer each month. You are a philanthropist if you check in on an older neighbor. You are a philanthropist if you take the bus or carpools to work. You area a philanthropist if you adopted your an animal from a shelter. You are a philanthropist if you take the time to recycle, even when it isn’t convenient. You are a philanthropist if you stand up and be counted for something you believe in.

We have tremendous power as a shared community. Our giving matters. We are more powerful together than alone, and big changes require community ownership and action.

What does a “philanthropist” look like?

A philanthropist looks like you. Looks like me. Looks like us.

Thank you for celebrating community with Community Shares."

Summer Celebration a Hit!

2008-06-13T10:09:00.002-06:00

Many thanks to those of you who were able to attend our annual Summer Celebration held on Wednesday, June 11th at the Belmar Center in Lakewood. Over 300 of our most loyal supporters, member agencies, and workplaces were able to enjoy an evening to celebrate the efforts of philanthropists across the greater Denver community. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the evening in the comments section below. For more on the event award winners, please see the post below.

View Photos of the event here.

-Shares Holder Jason
What's a Shares Holder? Find our here.

More on Nonprofit Collaboration

2008-06-13T09:48:00.004-06:00

Hope you enjoy the new section of links to news, articles, videos, and blogs. It's our goal to make it informative, fun, and readable! You can contact me at jason@cshares.org with questions, topic ideas, or feedback.

+ I had an interesting discussion over dinner last night about collaboration versus competition as it relates to nonprofits and charities. Our former CEO, Jesse Wolff, weighed in on the benefits of nonprofit mergers in a piece for the Denver Business Journal way back in 2006!

+ Another great article for you to look at is about the impact of the millennial generation on the workplace. Whether you work in a for-profit or nonprofit, using collaboration tools for communication is going to become a must as Millennials hit the workforce.

+ At Community Shares we regularly discuss how to embrace this change and benefit from it. The My Colorado Project (beta) is a great example of how Community Shares is adapting to meet the needs of tomorrow's philanthropists. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to help test the My Colorado Project, please email me at jason@cshares.org. My Colorado will launch on August 1.

+ Here's a list of 60+ online collaboration tools and resources. Is your business using a collaboration tool effectively?

+ And finally, checkout why this author thinks that collaboration is just one of many possible strategies, and how competition can be used to succeed as well.

+ Anyone else super jazzed for the Summer Celebration?

Until next time,

Jason

Community Shares Announces Annual Awards

2008-06-09T08:46:00.001-06:00

Leaders in the Colorado community and champions of philanthropy will be honored at the Community Shares Summer Celebration on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the Belmar Center in Lakewood.

To view the full press release, please click here.

We're already 300 strong but a few spots are still available for the Summer Celebration. Please join us to honor these individuals and celebrate philanthropy. To purchase tickets, please click here.

The New Prize for Nonprofit Collaboration

2008-06-09T08:42:00.002-06:00

The Collaboration Prize has announced a new award designed to recognize and reward successful collaborations between nonprofits. If you know of a nonprofit partnership that is acheiving a greater community impact because of a collaboration then consider nominating your charity for the award. Employees can't nominate, so it is up to you as philanthropists!

+ The nomination process begins June 1, 2008 and closes at 5 p.m. EDT on July 21, 2008.

+ Learn more about eligibility and selection criteria.

+ Find out what you need to do as a nominator.

+ Download the nomination package (eligibility and selection criteria, selection timeline, nominator instructions, and nomination forms).

Remember, as a philanthropist you can give more than just your personal funds. Nominate your favorite charity today.

Want to get more involved in a charity? See our list of member agencies.

e-Community 6/6/08

2008-06-09T08:31:00.011-06:00

Join me in welcoming the new look of e-Community, Community Shares' monthly online newsletter to our giving community!

We will continue to feature Community Shares news and events to keep you up to date on our work connecting Coloradans to the charities and causes you care about most. However, we are adding more content via our new section below, which features links to articles, online videos, news, and blogs around a monthly topic related to philanthropy. You'll learn more about the Community Shares perspective on trends in giving, social venture, and the impact of the nonprofit sector. You'll also have access to more information and resources, as well as opportunities to share your thoughts on how to build a stronger community.

The theme of this month's newsletter is collaboration. With rising costs for fundraising, see this article in the Denver Post, and a high density of nonprofits in Colorado (Denver is ranked 9th in nonprofits per capita in the U.S.), more and more nonprofits are realizing that collaborating to decrease costs is just good business.

According to the authors of, Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits, the most effective nonprofits build a network to fulfill their mission.

"Although most nonprofits pay lip service to collaboration, many of them really see other groups as competition for scarce resources. But high-impact organizations help their peers succeed, building networks of nonprofit allies and devoting remarkable time and energy to advancing their fields. They freely share wealth, expertise, talent, and power with other nonprofits not because they are saints, but because it's in their self-interest to do so."

Check out a summary from the authors at Stanford Social Innovation Review.

I believe Community Shares' foundation as a collaborative, cooperative giving fund run by and for nonprofit organizations has been key to our success in better serving donors.

We hope you use the new format of our newsletter to collaborate with us and get involved. Please voice your ideas for how we can increase our impact. Forces for Good states high-impact nonprofits,

"recognize that they are more powerful together than alone, and that
large-scale social change often requires collaborative, collective action."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves!

Best Regards,

Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

What is a Community Share Holder?

2008-06-05T12:29:00.007-06:00

We're all Share Holders! Active Citizens with an interest (or share) of our community.

Community Shares has been a leader in providing philanthropic services to our members and to the community for 22 years. You might associate us as a workplace giving facilitator, but that really only scratches the surface (a big scratch, mind you) of what we're here for.

We exist to improve the community and give a voice to individuals and organizations who desire to give back. If this describes you then consider becoming an active participant in your Colorado charity and join the long list of Community Shares Holders .

What does a philanthropist look like? You!
It is great to give.

-Share Holder Jason

Greg Truog - Friend, Mentor, and Leader

2008-04-04T14:43:00.011-06:00

Greg Truog was the heart of Community Shares of Colorado for the 14 years he served as Executive Director. His vision and core values continue to inspire our work today.

Community Shares is honored to welcome donations to the Greg Truog Community Fund. His wife, Laurie Harvey, will determine how to use the gifts made in honor of Greg's legacy. We will contact all who give to the fund to let you know how your financial tribute to Greg is invested in the community.

Make a donation to the Greg Truog Community Fund today.

We welcome all of Greg's friends and colleagues to share your tributes to Greg's spirited, challenging, and inspiring life and work.

Click on "Post a Comment" to share your thoughts about Greg's impact on your life and work.

The Big Give: Making Philanthropy a Reality in Colorado.

2008-03-13T13:40:00.002-06:00

My husband and I are a little obsessed with reality shows. Survivor, Amazing Race, Apprentice, Top Chef - and Matt’s favorite, Flip this House. When Oprah announced that she was bringing philanthropy to my favorite genre…I set the DVR immediately.

The premise, 10 people compete to ‘Give Big’ in a new city each week. With a couple grand in seed money for each challenge, contestants race to change the world. (Think ‘Amazing Race meets Extreme Makeover – Home Edition) For two weeks, I’ve rooted for all the contestants - truly good people who embody generosity, compassion and conviction. I’ve been touched and inspired by the families and lives they transform in a matter of days. Yet at the end of each week, it’s remarkably awkward to see the contestants being judged (and eliminated) for ‘not giving enough…or not giving it right’. (I hope they work this part out of the show…)

I will keep watching because when creativity meets generosity – anything is possible. Rachael (a contestant) gives big to women living with HIV/AIDS at Empowerment Program, Inc. She took these deserving women – many of whom feel forgotten – to a day at the Spa & dinner at Strings. I was not surprised when I recognized the restaurant interior - my friend Noel Cunningham, the owner of Strings Restaurant, embodies the Big Give.

What would you do to ‘Give Big’?

1. Volunteer – Find an agency that you care about at Metro Volunteers. They need you.
2. Give Online – We value every single dollar that is donated to us and/or one of our member agencies - Donate Now!
3. Do your own ‘Big Give’. Get some friends together, choose a project and do it together. (here's a great blog to help you get this going)
4. Write about what you would do with just a little bit of seed money…

- Debbie

Take the Polar Bear Plunge for Longmont Humane Society

2007-12-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Since 1993, the crazies at Longmont Humane Society have been putting their comfort on the line and raising money for homeless animals by participating in the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge at Boulder Reservoir.

If you are yourself a bit mad, feel free to join us. Go to www.longmonthumane.org to print out a hard-copy pledge form, set up an online pledge page - or you can just make a pledge for a lunatic plunger.
Call seven-time plunger Clay Evans, 303-772-1232, for a pep talk if you're thinking about it.....

And actually, it's not as bad as it sounds. You'll be amazed how quickly you can scramble out of 33-degree water when you really, really want to.....

- Clay Evans, Longmont Humane Society

Women In Business Network Luncheon

2007-11-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

On November 9, 2007, over 30 professional women gathered at the Women in Business Network (WIBN) holiday luncheon and silent auction. The WIBN luncheon is produced by Business Connection Network (BCN), a group that was founded by Corrinda Campbell. According to Corrinda (or Cori, as her friends call her), the WIBN luncheon was started because the largest amount of people who live below the poverty level are women under the age of 65. The luncheon is a wonderful networking opportunity – there is time both before and after the luncheon to network, and each participant gets to introduce themselves and their company during lunch. There are no membership fees to belong to BCN – you just pay for the events you want to attend. I’ve met so many great women through these luncheons – Shelley Mesh of Mary Kay, Rebecca Saltman of A Foot in The Door Productions, Kristine Wells of RBizness, Dana Lynch of Elements of Image and Pam Pressel of Capabilities, just to name a few. Many of the women who attend own their own businesses, and it is an excellent opportunity to meet new women, share resources and support one another. And yes, there are some brave men who attend as well. Douglas Martine of Blacktie Colorado is a terrific supporter of the WIBN luncheons and is not afraid to sit at a table full of women!

The November luncheon offered a silent auction to benefit Community Shares and I had the opportunity to speak about inspired philanthropy and what Community Shares does. The auction raised $840 for Community Shares, and it was the largest amount raised from a WIBN silent auction so far. There have been various ways that nonprofits have been chosen to be the beneficiary – in 2005, the luncheon attendees voted which nonprofit organization out of 4 should be the recipient. I remember this well because there were at least 2 Community Shares member nonprofit agencies as choices -- The Gathering Place and The Adoption Exchange. It was at the luncheon in 2005 that I met Brenda Roush, the Vice President of Development for The Gathering Place, and I am so grateful to know her. Brenda is amazing – maybe that’s another blog entirely.

In the photo are Lisa Specht, who is a mortgage broker and a yoga instructor, who donated 2 monthly passes to Corepower Yoga to the auction; me, wearing a hand-made shawl donated by Morning Dove Designs that I purchased; and Andi Pearson (my mom!), with Primerica Financial Services, who donated a Silpada Designs sterling silver necklace to the auction.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the luncheon – and many many thanks to Corrinda Campbell!

- Mary Snyders

Women's Bean Project selected for HGTV's Denver Rebuilding Project!

2007-11-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Starting immediately, Women's Bean Project will be featured as part of HGTV's Change the World. Start at Home campaign.

We need your votes! The four projects with the most votes will receive support funding and highlights of the work will be featured on HGTV. Be part of the change and vote for Denver! Bookmark the site - you can vote once each day from each computer from now until the voting ends in late December. Forward to your friends and family and get them voting too!

Winners will be announced January 1st during the HGTV's coverage of the Rose Parade.

Thanks so much for helping us with this great opportunity!

-Holly Woodbury
Development Director, Women's Bean Project

Choice in Giving

2007-11-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

I just had one of those days where I really enjoy what we do. I love the idea that we don’t tell people WHAT to believe in, we just give them options to give. I gave 2 campaign presentations today, and at one of them, the Executive Director of the organization stood up and said that she gives through paycheck deductions and loves how easy it is. That’s why Community Shares exists – to provide people easy, convenient and no-hassle ways to give. Its so critical that our average donor gives $7 a paycheck – so many of us can afford that.

There are so many organizations out there that think everyone should give to them. The truth is, we all have different passions, different experiences, different causes we believe in… which is why Community Shares is so crucial. And so relevant! When I give my campaign presentations – and when I spoke at the Women In Business Network luncheon – I encouraged people to think about what they believe in and why. That makes giving so much easier… and it makes saying no easier as well. Its ok to say, “No, I’m not going to give to one organization because I am passionate about something else and I give my time and money to what I am passionate about.” Its also ok to give to organizations once a year, and in small amounts. I say this because I have a friend whose mother died of leukemia. So every year when she participates in a fundraising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I give. But I don’t’ want to get on their mailing list, and I don’t want to be solicited by them otherwise. I want to give only because I care about her and she asks me. And that’s ok – I have every right to decide my own philanthropic giving and have my own personal reasons for it --- we are all entitled to that right.

- Mary Snyders

Help Denver Hospice win $5,000!

2007-11-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

The Denver Hospice was recently selected by the KMART Corporation to participate in a Christmas Tree Decorating Contest along with 7 other non-profits. The winning organization will receive $5,000! We have a 1 in 8 chance of winning...pretty good odds with your help!

Helping The Denver Hospice win is simple. All you have to do is Vote!

Visit The Big K store (originally called KMart) at 9881 W. 58th Ave. in Arvada. You may view our tree in the Garden Center Department. Just look for the one that has all the hand-made ornaments that were made with love by The Denver Hospice employees. Please fill out a ballot naming The Denver Hospice as your choice of the best decorated tree. You and everyone you know are eligible to vote once each day for the next 3 weeks. Ballots will be available in the Garden Center and at the Customer Service Desk. Voting ends December 2nd at 9pm.

Please cast your vote today and each day thru December 2nd and support The Denver Hospice.

We thank you for your continued support!

Jennifer Hunter
Annual Giving Coordinator, The Denver Hospice

Urban Servant Corps Open House

2007-10-25T17:02:00.000-06:00

The Urban Servant Corps invites you to our 20th Annual All Saints Open House on Sunday Nov. 4th, 2007 at 1660 Ogden St, the 100 year old home of 9 of our 17 full-time volunteers. Come for a tour of our historic house, introductions to our placement agencies and volunteers, and ideas about how you can serve in the city.
The Open house is from 12-4PM. Agency recognition at 1:45, Worship at 2pm and Annual Meeting at 3:00. Snacks and hospitality will continue all day.

We're hoping for a great turnout!

Thanks,
Laura Folkwein
Executive Director, Urban Servant Corps
303-894-0076

2007 Harvest Run

2007-10-24T05:41:00.000-06:00

Community Shares is the grateful beneficiary of the 2007 Harvest Run/Walk, produced by local credit unions. Alyssa and I accepted the generous $15,000 check at a recent Credit Union Association dinner. This fun, family oriented event began with just 5 credit unions from Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and has grown to over 10 incredible credit unions this year. This event is a partnership on many levels - the credit unions who produce the event; the event management company; local sponsors and donors; runners, walkers and families; and of course Community Shares nonprofit member agencies. It is only through strategic partnerships like these that we can grow throughout this strong, vibrant community.

- Mary

Fundraiser for the Carriage House

2007-10-15T11:39:00.000-06:00

Carriage House is having a big fundraiser tomorrow, October 16th, 6:30 at Nissi’s in Lafayette. FACE will be playing, and we will have silent and live auctions featuring travel (a week in a timeshare –national or international, a week in a condo near Durango, two nights at St. Julien’s with a spa package, a night at the Boulderado), jewelry, and lots of restaurant gift certificates.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

Hope to see you there!
Joy Eckstine
Executive Director - Carriage House

KGNU Fall Membership Drive

2007-10-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

KGNU Independent Community Radio will hold its Fall Membership Drive October 17-27, 2007. There will be special programming, so please tune in! KGNU needs plenty of volunteer help around the station to make the drive go smoothly. There are various telephone operator shifts available from 6:45AM through 9PM, even later some evenings. Nonprofits can sign up for "group phone shifts" and get some extra on-air acknowledgment of their organization. If you can help please call me at 303-449-4885.

- Shawna Claiborne, KGNU Membership Director

El Pomar Award for Excellence

2007-09-14T15:11:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Judi’s House and Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) for being selected as finalists for the El Pomar Foundation’s Award for Excellence! Judi's House was nominated in the Self Sufficiency category and ELK was nominated for the Environment category. Judi’s House and ELK, both Community Shares Member Nonprofits, join the company of twelve other finalists from the Denver metro area: Brent's Place, Colorado Neurological Institute, Denver Health, Denver Red Shield Community Center, Inner City Health Center, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy, Phamaly, Special Olympics Colorado, The Listen Foundation, The Rise School of Denver, Third Way Center, and Young Americans Center for Financial Education. On November 28th, one of the finalists will be announced as the proud recipient of the Spencer and Julie Penrose Award for Outstanding Nonprofit.

Judi’s House was founded in 2002 by Brian Griese to provide grief support to children, ages 3 to 18, and their adult caregivers. Judi's House joined Community Shares in 2007.

Since 1996, ELK has provided classroom and experiential field activities to more than 40,000 at-risk youth and their families across the Denver metro area. ELK has been a member of Community Shares since 2005.

Be sure to look for Judi's House and ELK as one of your workplace giving options this fall.

Thanks to Tony Hodess of Judi's House for providing information on the El Pomar finalists.

- Kyle

No summer rest for nonprofits...

2007-08-10T13:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday as I was driving, traffic slowed and I found my car creeping next to a Mile High Youth Corp van. It was full of young people in grey t-shirts enjoying a few moments of cool and rest before a very hot day working on a public improvement project. I was reminded of how nonprofits are humming with activity during the summer months.

There are few slow days for nonprofits here in Colorado. Trail maintenance programs and environmental education programs are in full swing. Summer education and recreation programs, food banks, and services for the disadvantaged of all sorts see more and more clients in the summer. Summer is also a time for fundraising. The Bubbly at the Brewery Dog Wash (Longmont Humane Society), Summer Art Market (Art Students League), and Community Shares' own Harvest Run are all great examples of the fun and frenzy.

I am new to Community Shares, but not to the nonprofit sector. I have been struck in my first few weeks at how important workplace and incremental giving is. While each animal, human, environmental, social justice, and cultural service agency is working to positively impact Colorado - the giving goes on behind the scenes. How refreshing it is to know that when each nonprofit staffer is doing their most to bring positive change to their community they are backed by the small but incredible gifts that continue week in and week out. Paycheck deduction is lovingly given by someone who knows that their gift is adding to the rising wave of support that makes each program and effort possible. This is giving that is truly effective and important. Effective and important all year long, not just when the temperature rises we are all distracted by the call of that familiar mountain trail, the patio or grandma’s shady garden.

- Julie

Building "My Space" in a Global Community

2007-08-02T09:43:00.000-06:00

Our upcoming program, the My Colorado Project, is an online giving site that empowers the most exciting characteristic of the next generation of donors - their interest in leveraging technology to connect, network, communicate and collaborate.We are moving Community Shares’ incremental giving model outside of the workplace and into the online, networked lives of young people.

Instead of building a one-size-fits-all young donor program, which ends up not fitting anyone, we are giving young people the tools to create their own giving program and following them where they take us.

Over the past six months we have been encouraging Community Shares supporters to redefine the word “philanthropist” to include all people who give. We are also recognizing how young donors are changing the face of philanthropy. Young donors are more diverse, more conscious of philanthropy and its role in commerce and society, and are talking to each other more than ever before via email, the internet, text messaging and other social media.

You’ve probably noticed a lot of organizations are using the word “my” lately to appeal to the post-Boomer generations. My Space, My Hub, My Ebay, My AOL, My Yahoo, and now, My Colorado. I believe the desire for Generation X to personalize and individualize our lives is no coincidence. The Baby Boomers were always “talking ‘bout my generation”. They knew they were opening doors, opening minds, and challenging boundaries. Forty years later, there are so few boundaries left. Is it any wonder that everything popping up today is about establishing “My Space”?

Rather than all of these “my”, “my”, “my”s being selfish or self-centered, maybe young people are just trying to regain a little control over the information they receive, who they let into their lives, and attempting define themselves when every one of our biographies is one Google search away from anyone in the world. Doesn’t it make sense that this generation is seeking to build a virtual picket fence, to try to re-establish some limits and boundaries to create a manageable space in this great big world?

Generational differences are a very real issue facing the philanthropic community and understanding why young people need to create a unique, defined identity and establish a manageable workspace is essential if we want to engage the next generation of donors and nonprofit leaders. My Colorado Project is not just about Generation X’s need for self-determination, it is also an affirmation that each of us can still make an impact.

-Alyssa

Thank you!

2007-06-18T17:33:00.000-06:00

Thanks to our supporters and sponsors for joining us for our Summer Celebration! It was great to see everyone! Click here to see pictures from the event.

-Community Shares staff & Board

Final Habitat

2007-06-04T16:07:00.001-06:00

I took my 11 year old son to the Habitat House dedication ceremony on Saturday. He didn't say much but I could tell he was soaking it all in. It was a pride filled event that ended with both families cutting a big red ribbon across their front doors and taking that first step into official home ownership. The new duplex sparkled in the June sun and the sense of accomplishment ran high. The Nguyen family had a spread of Asian food for the welcoming. Habitat's ED, Lori Vacavlik, has overseen the construction of over 200 homes in her tenure. What a great accomplishment...

- Jesse

People's Fair features Community Shares' Partners in Philanthropy

2007-06-04T10:39:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods for another great People's Fair last weekend! For the past 36 years, People's Fair has showcased local nonprofits and provided them the opportunity to exhibit, distribute information, and raise funds for their important programs and causes.

It was great to see a number of Community Shares members take part in the Fair. ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Sinapu, Habitat for Humanity, Empowerment Program, KUVO, Women's Bean Project, KGNU, Front Range Earth Force, and Project Angel Heart were among over 60 nonprofits in attendance.

The fair was also sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and attended by FireHouse Ventures, two great supporters of Community Shares and our member nonprofits.

The People's Fair aims to bring community together, which makes us proud to have so many of our partners in philanthropy participate in the event!

- Kyle

Rebels with a Cause

2007-06-01T12:26:00.000-06:00

Over the last month I've had the pleasure of working with the staff and Board of Colorado Environmental Coalition (CEC) to plan their annual Rebel with a Cause celebration event. Each year this event highlights an individual who has worked to promote and protect the air, water and land of our state. Last night, CEC awarded John Fielder as the 2007 Rebel with a Cause for his photography of open space and wildlands in Colorado. Each of his images captures Colorado's beauty and speaks thousands of compelling words advocating for the environment. CEC also presented three Conservation Awards for outstanding environmental stewardship.

The passion and dedication shown by leaders in any field can be very humbling, inspiring and worthy of accolades. It's also important to recognize those that work behind the scenes to make a difference. This year, CEC made major strides to protect Colorado. Their work toward renewable energy, oil and gas reform, and water conservation deserves a great deal of respect. CEC supporters, staff, and Board are due many thanks and much appreciation by the state of Colorado. You are all perennial rebels with a cause!

Thank you!
Kyle

Building a House, Dedicating a Home

2007-05-29T13:55:00.000-06:00

In January, Community Shares made a commitment to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. Through February and March our Board, staff, friends, and volunteers from our member nonprofits and partner worksites all put incredible time and energy into the house. Now the house is complete and ready for the Nguyen family to move in. Habitat will be dedicating the home to the Nguyens this Saturday, June 2, 11AM at 4529/4533 W. Center St. Get Directions

For all that worked on the house, thank you! Come take a tour of the completed project and meet the family who will be living in the walls, floors, and roofs you built.

If you haven't volunteered for Habitat before, come out and see what a difference you can make by giving a day to a Habitat House.

-Kyle

Making your gift go further!

2007-05-10T15:16:00.000-06:00

Community Shares values inspired philanthropy where people convert intention into action. Taking your community goodwill and putting it into action in a focused meaningful way. As you think about personally meaningful giving there are things you can do to leverage your community investment...

1. Consistent, long term giving is important. Consistent giving over time is very effective. The receiving nonprofit can plan more effectively, you will give more over time, and you will be more likely to see the return on your investment over the long term.
2. Give unrestricted funds as part of your giving. It is fashionable to ask “What percent of budget is spent on administration and overhead?” In other words, donors want all of their money to be spent on programs. There are good reasons for this but don’t force a nonprofit to invest in “program” only. Having a quality infrastructure is very important. Let the nonprofit decide where to best invest your dollars. Hold them accountable on delivering their mission and delivering quality programs but don’t “handcuff” them!
3. Participate in an employee giving program at your workplace. Payroll contributions through your company are a great way to give more money over time.
4. Ask your company to match your gift. Many companies will match your charitable giving to some extent.
5. Get your kids involved. Make philanthropy a family process! It makes giving money and volunteering fun and lays the groundwork for your kids to be the next generation of givers.
6. Get your friends and family involved in your cause! If you are passionate about something, tell your family and friends. They know you and will respect your interest. This leverages your individual philanthropy into something larger.
7. Venture Philanthropy. Groups like Social Venture Partners Denver can be very effective in making venture investments along with management, marketing, and IT expertise to nonprofits in startup phases.
8. Just do it! Every dollar counts just like every vote counts. It doesn’t take much to have a positive effect. Nonprofits are expert at leveraging every dollar. For example, $5 a month enables a sick child to visit a doctor twice a year at local nonprofit health clinics like Clinica Tepeyac.

- Jesse

Ambassadeering for Life

2007-05-02T16:44:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Project Angel Heart for the most successful Dining Out for Life ever, raising over $370,000! Alyssa was an ambassador at Montecito on 6th and Downing, while Beth and I were a few steps from the office at Wazee Supper Club. These were just two of over 360 participating restaurants this year donating 25% of all food sales to Project Angel Heart! It really is a lot of fun thanking diners for contributing to the cause and informing them of the great work Project Angel Heart does. The money raised on Thursday will help serve 375,000 nutritious, home delivered meals to 1,500 clients this year!

Project Angel Heart relies heavily on volunteers to make and deliver meals to their clients. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Betty at 303-830-0202.

- Kyle

My Colorado

2007-05-01T11:19:00.000-06:00

My Colorado is going to be so much fun! This new Shares program is designed to engage young community leaders (ages 24-39) in basic philanthropy, nonprofit board service, and community engagement. In other words, Community Shares would like to engage tomorrow's donors today....

Instead of asking for support from those with means, we asked ourselves how can we do a better job of giving someone the means to give? My Colorado is a consumer driven, "social philanthropy network" that is inspiring thoughtful community investment and and leadership in Colorado's next generation of philanthropists.

What has been especially rewarding is the collaborative relationships that have resulted from the initial planning stages of My Colorado. The Young Philanthropists Foundation, Gay and Lesbian Fund, Kroenke Sports Enterprises, Denver Metro Chamber, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Metro Volunteers, and Community Resource Center are among our partners on this project.

The program elements are named RIPPLE.

Our first year goals: Raise $50,000 for local nonprofits and have 400 participants.

My Colorado will launch on September 1, 2007. Please email jesse@cshares.org if you are interested in being part of the "RIPPLE 100", a set of young, very networked leaders that will help us launch My Colorado. - Jesse

Rich and Eric are rockstars!

2007-04-27T14:28:00.000-06:00

This last month Community Shares was very fortunate to have Richard Male and Eric Hozempa lead a series of seminars for our member nonprofits on the topics of fundraising and corporate partnerships. Rich and Eric have a wealth of experience and create the perfect tandem for providing real solutions for the unique challenges nonprofits face. They are truly the rockstars of the nonprofit sector! For more information on Rich and Eric visit Richard Male & Associates.

Each session was attended by a diverse group of member representatives, providing a great opportunity to network and share tips with each other on their respective strengths.

Thanks to Tamara and the Daniels Fund for hosting our Seminars. It's a great place for nonprofits to hold meetings and they were able to accommodate all our audio/video and space needs.

- Kyle

Notes from the Road: Road Trip Part II

2007-04-24T08:17:00.000-06:00

DAY TWO: 9:00 a.m.; Durango - A beautiful morning in Durango! As with most Colorado towns, it has grown signficantly since I was last there in 2001. I met with Ryan Demmy Bidwell, ED of Colorado WILD. CW works on protecting the natural resources of Colorado for its citizens. They focus on logging projects and ski area development issues.

CW has been instrumental in preventing the Village at Wolf Creek development (known locally as "the Pillage") from going foward. This real estate project is the brainchild of Red McCombs, a billionaire from Texas. He wants to build a very dense, 2200 unit "village" at 10,000 feet in the middle of a major watershed and habitat area. It reeks of political influence and good old boy backscratching. For those of you who haven't been over Wolf Creek Pass, think a more rugged, narrow version of Bethoud Pass with more severe weather. Call Ryan at 970-385-9833 if there is something you can do to help. They can always use pro bono legal work.

10:30 a.m.; The Million Dollar Highway - Winter is still happening in the high country! Great to see all that snowpack as I drove from Durango to Ouray. One of the prettiest drives in Colorado, it can also be a little much if you are prone to car sickness. There are signs like this every 100 yards.

2:30 p.m.; Paonia - I arrive at the world HQ of KVNF, Mountain Public Radio in Paonia. Paonia is on the road between Delta and Carbondale, southwest of McClure Pass. This is one of my favorite areas in Colorado. Sally Kane, the general manager of KVNF, gave me the grand tour of KVNF's new facility. It is a "green" building that truly integrates "community" and "radio" into one physical space. You can listen to their station at 99.1 FM or via a streaming broadcast over the internet. I really enjoyed visiting with Sally to learn about the joys and challenges of running a community radio station on the Western Slope. The state of the art facility is bright and full of energy. Volunteer DJ's have a gigantic volume of music to select from and local musical talent (including Joe Cocker) use the studio for live sessions. Call Sally at 970-527-4866 or visit their website to become a member!

This trip reminded me of the essence of Community Shares... a diverse family of nonprofits working hard to improve our quality of life and build community in Colorado! It also inspired me to continue to plan for expansion of Community Shares in order for us to achieve a more effective statewide presence to grow philanthropy and connect Coloradans to the causes and charities they care about most.

- Jesse

Notes from the Road: Colorado Road Trip!

2007-04-20T13:25:00.000-06:00

Look out Jack Kerouac! I had the pleasure of driving 861 miles around the southwest quarter of Colorado earlier this week to visit several of our member agencies that operate outside of the the Denver metro area...

DAY ONE: 8:02 a.m.; Ellicott - With gale force winds drowning out most of her words, Donna Ralph gave me a tour of the Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. They rehabilitate and care for injured wild birds and small mammals for purposes of release and education. These animals really get the best care possible. For example, it turns out that a Turkey Vulture they have will only eat road kill. Donna has to secure this special chow every couple of days. Here is a photo as a bird of prey takes a "fly by" over my head thinking that I may a decent meal. Ellicott wants to install "critter cams" in each holding area. Give them a call at 719-683-8152 if you can help. 9:58 a.m.; Colorado Springs - I'm on time and keeping a tight schedule. Inside/Out Youth Services educates and advocates for LGBT youth ages 13-22. Dr. Deborah Surat is the new ED of Inside/Out and comes to Colorado Springs from the Cayman Islands of all places! They serve over 400 youth annually and now have a huge drop-in center to help meet demand for the program. 10:47 a.m.; Colorado Springs - I drop in unannounced on Jeff Briggs of the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission. Jeff updated me on the latest developments at PPJPC including a small incident at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Colorado Springs. Apparently certain officials felt that St. Patrick, himself a victim of conflict, would have been against any discussion of peace at such a public event. 11:05 a.m.; Colorado Springs - A little late, I rev up the Honda and head east to the new location of the Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center. The Center has over 3,000 square feet of space to serve their support service and advocacy efforts. Ryan Acker, ED of the Center, told me that this was just slightly more square footage than the 300 sq. feet they had in their old location. The grand opening for the Center is on Friday, May 4th from 6-9 p.m. 12:10 p.m.; Colorado Springs - I'm really late now. The Citizens Project, which works on civic engagement, equal rights, and respect for diversity, is also in new office space. After a wrong turn into the local War Veterans clinic lobby, I managed to find my way to visit with the CP team of Barb Ferrill van Hoy and Christina Student. They are working on an exciting collaborative in Colorado Springs called the Diversity Forum which includes corporate, government and nonprofit members. 1:05 p.m.; Colorado Springs - Katie Groke Ellis, public affairs coordinator for Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, caught up at one of their women's health care facilities in Colorado Springs. I know Katie is working hard to mitigate damage to women's health and safety from this week's US Supreme Court decision. 1:43 p.m. After brief stop for a Mountain Dew and package of beer nuts, I head to Durango for DAY TWO of the road trip! To be continued....

- Jesse

Notes from the Road: Ride that Bike!

2007-04-04T15:32:00.000-06:00

Did you know that 1/3 of all Coloradans can't or won't drive a vehicle? This is 1.5 million people that need to use public transportation, walk, or bicycle to reach their destination.

I had a great visit with Dan Grunig, Executive Director of Bicycle Colorado last week. Click on this link to hear a short interview with Dan. Bicycle Colorado is a longtime Community Shares member agency. Their mission is to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions, and provide a voice for cyclists in Colorado.

When you think about it, using a bicycle reduces wear and tear on our roads, increases the health of the population, reduces air pollution, and decreases our energy dependence just to name a few benefits.

One way you can support Bicycle Colorado is to buy a "Share the Road" license plate when you license your car. Give Dan a call at 303-417-1544 if there is something you can do to help.

- Jesse

Handcuffs

2007-03-26T22:26:00.000-06:00

Imagine a business forced to spend 90 cents of every investment dollar on the production of its widget. There would only be a tiny residual budget left for retaining quality personnel, marketing, new product development, financial management, customer service....

This "handcuff" is commonly applied by a funder or donor to a charity. A charity breaks out its budget by program and administration costs. The idea is that the most of the budget should be allocated to "program." A fashionable question donors or funders ask nonprofits is "What is your admin and fundraising percentage?" In other words, how much do you spend on infrastructure vs. program? If the answer is 20% or higher, the common perception is that you are not efficient or effective.

This notion, while well intentioned, is harmful to the continued growth of the sector. Sure, we want a nonprofit organization to invest our donations wisely. As donors we want to see the most bang for the buck, the most food available to malnourished children, the most affordable housing available, the most beds possible in a shelter, the most meals given out at Thanksgiving....

However, 99.9% of the people running the nonprofits that deliver these services want that too. Sure, there are a few bad eggs that misuse donations for high salaries, perks, or other trappings, but the vast majority of people in the sector are completely committed to making the most out of any gift. They understand their obligation to be efficient and effective in their work, delivering measurable results.

So why the overfocus on an organization's administrative costs? David Miller, the CEO of the Denver Foundation, made some outstanding points in an opinion column in the Denver Business Journal a couple of years ago. He wrote, "The infrastructure needed to run a nonprofit agency or a business is an integral part of the organization. It is impossible to produce high quality products or programs without quality planning, financial management, marketing, personnel, and other 'backoffice" operations." He went on to say that costs are important but not determinative. "The cities with the smallest police department budgets rarely have the lowest crime rate; Sports teams with lowest player salaries rarely win the World Series or Super Bowl."

David's commentary is right on the money. Donors should respond to results and achievement of mission. Paying attention to costs is important but should not be the overriding reason to make an investment. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is true in the noprofit sector just like anywhere else.

Don't handcuff your favorite charity working on a cause you care deeply about. Give them unrestricted funds to invest where they have the greatest need. Hold them accountable to delivering meaningful, tangible results. If they don't deliver, then invest your money elsewhere.

- Jesse

Monday Morning

2007-03-19T08:18:00.000-06:00

I try to catch up on my reading over the weekends... I start out strong (up at 7 a.m. reading three weeks' worth of The Economist) but fade quickly (falling asleep at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday while tucking the boys in bed). However, I did come across an interesting article this past weekend and it reminded me of a few things. onPhilanthropy posted their "The Year in onPhilanthropy: The Biggest Stories of 2006" a few weeks ago. Their list in order:

1. Warren Buffett
2. Clinton Global Initiative
3. Google
4. Richard Branson
5. Celebrities
6. Senator Charles Grassley
7. Cause Marketing
8. The Nobel (Grameen Bank)
9. Blogs and Media
10. Don't Compete, Collaborate.

Some of these stories will have staying power (collaboration) and some will not (celebrities). However, what is important to remember is that philanthropy is core value in America. We are the most generous nation in the world and that is something to take pride in, to nurture, and to grow. We give about 2% of our nation's GDP to "charity" each year! This amounted to over $275 billion invested in 2005 in the independent/nonprofit sector both here and abroad. The next closest country is Canada at just over 1% of GDP. 75% of this annual giving comes from individuals like you and me. We don't get headlines, we don't have a product to sell, we just want to help out.

We are also a nation of volunteers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 61 million Americans volunteer an average of 52 hours of time annually (over $16.3 TRILLION dollars of donated time at $5.15 per hour minimum wage).

The point is that inspired philanthropy and volunteerism are a key thread to the fabric of our society. It helps make this country tick. It makes a huge difference in quality of life, both in the US and globally. People are identifying who and what they want to support with their time and money in a meaningful way. It is your hard earned money and you can make a social investment with high returns.

The return is most people will use a service provided by a nonprofit/charity over their lifetime. That could mean using a low cost health clinic, needing hospice care, hiking/fishing on protected open space, a better education for your kids, fresh drinking water, relief from a natural disaster, attending a community theatre performance, and the list goes on.

You probably won't make an annual Top 10 List of philanthropic headlines (unless you bought Berkshire Hathaway stock in 1968!), but you already know how important your contribution is. That is the beauty of "inspired philanthropy", where good ideas, inspiration, a lot of hard work, and a core value of giving can lead to great things.

- Jesse

Notes from the Road: Reducing your waste size...

2007-03-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

I made the white knuckle trip up the turnpike to Boulder yesterday. It is a weird feeling to be in "stop and go" traffic with an average speed of 65 mph! However, the trip was worth it as the destination was Eco-Cycle's annual Zero Waste awards luncheon honoring businesses that have comprehensive programs to drastically reduce their refuse.

Eco-Cycle is one of the largest nonprofit recyclers in the US and is known for its innovative approaches to reduce our impact on the environment. They started out with being the first curbside recycler in Boulder. Here is a quick streaming video on Eco-Cycle.

You can bring almost anything to their CHaRM recycling center at 5030 Old Pearl Street. In addition, Eco-Cycle also has an amazing recycling plant where tons of materials enters a conveyor belt on the front end and just a trickle of unuseable trash comes out the back end. Set up a tour of that facility with your kids or classroom! It is really cool.

Zero Waste is now a primary focus of Eco-Cycle. It is a paradigm shift where all facets of the product pipeline from materials, production, seller, and end consumer contribute to making a product and its collateral completely resuseable. The goal is that nothing gets thrown away. It can all be reused. Please watch this Zero Waste video to learn more. Call Anne Mudgett at 303-444-7826 and maybe there is something you can do to help.

- Jesse

Notes From the Road: Kids in Denver need YOU!

2007-03-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Colorado is known for its highly educated workforce. We are second or third in the country in terms of college degrees per capita. However, it is disturbing that most of our educated workforce is moving in from out of state. In other words, we aren't doing a great job of creating an ongoing pipeline of educated workers from within. There are many reasons for this including the fact that Colorado ranks almost dead last in terms of public funding for higher ed.

Another important factor is our high school drop out rate. Our largest school district, Denver Public Schools, has a high school dropout rate of nearly 40% with a couple of its high schools at over 50%! Hard to believe but nearly 4 out of 10 ninth graders won't graduate from high school in DPS. The new leadership at DPS has a strong plan to help mitigate the dropout rate which, among many things, includes a community wide call for youth mentors to help kids stay in school!

Colorado Youth at Risk (CYAR) has been a long time member of Community Shares. They have paired over 2,500 kids with adult mentors over the past 14 years. CYAR is part of the Youth Mentoring Collaborative in Denver. This unique partnership includes CYAR; Big Brothers, Big Sisters and other youth mentoring organizations. One of the great aspects to CYAR is they provide both initial and then ongoing training to its cohort of mentors so they feel well equipped to provide support to the kids. Have a listen to this short interview with CYAR's Executive Director, Hollen Ferrendelli, on the rewards of mentoring if you have time...

Becoming an adult mentor can be a very rewarding experience and Denver's kids need mentors more than ever! It is estimated there are over 35,000 "at risk" kids in DPS from single parent, low income households. CYAR has 40 kids in its program at any one time. If you would like to support Colorado Youth at Risk or become a mentor, please call Hollen Ferrendelli at 303-623-9140.

-Jesse

Notes from the Road: Ten Bucks to say "Aahh"

2007-02-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

$10 will buy you a couple of venti lattes or 4 gallons of gas OR...

The award winning Clinica Tepeyac provides a full spectrum of health care services for $10 a visit. That's right. Ten bucks pays for a full doctor's visit. As is typical of a nonprofit, community based health care provider, Clinica generates less than 10% of its revenue from client fees and fundraises to make up for the rest.

David Lack, Executive Director, calls Clinica an additional "safety net" under the primary health care "safety nets" in the Denver Metro Area. Located in the Globeville neighborhood (North of I-70; East of I-25) in close vicinity to a community garden, school, and rec center, Clinica provided affordable health care to over 7,000 patients in 2006 and expects that number will grow significantly in 2007. With six exam rooms, a full time doctor, a part time PA, full support staff, and an onsite lab and pharmacy, Clinica Tepeyac delivers quality health care to the uninsured at an incredible price!

David is an expert on national health care issues that affect us all (cost, insurance, quality of care, etc.) and sheds light on the subject in this recorded interview. If you have 15 minutes, take a listen! If you are a health care professional who would like to donate time/services to Clinica please call David at 303-583-0148 or email him.

- Jesse

Notes from the Road: Hoopin' it up...

2007-02-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I was invited to come to a basketball tournament at Bruce Randolph Middle School with one of the Colorado HAWKS teams playing in it. I brought my two boys to the game and they have never been so quiet! They were in awe of the very tall 12 and 13 year olds playing some great basketball. I'm 6'2' and felt small too. However, if that is what it takes to get the Wolff brothers to take a break from the seemingly continual conversation we have, I'll bring them back every weekend to watch a game.

Greg Willis is the ED of the program and was also coaching the team. I met many of the kids on the team and came away impressed with their confidence, maturity, and politeness (as well as how talented they are). The sense of community was strong in the gym with a constant buzz of conversation between the kids, coaches, and parents. It was just a great example of how athletics at a local level can help build community and build lives.

The mission of the Colorado Hawks is to create an opportunity and an alternative to gangs for at-risk, disadvantaged youth. They provide a year-round, culturally diverse, educational and basketball program for 200 boys and girls aged 10-17 years. The program draws to it youth who need assistance academically and socially to achieve self-sufficiency and productive lives. The ninth and tenth graders practice and compete April through August, and then play on their high school team September through March. The fifth through eighth graders play year-round. In 2002, over 80% of the kids in the program received college scholarships. Westword named it the best nonprofit athletic progam in Denver in 2004 and HAWKS won the El Pomar Foundation Award for Excellence in 2005! Check out their website at www.coloradohawks.org or give Greg a call at (303) 393-4475 to see how you can help.

- Jesse

Notes from the Road: Family Self Sufficiency

2007-02-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to visit with Stride today. Located just north of Alameda and Sheridan in Lakewood, Stride has been helping families (90% are single parent) achieve economic self sufficiency for 16 years. They take the long term approach to helping a family move from poverty ($18,000 per year for a family of four) to financial independence. Stride assigns caseworkers to a family for three years to help them permanently exit from the poverty cycle. The Stride program provides some initial money for removing emergency finanical needs but then focuses on providing the family with someplace to go (transitional housing) and connections to services, education and jobs, etc. What impresses me is their very high success rate (500 families served with 70% staying out of poverty). The three year commitment is what they feel it takes for a family to become self sufficient. The leverage can be huge as the grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren are all effected in a positive way and for the long term! Visit www.stride-co.org to see how you can help a proud family get on its feet again. As many of you realize, there is a very fine line (much finer than we often think) between the "haves" and "have nots". It doesn't take much (a medical condition leading to huge bills, a lost job, divorce, etc.) to land someone in a difficult predicament financially.

- Jesse

Habitat House: warmer weather makes all the difference!

2007-02-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

You may have read about the Community Shares’ staff Habitat experience on Thursday, February 1 – it was cold, grey and started snowing at about 2:30 pm. Even with longjohns on under our jeans and ski socks, we were still cold and shaking. I wasn’t sure if this was for me – at least not in February! However, the weather took a turn for the better, and after volunteering on Thursday, Saturday was absolute heaven. The weather was warm, the sun was shining and there was a very productive energy in the air.

The weather was only part of what made volunteering Saturday a wonderful and satisfying experience. The volunteers were all my friends – I recruited, and they came. (Does “If you build it, they will come” apply here?) Many of the crowd already knew each other. Those that didn’t were quickly welcomed and by the end of the day, we were all sharing jokes about the movie “Talladega Nights.”

Everyone donned their fancy safety goggles and hard hats, and this time, we actually put the correct names on our hard hats. (Kyle had the name “Mary” on his hat on Thursday and never responded when people called him that name!) We figured out that if you take off your stocking cap and wear your hardhat directly on your head, it doesn’t fall off as easily when you lean over. There is a lot of leaning over when you are hammering window frames, door frames and wall frames! (And since all of the subflooring was secured down, I couldn’t lose my hardhat in the crawl space, as I had on Thursday.)

Seven wall frames were built, and six of those had to have windows and/or doors put into them. Again, very satisfying to start with just subflooring at the beginning of the day and end the day with 7 walls up – ok, 6 walls and one wall frame -- satisfying nonetheless.

Part of what also made it such a great day is the supervisors that are employed by Habitat – they are not only skilled in home construction, but they are really good at working with people like me who don’t use a hammer on a regular basis and who have no idea how to read a home blueprint design. It takes a special kind of person to get 5 giggly women – two with gorgeous fingernails – to use all of their arm strength to build frames and lift up heavy pieces of plywood. Many of us had sore arms the next day. At one point, the side of the duplex with the most women volunteers had more walls up than our guy friends on the other side – and we made sure to point that out to them.

As I wrap up, I want to once again thank my friends for all of their hard work and incredible energy. Thanks also to the Habitat guys – Spencer, Brady and Adam, who put up with our silly jokes all day, and still motivated us to build 7 walls from scratch. Thanks to Habitat for all the good work they do, and for providing this opportunity.

- Mary