The Colorado Nonprofit Association joined its thousands of members and supporters across the state to celebrate Colorado Nonprofit Week on March 16-20. This annual event recognizes the vital contributions nonprofit organizations make to our communities every day:
Nonprofit organizations are essential to children, families and our local communities.
They serve children and youth by providing child care and health services, nutritional assistance, tutoring time, recreational opportunities, scholarships and guidance on home safety.
They strengthen families through coordinating job training programs, providing emergency shelter and transitional housing, counseling, conducting research on illnesses and advocating for family members with special needs.
Nonprofits enrich our communities by preserving open space, protecting animals, running arts and cultural centers, and supporting faith and spirituality.
The economic impact of the nonprofit sector is great. According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, as of February, Colorado has 13,723 public charities and 1,597 private foundations. Colorado’s nonprofits represent $23.5 billion in revenue and $56.8 billion in assets. All of these resources are committed to ensuring our state and our communities thrive.
Yet, nonprofits face challenges. In a statewide 2014 survey, 80 percent reported that demand for services and programs increased over the previous year. While 68 percent expected to meet or exceed their revenue goals, almost one-third felt they would fall short. Like most businesses, many nonprofits tried new strategies to increase revenue or cut expenses.
Despite these efforts, some nonprofits simply will end up doing more with less. Colorado Nonprofit Association is pursuing new strategies to help nonprofits increase revenues and invest resources for the future. This includes working with the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado to draft legislation to allow individual taxpayers to receive a Colorado income tax credit for donations to a charitable endowment fund. If enacted, this bill would allow donors to make donations that will grow in value over time and provide sustainable funding to support the important community services nonprofits provide.
To find out more about what nonprofit organizations are doing in Colorado, visit the Colorado Nonprofit Association (www.coloradononprofits.org). Thank you Colorado nonprofits!
Renny Fagan, chief executive officer and president, Colorado Nonprofit Association
Denver
