Southwest Colorado’s nonprofit sector is entering a period of uncertainty as organizations brace for changes in state and federal funding, new employment laws and shifting donor trends.
To help address those challenges, the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is rolling out a slate of workshops and initiatives this fall aimed at strengthening local nonprofits.
“Our mission is to help promote the nonprofit sector and give it the resources it needs to not just survive, but thrive,” said Kim Cassells, community outreach manager for the Community Foundation.
The foundation is a philanthropic organization that connects donors with local causes and supports nonprofits in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties.
It has heard from nonprofits across the five-county region that funding is becoming less predictable, with state and federal dollars in flux. Meanwhile, Colorado employment law changes have added new administrative burdens for small organizations that often lack full-time human resources staff, Cassells said.
“Sometimes it’s one of those situations where you don’t know what you don’t know,” she said. “These new policies can be confusing, and nonprofits asked us for help understanding them.”
Among the fall offerings is a weekly “HR Power Hour,” where attorneys will walk participants through new state employment requirements. The sessions are taught by three lawyers who are donating their time as a form of community service, and nonprofits pay only a small registration fee.
The foundation is also partnering with consultants on a two-part financial literacy workshop designed to help organizations diversify revenue streams, strengthen strategic planning and prepare for funding shortfalls.
At the same time, the Community Foundation is gearing up for Southwest Colorado Gives Day, part of the statewide Colorado Gives campaign. The online giving platform allows donors to give directly to local nonprofits, with no cost for organizations to join.
The regional program has grown rapidly in recent years according to Cassels. In 2023, nonprofits raised nearly $894,000, up from about $663,000 in 2022.
With so many nonprofits dependent on grants and donations, leaders say building financial resilience is critical.
“Yes, there’s uncertainty right now,” Cassels said. “But our attitude is that we’ve got work to do. We don’t want to dwell on the challenges. We want to be proactive and keep moving forward.”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
A previous version of this story incorrectly said regional nonprofits raised $675,000 for Colorado Gives Day in 2022. The Durango Herald was provided with incorrect information.
