As we enter the season of giving, it’s worth remembering what makes Southwest Colorado such a special place. Our strength has always come from how we care for one another. We donate, volunteer and celebrate the local nonprofits that make our communities stronger. But behind the scenes, many of these organizations are running on fumes with small teams working long hours to keep vital programs going. The not-so-secret truth is that many are struggling just to keep the lights on. Like so many government agencies, nonprofits are constantly being asked to do more with less. The difference is that when nonprofits stretch too thin, real people like our neighbors, students and families feel the impact.
At the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, we see this reality every day. Our mission is to connect schools, colleges and local businesses so students can explore careers and imagine a future right here at home. That means planning with teachers, coordinating with employers, organizing career events and driving across four counties to make it all happen. Yet the grants that fund our programs rarely cover the basics like staff time, insurance, technology or even the gas it takes to reach the communities we serve. These “behind-the-scenes” costs may not sound exciting, but without them, programs stall, partnerships fade and students lose opportunities.
This season of giving, I hope you’ll consider supporting local nonprofits differently by funding their ability to operate. Supporting general operations isn’t flashy, but it’s essential. It helps organizations retain staff members, respond quickly to community needs and plan for the future. It’s an investment in the people who turn good ideas into lasting impact: the coordinators, mentors and staff members who make programs possible. Local giving also keeps money here at home, where they do the most good. Every contribution supports local jobs, strengthens programs and builds a more connected, resilient Southwest Colorado.
Imagine if more donors, businesses and local governments viewed operational support not as an extra, but as a smart investment. Nonprofits could spend less time chasing short-term grants and more time delivering long-term solutions. It’s easy to assume that because a nonprofit has a strong mission or visible programs, it must be fully funded. But too often, organizations are piecing together temporary grants, juggling budgets and relying on the dedication of overworked staff just to stay afloat. The work continues only because people care deeply enough to keep showing up, even when resources run thin.
This giving season, your support can change that. When you donate unrestricted funds, that can be used for staff, operations and everyday needs, plus you’re saying, “I trust you to know what this community needs most.” That trust gives nonprofits the flexibility to respond when opportunities arise or crises hit, without waiting for permission from a grant administrator. Doing good isn’t free. But when we invest in the people and systems that hold our communities together, everyone wins.
This holiday season, let’s give generously and wisely. Let’s support the nonprofits that make Southwest Colorado thrive, not only for the programs we see, but for the unseen work that makes them possible. Because when our local nonprofits are strong, so is our community.
Patrick Fredricks is the interim executive director of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative. Reach him at pfredricks@swcoedcollaborative.org.
