Colorado Gives Day Key Messages

Colorado Gives Day features The Incentive Fund, created by Community First Foundation and FirstBank. It is one of the largest gives-day incentive funds in the country.

Every donation made through ColoradoGives.org on Colorado Gives Day is boosted by the fund, which increases the value of every dollar. For example, if a nonprofit organization receives 10 percent of the total donations made on Colorado Gives Day, that same nonprofit receives 10 percent of the The Million Incentive Fund.

*Note: The Incentive Fund is not a dollar-for-dollar match. Please do not use the word “match” when promoting the day. See below for key points.

1. The Incentive Fund is a pool of dollars that increases the value of every donation made through ColoradoGives.org on Colorado Gives Day. Community First Foundation and FirstBank contributed $500,000 each to the fund.
2. Every donation made through ColoradoGives.org on Colorado Gives Day is boosted by the incentive fund. For example, if a nonprofit organization receives 10 percent of the total donations made on Colorado Gives Day, that same nonprofit receives 10 percent of the $1 Million Incentive Fund.

The Colorado Gives Day Incentive Fund is one of the largest gives-day incentive funds in the country.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that’s unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Whether you’re giving your voice, your time, goods, or your money, helping others or working for the causes you care about, generosity is one of the most powerful ways you can have an impact in the world.

How does Colorado participate in GivingTuesday since it’s just a week before Colorado Gives Day?

For our organization, Colorado Gives Day is a chance to show Colorado’s nonprofits how much we value and appreciate the work they do in our communities every day. We use Colorado Gives Day to introduce our employees and others to philanthropy and the power of giving locally.

• Last year, during a global pandemic and one of the most difficult years of our lifetime, Coloradans rallied to raise more than $50 million on Colorado Gives Day.  Generosity is a universally-held value that brings us together.
• Studies show that being generous can make us happier, it can make a difference our communities and it inspires generosity in others. It lets us come closer together and build stronger communities. Now, more than ever, we need to magnify and celebrate these values that bring us together and create joy.
• Colorado Gives Day donations are accepted at ColoradoGives.org, which features the missions, programs and finances of more than 2,900 Colorado nonprofits. Each organization’s online profile is screened by Community First Foundation to ensure specific standards are met before they are added to the program.
• Colorado Gives Day unites all Coloradans in a common goal to strengthen the state’s nonprofits by giving to their favorite charities online. The state’s largest community giving movement has raised a total of $307 million since its inception in 2010.
• All Coloradans are encouraged to join the statewide Colorado Gives Day movement by supporting their favorite causes online through ColoradoGives.org. Give Where You Live on Colorado Gives Day, December 8, 2020. .
• Colorado Gives Day. It’s more than just a day. It’s a movement that inspires and unites thousands of donors to give where they live and support Colorado nonprofits.
• Donations can be scheduled ahead of time, starting on November 1, 2021.

• Colorado Gives Day is a great day for nonprofits, schools, and religious organizations to fundraise.
• Partner with local businesses to get their employees involved in a giving campaign. Ask small businesses to pool funds to provide a match, host an event, donate product, or volunteer – they possibilities are endless.
• Rally some of your supporters to run a Fundraising Page to support your nonprofit. We’ve seen many record-breaking giving days come out of Colorado Gives Day when these Fundraising Pages connect your supporter’s social circles with your work. They are a great way to reach that next tier of donors who might not be familiar with your mission.
• Connect your Colorado Gives Day efforts to your end-of-year or holiday campaign. Use Colorado Gives Day as the start of the giving season.

Share these instructions with donors to schedule donations beginning Nov. 1.