With new name and updated mission, Philanthropy Colorado leads statewide network

Monday, September 23, 2019

News Release: Sept. 23, 2019

Contact: Joanne Kelley, CEO, jkelley@philanthropycolorado.org, 720.212.0433

DENVER - Philanthropy Colorado, formerly the Colorado Association of Funders, has announced a new name to better reflect its membership and mission.

“As we’ve continued to evolve and grow, we found we needed a name that better represents our statewide network’s generous spirit,” said Joanne Kelley, CEO of Philanthropy Colorado. “Our new name aims to inspire and also be more inclusive of the many types of givers striving to address key challenges facing Coloradans.”

Philanthropy Colorado serves as a leader and partner in building connections and collaborations on behalf of the philanthropic sector, the broader nonprofit community and the people of Colorado. Founded almost a half-century ago by a small group of charitable foundations, Philanthropy Colorado offers training, education, peer networks and advocacy for an increasingly diverse spectrum of organizations and individuals making significant charitable contributions to improve the lives of Coloradans. 

Membership in Philanthropy Colorado is open to private, family and community foundations, corporate funders, federated funds and workplace giving programs, government agencies, donor-advised funds, individual philanthropists, and philanthropy-serving advisors and consultants. The organization works closely with its nonprofit partners on programs aimed at strengthening the overall nonprofit sector, which generates $40 billion in annual economic impact and creates 330,000 jobs, according to a 2019 study commissioned by Philanthropy Colorado in partnership with several other organizations. 

Philanthropy Colorado is part of a national network known as United Philanthropy Forum, which itself recently changed its name. The Forum’s members include national philanthropy-serving organizations, as well as regional networks that have rebranded as Philanthropy Delaware, Philanthropy Massachusetts, Philanthropy New York, Philanthropy Northwest, Philanthropy Ohio, Philanthropy Southwest and Philanthropy West Virginia, among others.  

“Our new identity aims to align us with our colleagues across the country,” said Amy Latham, Philanthropy Colorado Board Chair and Vice President, Philanthropy at The Colorado Health Foundation. “Our field recognizes the power of working together on a unified front to advance our causes and make progress on health, education and other critical issues.”

Philanthropy Colorado’s mission is to strengthen Colorado communities by bringing people, information and resources together. The majority of its 90-plus members are Colorado-based foundations, which contribute a combined $1 billion a year to nonprofit charities.

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