Check out PRE’s (Philanthropic Racial Equity) latest report, Mismatched: Philanthropy’s Response to the Call for Racial Justice

Published:

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

The Denver Foundation's Latinos Impacting our Future Together (L.I.F.T.) accepting proposal through October 1st

Published:

Monday, September 20, 2021

The Colorado Health Foundation shares the results of Pulse: 2021 results during webinar this week

Published:

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Western Colorado Community Foundation accepting applications for local community funds

Published:

Friday, September 03, 2021

Latino Community Foundation of Colorado hosts webinar session for upcoming Colorado Communities of Color Loan Fund application

Published:

Monday, August 23, 2021

The Change Philanthropy 2020 Diversity Among Philanthropic Professionals report released

Published:

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

The collaborative grant-making program Arts in Society is accepting applications

Published:

Friday, July 09, 2021

Recording of last week's panelist discussing equity in philanthropy hosted by Philanthropy Colorado & Tattered Cover Book Store

Published:

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Western Colorado Community Foundation grant applications open today

Published:

Monday, May 17, 2021

Colorado Media Project helps fund Colorado Community Media partnership

Source:

Colorado Media Project

Published:

Monday, May 10, 2021

Colorado Media Project, a grant-funded initiative that advocates for journalistic innovation funds a partnership of 24 community newspapers around Colorado.

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Recent Blog

Resources & Highlights from September Impact Investing Forum

Monday, September 12, 2022

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Giving Voice Blog

In early September, the Impact Investing Forum held a hybrid meeting focused on housing investment strategies. The quarterly Forum provides a peer space for Philanthropy Colorado members interested in sharing and learning about investments intended to create a beneficial social or environmental impact along with a financial return.

A heartfelt thanks to The Colorado Health Foundation and Dr. Ben Bynum for serving as our meeting hosts and providing catering from their partner entrepreneurs at Taco Block. The Forum featured presentations from several innovative affordable housing organizations and projects, including Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), IndieDwell, Colorado Housing Accelerator Initiative, 4Points Funding and Blue Room Housing.

The funder group and visitors discussed various opportunities to provide capital and guarantees to support affordable housing development, as well as a coming ballot measure that would establish a permanent revenue stream for affordable and accessible housing in Colorado.

Presentation materials:

Resources shared:

Amy Swiatek, Director of Rural and Statewide Partnerships with Philanthropy Colorado provided: San Luis Valley housing study: https://sites.google.com/slvhc.com/slvhc/housing-study
Co-Chair, Santhosh Ramdoss with Gary Ventures provided a summary of important housing legislation being introduced: https://makecoloradoaffordable.com/

While excited by the featured housing projects, a key concern was how to accelerate the pace and scope of new affordable housing developments, which fall well short of the need in our state.

To join the Impact Investment meetings and listserv, please contact info@philanthropycolorado.org

Foundations of Colorado Report on Private Non-operating Foundations

Monday, September 12, 2022

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Foundations of Colorado, a new report by University of Colorado Denver Public Affairs professor Todd Ely, provides a fresh analysis of private non-operating foundations in Colorado. The report is highlighted in a dedicated Foundations of Colorado website.

University of Colorado at Denver Public Affairs professor Todd Ely talks about his new Foundations of Colorado report in this exclusive Q&A.

Q: What was something in the results that surprised you?

Response:
Geography of grantmaking: While I knew a foundation’s location is tied to the geographic focus of giving, I was surprised to find that Colorado grantees received more than 77% of grants and 73% of grant dollars from the state’s largest foundations. This share of giving remaining local is higher than numbers I’ve seen in other places. Many of Colorado’s foundations, like the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation of Pueblo or The Outcalt Foundation based in Alamosa, are tightly linked geographically to the work they do. More than half of the largest 100 foundations primarily or almost exclusively make grants to Colorado recipients (more than 79% of total grant dollars).

Alternatives to traditional grantmaking remain relatively rare: Although still fairly uncommon, some of Colorado’s foundations engage in alternatives to traditional grantmaking that include Program-Related Investments (PRIs) and Mission Related Investments (MRIs), as well as screening of endowment investments for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. These practices to leverage assets beyond annual payouts are extremely promising, but the additional capacity required may limit broader adoption without creative supports.

Q: What are a few key takeaways for the foundation community?

Response:
Publicly available data allow us to consider Colorado’s foundations on a number of meaningful dimensions including how they compare nationally, the concentration of assets, grantmaking patterns, payout rates, estimated economic impact, transparency, and innovative practices. We hope that the information provides some new insights into foundation activity for those doing the work on a daily basis, while also helping to educate the public about foundations.

A national perspective: When compared to other states, Colorado’s number of foundations and foundation assets per capita closely align with Colorado’s population rather than the state’s relatively high median household income. Colorado’s foundation assets per capita of $2,686 rank 21^st among the states, which sits above the national median of $1,922, but below the average of $3,008.

Asset concentration: Foundation assets in Colorado, like elsewhere, are heavily concentrated among the largest foundations. The largest 100 foundations by asset size represent 84% of the state’s total foundation assets. The 10 largest foundations hold more than half, 55%, of all foundation assets in Colorado.

Grantmaking patterns: The study used IRS filings to compile nearly 10,000 individual grants made in a single year by Colorado’s 100 largest nonoperating private foundations. The most common grant amount was $10,000, while the average grant amount exceeded $50,000. The variation in giving patterns across foundations is striking with the median foundation making only 36 grants in a year, but the number of grants made ranging from only 1 to a high of 2,248.

Q: The report is intended to inform the public about Colorado grantmaking. How can Philanthropy Colorado and our foundation members build on that goal?

Response:
Reporting on grantmaking activity by the numbers is a start but tells us little about the effectiveness of foundation activities in Colorado. During our study, we saw examples of impact reporting that begin to demonstrate the outcomes of foundation grantmaking but showcasing the successes and failures of grantmaking to the public may require more storytelling than just numbers. Opportunities include the need for in-depth case studies that tell the stories of Colorado’s foundations for a public audience.

Foundations remain a mystery to many. While this might be preferred by some foundations, improved transparency has the potential to improve public trust, collaboration among peers, learning about promising practices, and connections with grantees. We found more than half of Colorado’s largest non-operating foundations host websites, although the comprehensiveness of information provided varies widely.

Highlight: Rural Funders Learning Network in San Luis Valley

Monday, August 29, 2022

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Over twenty-five individuals from Colorado foundation and state funder organizations joined Philanthropy Colorado for a visit to the San Luis Valley (SLV) in mid-August. The SLV visit is part of Philanthropy Colorado’s on-going efforts to facilitate meaningful relationships between funders and rural communities in our state. Multi-day visits allow current and potential funders to better understand how philanthropy can best partner with these communities. The event was organized in partnership with the co-chairs of Philanthropy Colorado’s Rural Funders Learning Network (RFLN) Advisory Committee, Amy Latham with the Colorado Health Foundation and Tony Lewis with the Donnell-Kay Foundation, and the Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley.

Ft. Garland Museum in San Luis Valley

Education pavilion at Rio Grande Farm Park

Funders listen and learn from community members

Funders had the opportunity to visit a variety of locations in the valley, including:

Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center, Fort Garland
Rio Grande Farm Park, Alamosa
The Barn at Manzanilla Farm, Alamosa
Ef’s Restaurant, Alamosa
Center Viking Youth Club, Center
Center Theater (under renovation), Center
Town of Center and Youth Enterprise Zone walking tour

Most importantly, the visit allowed grantmakers to meet face-to-face and break bread with community members, organizations and local leaders. The conversations deepened our understanding of the history and culture of the valley, effective philanthropy, key community assets and challenges, and current and emerging local projects. Funders valued the opportunity to enjoy the diversity and beauty of the San Luis Valley communities for themselves – and to eat lots of great local food.

Local band at The Barn

These visits are the r

Grantmakers connect with local youth

esult of significant planning and networking, driven by the RFLN Advisory Committee. The many months of relationship-building and development that went into the SLV trip were evident in the authentic, rich conversations and sharing between our SLV community hosts and visiting grantmakers. Philanthropy Colorado's Rural and Statewide Director Amy Swiatek explains “We have built a relationship with the Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley to better understand their work and priorities and to re-ignite an SLV funder cohort to better align resources, connections and understanding of each other’s work.”

Funders gather at a local restaurant to hear from community leaders

SLV_101.jpg

Some of the issues discussed include transforming food consumption in the valley by restoring healthier heritage foods, developing local and inclusive leadership, supporting youth engagement and entrepreneurship, saving historic structures, expanding affordable and attainable housing, balancing recreation and environmental preservation, and strengthening local economies. Amy adds, “We look forward to deeper investment and collaboration in support of the people of the San Luis Valley as a result of these continuing efforts. Onward!”

If you would like to become more engaged with Philanthropy Colorado’s Rural Funders Learning Network, contact Rural and Statewide Director Amy Swiatek.

Inside the Center Theater undergoing rennovations

Housing Affordability and Sustainability in Colorado

Monday, August 1, 2022

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Philanthropy Colorado is highlighting efforts to Reshape Housing Affordability and Sustainability in Colorado, including a discussion this week on housing policy take-aways from the last legislative session and of a current state ballot proposal on dedicated funding for affordable housing.

Funders may be interested in the Colorado General Assembly’s Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Report from February 2022, unveiling the state’s $400 million affordable housing plan.
Common Sense Institute’s Colorado Affordable Housing Trends from March of this year shares valuable findings.

At our coming housing program, Mike Johnson and his team from Gary Community Ventures will share their work on Colorado Ballot Proposal 2021-2022 #108 – Dedicated State Income Tax Revenue for Affordable Housing Programs. The funding proposal would create a state affordable housing fund supported by one-tenth of one percent (one penny on every $10.00) of individual and corporate federal taxable income. The proposal is currently in the signature collection process, with a deadline of August 8, 2022.

Interested in housing issues? Register today for Reshaping Housing Affordability and Sustainability in Colorado | Tuesday, August 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Virtual

PNC Bank: $88 billion Community Benefits Plan Focuses on Housing, Economic Development

Monday, July 11, 2022

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Giving Voice Blog

An $88 billion dollar investment supporting economic opportunity for minority and low-income individuals and communities is the commitment made in PNC’s Community Benefits Plan. The Community Benefits Plan reflects PNC's commitment to addressing systemic racism, promoting social justice and advancing diversity and inclusion within PNC and the broader financial system.

The Community Benefits Plan commitment includes:

PNC Bank Logo

At least $47 billion in residential mortgage and home equity loans;
At least $26.5 billion in small business loans;
At least $14.5 billion in community development loans and investments; and
An increase in PNC’s charitable giving to at least $500 million, including sponsorships and grants.

Ellen Sandberg, Vice President of Community Development Banking in Colorado and New Mexico (and a Philanthropy Colorado board member and co-chair of our Equity Committee), shares more about how their Community Benefits Plan will impact their Colorado giving portfolio.

Headshot of EllenSandberg

“I’m honored to take on a new grant making role at PNC Bank in Colorado focused on affordable housing and small business support. Colorado’s affordable housing and economic development non-profit organizations and Community Development Financial Institutions will be my key partners to help PNC carry out our national $88 Community Benefits Plan that features loans, investments, and other financial support to bolster economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities, people and communities of color, and other underserved individuals and communities over a four-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2022.”

Ellen is featured on Philanthropy Colorado’s current Member Spotlight (scroll down to read Spotlight), where she comments on the value of membership.
"Being a member of Philanthropy Colorado is an important way for PNC and me to stay connected with fellow funders and emerging philanthropic issues in the state. I also recommend joining the peer learning networks to explore issues with colleagues, from arts to early childhood and the needs of Colorado's rural communities."

Join Ellen and register for this Philanthropy Colorado learning program on housing:
Reshaping Housing Affordability and Stability in Colorado | Tuesday, August 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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READ MORE ABOUT THE REPORT AND KEY FINDINGS

Join Ellen and register for this Philanthropy Colorado learning program on housing: Reshaping Housing Affordability and Stability in Colorado | Tuesday, August 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Join Ellen and register for this Philanthropy Colorado learning program on housing:
Reshaping Housing Affordability and Stability in Colorado | Tuesday, August 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.