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Dear friends of CRC:
Changes in the economy mean a changing reality for many nonprofit organizations. While the economic downturn is putting a lot of pressure on nonprofit organizations, these circumstances also open up the opportunity for organizations to become more effective, adaptable, and sustainable. Because many nonprofits receive significant funding from foundations, improving organizational practices around grant fundraising activities is one of these areas of opportunity.
As you will read in our feature article, foundations experienced a decline in assets of around $150 billion last year, leaving a total asset base of $530 billion for the foundation community within the United States. This decline in assets has and will likely continue to result in declines in grant dollars available for nonprofit organizations across the country. Because of the way some foundations calculate how much is available for grant funding, 2010 could be even more challenging for grant fundraising than 2009 has been.
If your organization receives a significant portion of its funding from foundations, what are you doing to protect your organization from having to cut programs, eliminate staff, or take other drastic measures if you lose funding that you cannot make up elsewhere? Read the article below and consult our reading list below for some ideas about how to sustain your fundraising during these difficult economic times. If you need more help, consider taking one of our workshops or calling CRC. One of our skilled consultants can provide affordable assistance to your organization to help ensure your sustainability and continued ability to implement your mission.
Thanks or reading.
Sarah Fischler and Kelleen Zubick
Interim Co-Directors |
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| Smart Strategies for Maintaining Sustainability: Grant Fundraising for 2010 |
Like many nonprofit organizations, CRC receives a significant portion of our funding from Colorado foundations. Overall, we have strong relationships with these funders and they have invested in our programming for many years. We also have the special advantage that one of our programs, Rural Philanthropy Days, helps funders meet some of their goals through participating in these events. Because of these factors, I sometimes get lulled into feeling like CRC is special, that increased competition for foundation funding will not impact us because of these special relationships. Many of you probably are thinking the same thing about your organization. I heard this repeatedly a few weeks ago when Sharon Knight from the Colorado Nonprofit Association and I did trainings in four Colorado communities on financial management and fundraising during difficult times as part of our collaborative Weathering the Storm project. During my part of the training, I stressed the importance of preparing now for what could be an even more difficult 2010 for foundation funding. A number of participants simply didn't want to hear this message because they firmly believe that special circumstances apply to their organization. This line of thinking is a threat to your organization's sustainability. Want to read the full article? Check it out on our blog. |
| The Reading List
Resources for Fundraising from Grants
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Want to learn more about grant writing, grant management, and foundations? Check out these resources:
Colorado Common Application and Report website - contains the forms, a list of funders accepting the CGA and CGR, and a comprehensive user's guide to help you improve your grant applications
CRC's Grant Seeking Clinic - want to learn about grantwriting or improve your grantwriting skills? Sign up for this two and a half day class.
Have another resource to share? Post it on our blog! |
| Upcoming CRC Workshops |
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CRC's workshops are an affordable way to keep up-to-date on nonprofit best practices and current trends. Check out our upcoming workshops below and click on any of the workshop titles to register today!
Weathering the Storm Workshops
Fundraising and Financial Management During Difficult Times
CRC and the Colorado Nonprofit Association are partnering to bring two trainings on fundraising and financial mangement during difficult times across Colorado. We are coming to these locations:
What Participants Get
In addition to each affordably priced training, each participant will receive a comprehensive toolkit full of practical ideas and resources that will help you implement what you learn at the trainings immediately within your organization. Additionally, the presenters will be available for follow-up and coaching after the presentation.
Other CRC WorkshopsGrant Seeking Clinic, July 20, 21, and 21 Nonprofit Financial Management, July 23 Steamboat: Master the New Common Grant Report, August 4 Using Quickbooks in Your Nonprofit, August 6 Montrose: Master the New Common Grant Report, August 6 Introduction to GiftWorks Donor Management, August 18 Akron: Building Dynamic Boards, August 20 Reaching Communities of Color, August 26 Denver: Master the New Common Grant Report, August 27 Powerful Fundraising Boards: Making Money Now!, August 27 Basics of Nonprofit Budgeting, September 10 New to Nonprofits? An Overview, September 23 Building an Individual Donor Program in Tough Times, Sept 30 Denver: Master the New Common Grant Report, November 18 |
| Taking Leadership to New Heights |
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Every year, participants in CRC's year long Colorado Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program are given the opportunity to take advantage of the Professional Leadership Course offered by the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. After returning from this year's 4-day transformational experience, CRC's leader, Kathy Bacon, Director of Dress For Success, gave the following account:
"So we are all supposed to go away for 4 whole days in the mountains for CRC's Leadership and Management Program??? I have done these before - what could possibly be different this time? OK, I am going to fall - everyone just catch me. Been there done that. I looked at my workload and knew that it was going to be hard to walk away from all those loose ends. I also knew I made a promise to myself to see this commitment through and to explore the unknown personally and professionally. The work would be there no matter if I were staying or leaving. I also felt that I needed to form some closer professional ties with the other nonprofit leaders in the program so we could really share our experiences. I had no idea of the profound impact this experience would have on me!
Want to continue reading? Check this out on our blog.
What to share Kathy's experiences? Learn more about CRC's Colorado Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program by visiting CRC's website. |
| Where in Colorado? |
Each month, we feature a photo taken during our travels around Colorado. Last month, we featured this photograph taken from Silver Pick Road near Telluride, Colorado. We had three almost correct guesses (winners, let us know who you are so you can win your prize!).
For this month's "Where in Colorado?" we are inviting guesses on a photo from a different part of Colorado.
The first person to correctly identify the location of this photo by posting it on our blog will receive a free copy of CRC's toolkit, Fundraising: Essential Strategies for Fundraising Success During an Economic Downturn. Need a hint? This location is in one of CRC's 2010 Rural Philanthropy Days regions.
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| Colorado Capital Bank Debuts New Website Full of Resources for Nonprofits! |
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From Colorado Capital Bank, proud sponsor of the Colorado Grants Guide:
Colorado Capital Bank has redesigned and enhanced its website. With a focus on privately-held business and nonprofit organizations, the new website offers dynamic information and numerous resources to assist clients in managing their financial needs and goals and successfully run their business.
The bank has even created a section devoted to providing financial products and services to nonprofits. In addition, a Resource Center provides a library with current articles for running a business or nonprofit organization, an informational section on personal financial matters, an Identity Theft protection center and information on FDIC insurance.
Colorado Capital Bank is a proud sponsor of the Community Resource Center, the Colorado Grants Guide and numerous nonprofits in our communities. We currently serve over 130 nonprofit clients and have eight locations in the Colorado region to serve your nonprofit needs: Boulder, Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver Tech Center, Eagle Ranch, Edwards and Parker. Please visit us at www.coloradocapitalbank.com to find a location nearest you or call us at 1.800.913.5120! We invite you to contact us - our job is to ensure the continued growth and strength of your Nonprofit business. We are committed to your success!
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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| Thank you for reading the E-Line! |
If you have any ideas about future topics that you would like to see covered, please let us know!
Sincerely,
CRC's Staff
Sarah, Kelleen, Carol, Frank, Lauren, Debbie and Marianne | |
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| CRC Has Moved! |
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CRC moved in late May to a great new home in Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross Building.
Please update your records with our new address:
444 Sherman Street
Suite 102
Denver, CO 80203
All of our other contact information is the same.
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| Upcoming Events |
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Northwest Rural Philanthropy Days
September 16 to 18, Steamboat Springs
This event is for nonprofits in Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties.
Click here to learn more or register.
Planning for Southwest and Southeast Rural Philanthropy Days is getting underway! If you would like to get involved, email Lauren Price.
2009 Summit
for a New Era of Community Service
Sponsored by Metro Volunteers
August 25 in Denver
Save the Date: Inclusiveness Conference 2009
November 9 and 10
Co-sponsored by CRC and the Denver Foundation, with registration information coming in August!
To learn more about inclusiveness, click here. |
| Hurry and Get Your 2009-2010 Colorado Grants Guide While Supplies Last! |
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Help improve the sustainability of your organization by purchasing a 2009-2010 Colorado Grants Guide, Colorado's premier resource for grantseekers.
Annual Online Subscription: $150
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| Join CRC on Facebook |
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Keep track of CRC's activities and get updates on capacity building tips and tools for your nonprofit organization.
Search "Community Resource Center of Colorado" to join!
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| CRC Staff Contacts |
303.623.1540
www.crcamerica.org
Consulting Services:
Training:
Rural Activities:
Community Development:
Other Staff Contacts:
Sarah Fischler
Interim Co-Director
Kelleen Zubick,
Debbie Stolz,
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