Colorado Gives Day: A Chance to Strengthen the Nonprofits That Strengthen Us

So far in my career, I’ve worked exclusively for nonprofit organizations. Their missions have spanned youth outdoor programming, neighborhood community organizing, nutrition access, and education access, to name just a few. My experience at each organization has shaped my journey in ways I’ll always be grateful for and taught me the power of collaboration to build a world where people have what they need to thrive — whether that’s food on the table or a sense of belonging. Nonprofits don’t just meet essential needs; they enrich our lives through arts, culture, and social connection. They are woven into the fabric of our communities.

My love for nonprofits is what led me to enter the philanthropy sector and join the small but mighty team of the Colorado Access Foundation, which is itself a nonprofit. Our mission is to invest in Colorado nonprofit organizations that address the root causes of health disparities in our state. I’m proud to say that since we were founded by Colorado Access in late 2021, we’ve awarded over $11 million to dozens of organizations, helping to build a more diverse health care workforce and increase access to food, housing, transportation, and other essential resources that we know contribute significantly to health and well-being. Seeing the impact of these investments reinforces what I’ve always believed: nonprofits are critical to a healthy, thriving society.

And here’s something you may not know — the nonprofit sector in Colorado is huge. According to a 2024 report from the Secretary of State’s office, there are about 15,000 charities registered in Colorado, and in 2024, registrations for new nonprofits were up 15% compared to the previous year. Nonprofits employ 182,000 Coloradans, which is roughly 10% of all jobs in the state. These organizations are everywhere, doing incredible work, but they can’t do it without us.

That’s why Colorado Gives Day is so important. It’s the biggest 24-hour giving movement in the state and one of the most successful in the nation. Since Colorado Gives Foundation launched it in 2010, Coloradans have raised over half a billion dollars for nonprofits. Last year alone, more than 95,000 donors gave $54 million. This year, Colorado Gives Day falls on Tuesday, December 9, but early giving is already underway and began November 1. Every donation during this period is boosted by a $1 million+ Incentive Fund, and if you set up a new recurring donation on the Colorado Gives Day website, your first month’s gift will be matched up to $100. It’s an amazing opportunity to make your dollars go further.

Colorado Gives Day is an inspiring time of year because it’s when we come together to support the causes we care about most. But if you’re not sure where to give, let me suggest food and nutrition nonprofits. This fall’s disruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding sent shockwaves through food access organizations. They had to ramp up services overnight, depleting resources to meet surging demand. The ripple effects are still being felt, and recovery will take time. Every donation, no matter the size, helps these nonprofits continue to fight food insecurity.

If you want to explore options, check out the Colorado Gives Day Discover & Donate page. You can filter by location, issue area, and organization size to find nonprofits that align with your values. Whether you give to food and nutrition programs or another cause you care deeply about, your support matters. Together, we can strengthen the nonprofits that strengthen Colorado.