The Ripple Effect of Colorado Gives Day

By Marla J. Williams, President and CEO of Community First Foundation

A child gives up his or her allowance to help a nonprofit charity. A community member discovers a new organization they’re passionate about just down the street. A nonprofit serving home bound seniors is able to deliver 20 percent more meals next year.

After seven years, I am still stunned by the ripple effect of Colorado Gives Day.

The numbers are always incredible. This year, donations totaled $33.8 million. Generous donors made more than 145,700 gifts to 2,111 nonprofits in just 24 hours. These numbers represent the extraordinary generosity of individuals all across the state. Thank you for your contributions yesterday and for being part of the Colorado Gives Day movement.

As we look at the far-reaching effects of Colorado Gives Day, the best indicator of what's to come may be our newest program, Kids for ColoradoGives. A portion of the $33.8 million raised yesterday came through KidsforColoradoGives.org, a new component of the ColoradoGives.org website designed specifically for young givers. We’re inspired to witness the next generation of Coloradans giving up their allowances and holiday presents to make their neighborhoods better places to live, work and play.

Colorado Gives Day is a 24-hour event, but strengthening our communities is a year-round effort. Nonprofits need your support on a continual basis. ColoradoGives.org makes it easy to set up recurring donations at intervals that work for you and your family.

We can’t thank you enough for your contributions yesterday. Our job is not over. If I can leave you with one message, it’s keep giving.

Read the Colorado Gives Day press release >

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By Lisa Adams, FirstBank FirstBank has been a proud supporter of Colorado Gives Day , the state’s largest online giving movement, since its launch in 2010. Everyone at FirstBank is passionate about the initiative and honored to give back to the local communities that have helped us grow and succeed. Each year, we provide more than $600,000 in support for ColoradoGives, including $100,000 that goes straight to nonprofit organizations through several fun prize programs: "Why Colorado Gives” Social Media Prizes ($1,000 each) From Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 4, FirstBank Facebook fans will have a chance to win one of fifteen $1,000 cash prizes to donate to the Colorado Gives charity of their choice. To qualify, fans will have to post a photo or video to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram about why they give. When posting your photo on Facebook make sure the privacy settings are set to public so Community First Foundation & FirstBank can view it. Posts

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