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Colorado Nonprofit Association Celebrates 30 Years

DENVER, COLO. (Feb. 22, 2016) – Colorado Nonprofit Association celebrates 30 years of leading, serving and strengthening Colorado nonprofits.


Thirty years ago, approximately 2,000 public charities served Colorado communities. Today, that number has grown to over 20,000. These charitable organizations employ more than 128,000 people and represent nearly $51 billion in assets. Collectively, Colorado nonprofits serve youth and families, preserve open space, protect animals, provide arts programming and cultural experiences, and support faith-based communities.


“Nonprofits touch each of our lives every day,” says Colorado Nonprofit Association President & CEO Renny Fagan. “Whether you are enjoying the majestic beauty of a trail, adopting a pet from the local animal shelter, listening to the hymn of a church choir, enjoying art, or receiving direct human services, the impact of the nonprofit sector is all around us. These organizations are absolutely essential to quality of life in our state and the vitality of our communities.”
In 2007, Colorado Nonprofit Association launched the milestone Colorado Generosity Project, which included periodic surveys of Coloradans’ beliefs and behaviors on charitable giving. The most recent report, Understanding Giving: Beliefs and Behaviors of Colorado’s Donors provides valuable insight on giving trends tied to generational, gender, and income differences.
The Association also spearheaded the creation of Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado and recently released in its third iteration (2015). This guide provides valuable tools and resources to nonprofit staff and volunteer leadership. Included in the guidebook are best practices to move forward an organization’s mission, while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and laws.
Throughout its 30 years, Colorado Nonprofit Association has advocated for nonprofits at the state legislature to incentivize charitable giving, protect nonprofit accountability and create efficiencies in the public services nonprofits deliver in the community. Today, the Association keeps nonprofits informed of potential legislation, serves as a liaison between policy makers and nonprofit professionals, and works to create legislation that strengthens nonprofits and the communities they serve.
“Over the past 30 years, the Colorado Nonprofit Association has made the sector stronger by uniting us as a movement towards a common goal of creating a better Colorado, rather than being disjointed individual organizations working on our own missions,” says Lydia McCoy, Executive Director of Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation and Vice Chair of the board of directors for Colorado Nonprofit Association.
The Association is a trusted source of practical knowledge for every aspect of operating a successful nonprofit. Over the years, thousands of nonprofit professionals have participated in the Association’s training programs. The Association continues to enhance its online training system and methods for informing nonprofits about current best practices.

“Colorado Nonprofit Association has supported nonprofits across the state for the past three decades. We are dedicated to serving our member organizations and advocating for Colorado’s nonprofit community,” Fagan said.
To learn more about Colorado Nonprofit Association, visit www.ColoradoNonprofits.org.

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Photo Caption:

Colorado Nonprofit Association celebrated its 30th birthday at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the Association’s 30 years of leading, serving and strengthening Colorado nonprofits. Pictured left to right: Charley Shimanski, Barbara Shaw, Pat Read, Sharon Knight, and President & CEO of Colorado Nonprofit Association Renny Fagan.

Photo Credit - Lenn Stout Photography

About Colorado Nonprofit Association

Colorado Nonprofit Association leads, serves and strengthens Colorado nonprofit organizations. For nearly 30 years, the statewide nonprofit membership coalition has connected nonprofits of all sizes, missions and geographic locations. The Association leads the nonprofit sector in influencing public policy and public opinion, serves its members by providing tools for networking, communications, and support, and strengthens the nonprofit community through trainings, issue discussions, andadministrative programs. For more information, please visit www.ColoradoNonprofits.org or call (800) 333-6554.