Latino Community Foundation of Colorado Annual Report 2021

SALUDOS

LCFC Familia, We entered 2021 uncertain of what the year would have in store for us and loaded with many questions to consider as we approached a new time in history. How would we navigate COVID and vaccinations for our community? What do we provide to stabilize our Latino nonprofit sector to continue to be responsive? What types of supports will still be needed for those families whose livelihood continued to be impacted? How will we care for the thousands of nonprofit workers who are overwhelmed, exhausted, emotionally drained from being on the front lines of a pandemic where we were in a state of constant crisis and chaos. These questions are ones that we were asking our familia in order to continue advancing our mission to: working hand in hand with our diverse communities to create culturally responsive strategies that build influence, equity, and opportunity for all Latino Coloradans.

To best align our efforts with our community’s needs, we did what we do best: asked, listened, and created relevant opportunities that would support our Latino and immigrant nonprofits and communities with needed resources. We then went to you, our donors, our investors, and you responded through your generosity. Together, we made available many opportunities to our community leaders and nonprofits who, in turn, used them to increase their services, enhance their impact to families, improve their technology to better connect and communicate, and care for their staff.

Amazingly, 2021 was a great year! We saw, at its best, what happens when trusted relationships are in place, from community to philanthropy to government; when people are truly committed to equity; when collaboratively we are thinking out of the box; and at the core, we approach transformation where our communities lead through their lived experiences.

Through your support, this past year we invested over $1.7 million in the community. We launched several new exciting programs, established a coalition of nonprofits of color and LGBTQ to advocate for resources, dove deeper with our regional work in the San Luis Valley, and supported our leaders to think big, bold and courageous.

As you read through this report, I hope it fills your heart with excitement and gratitude as it did for us. Despite one of the worst crises of our times, during a time when our democracy is on fire, and compassion seems to be deteriorating, we know there is a lot of “good” taking place in our community. For that, we are grateful to all of you. You all are our LCFC familia, our community investors, our social changemakers.

With Latinogratitude,Community Foundation of Colorado Board, Staff and Advisors

2021 Board of Directors

Elaine Torres, Chair, Director of Community & Strategic Partnerships, CBS4

Midy Aponte, Secretary, Chief Experience Officer, Spitfire Strategies

Thomas Bryan, Treasurer, CFO, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority

Elsa Holguín, President and CEO, Denver Preschool Program

Dr. Eric Ishiwata, Associate Professor, Colorado State University

Guillermo J. Lambarri, Director of External & Legislative Affairs, AT&T

Debora M. Ortega, Professor, University of Denver

Susana Salamun, VP Community Inclusion and Engagement, Alpine Bank

Gloria M. Schoch, Executive Director, The VF Foundation and Director, Global Impact, VF Corporation

Yesenia Silva-Estrada, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, Colorado Mountain College

Hollie Velasquez Horvath, Regional Vice President, State Affairs and Community Relations, Xcel Energy

2021 Staff

Diana Aldapa, Director of Administration

Enrique Cintron, Marketing Assistant

Dr. Andrea Gíron Mathern, Vice President, Community Development

Rachel Griego, Vice President, Philanthropy

Marisa Krueger, Manager of Evaluation Carlos Martinez, President and CEO

Priscilla Montoya, Director of Development Cec Ortiz, Senior Strategy Advisor

Leticia Salinas, Program Director

Alexis Whitham, Director of Marketing and Grants Management

2021 Advisors

Dalia Dorta de Gonzalez, Adelante Colorado

Nita Gonzales, Adelante Colorado

Elena Letona, Adelante Colorado

Jennifer Lopez, Communities of Color Loan Fund

Alejandro Monarez, Communities of Color Loan Fund

Kourtney Rimbert, Finance

Monica Rowers, Adelante Colorado

Emma Schwarz, Finance & Communities of Color Loan Fund

LaDawn Sullivan, Communities of Color Loan Fund

Garland Yates, Community Democracy

GRANTMAKING

Ayuda Colorado has now become the grantmaking arm of the LCFC. The Ayuda fund allows the LCFC to be responsive in its grantmaking so that nonprofits can best direct resources to their community and their organization. Funding opportunities are designed based on input from the community, providing optimal allocation of opportunities,investmentwhileaffording our nonprofits the best alignment of their work.

58 grants were made for ongoing technology support as remote service delivery continued to be a challenge for many nonprofits.

18 general operating grants were made to immigrant/refugee service organizations to increase immigrant and refugee leadership, increase social cohesion between organiza tions, individuals, and the community at large, ESL classes, legal assistance and counseling, youth violence prevention, pre-school prep, COVID-19 response, mentors, and support for folks recently released from detention centers, among others.

10 grants were made to help communities create systems for providing vaccination education and services to their community. These grants were used for vaccination drives, combating misinformation, translation, communication, and outreach for vaccine drives.

A $50K grant, in partnership with the Hispanic Federation of New York, leveraged $150K to provide 15 grants to Latino Colorado nonprofits in support of their COVID work.

10 organizations received a civic engagement grant to support advocacy, voter education, ballot education initiatives, mentorship, and other civic engagement opportu nities.

5 grants through the Young Latino Philanthropists giving circle were made to small organizations to support their work and leadership during the COVID pandemic.

In 2021, Ayuda Colorado made a total of 102 grants to Latino and immigrant/refugee serving nonprofits throughout the state .

CONNECTING COMMUNITY

Latina Leadership in Action

LCFC was proud to host the 5th annual Latinas LEAD Power Summit, curated by Latinas for Latinas, in June 2021. Livestreamed throughout Colorado, attendees represented every region of the state, and also welcomed national and international attendees. The event featured Latina leaders, poets, writers, sustainability warriors, activists, and community leaders. Approximately 600 people attended the virtual summit.

Leading up to the Power Summit, a "Maestras" (Masters) four-part series was held virtually, which inspired and moved over 80 participants.

A grant was provided to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver to produce and support a Latina executive director leadership retreat. Twelve Latina executive directors had the opportunity to focus on their self-care for five days, re-energize, and be around other Latinas to share, discuss and build a community of support among each other.

The Latinas: Trailblazers Of The Current Latino Reality, impact report was producedthat focuses on how Latinas are situated nationally and within Colorado, how they have been impacted by COVID-19, and how they are stepping up their leadership in redefining the landscape for Latinos in the state.

The 8th annual Our Story Forum took place virtually across the four weeks of Hispanic and Latino heritage month. This family-friendly, bilingual event brought together Latino Coloradans from across the state, as well as national viewers, to learn and connect around this year’s core theme: Collective Power. Each week the series built upon the previous session and featured expert presentations from statewide and national Latino leaders on four topics: knowledge, identity, leadership, and action. Each program was immediately followed by a facilitated live community discussion. Attracting over 530 viewers, the livestreamed event engaged Coloradans from every region of the state, as well as guests from Puerto Rico, New Mexico, Illinois, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Montana.

Our Story Forum

BUILDING UP OUR NONPROFITS

For LCFC, 2021 was a year of supporting our nonprofits to recover, rebuild, and reimagine. We all knew that we could not go back to “business as usual.” Instead, we had to rethink how we were going to create new infrastructures and operating systems for our organizations. Examples of this included incorporating greater efficiencies in a remote environment, building new capacities for providing services, creating new strategic plans, investing in staff, and redesigning new operating environments that support growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability, to name a few.

To support the recalibration and vitality of our Latino nonprofit landscape, LCFC launched three new projects and boosted two others. These projects provide vital infrastructure support, access to working capital, and capacity building opportunities to support thriving communities.

New AdelanteProgramsColorado

Adelante Colorado is dedicated to building the capacities of Latino-led and –serving nonprofits and leaders in Colorado. Through a culturally grounded process, 22 organizations were selected as the members of the three-year Adelante Colorado cohort. From 2021 through 2024, organizations will receive between $45,000 and $150,000 for a total of $2 million in direct funding. In addition to the financial support, Adelante will further assist grantee organizations through leadership development and training to support each one’s unique pathway toward a bold and courageous evolution.

Colorado Communities of Color Loan Fund (CCCLF)

The CCCLF ensures access to capital to nonprofit organizations led by and serving communities of color. Nonprofits of color have historically experienced chronic undercapitalization and financial instability that prevents long-term strategy development and impacts day-to-day nonprofit management. To combat these systemic inequities and help community-led organizations to create powerful visions, especially in a time of rebuilding, the LCFC established the CCCLF, a revolving loan fund to serve the short-term capital and investment needs of nonprofit organizations led-by and centered-on communities of color. Organizations meeting the eligibility criteria can apply for loans ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 and range from zero to two percent interest.

BUILDING UP OUR NONPROFITS

Communities Lead, Communities Thrive Coalition (CLCT)

In response to the lack of investments in communities of color who were disproportionately impacted by COVID, the LCFC organized and led the creation and establishment of the Communities Lead, Communities Thrive Coalition - comprised of BIPOC/LGBTQ/Rural nonprofits. The CLCT advocates for recovery resources to these communities. LCFC facilitated and managed weekly steering committee meetings and was instrumental in fundraising and developing a legislative agenda for the coalition. Through the support of Representatives Monica Duran, Leslie Harrod and Edie Hooton, along with Senators Julie Gonzalez and Bob Rankin, the Small Community-based Nonprofit Grant Program bill was introduced in the 2022 Colorado legislative session. United, the CLCT coalition is building its collective power to advocate for our communities through brave and strategic opportunities that drive self determination.

As of printing of this report, the Small Community-based Nonprofit Grant Program Bill (HB22-1356) was passed in the 2022 legislative session and signed by the Governor. The fund will allocate $35,000,000 to small nonprofits whose community were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. These capacity-building resources for nonprofit organizations are critical to increase local nonprofit organizations’ effectiveness and ability to reach communities struggling to recover from COVID-19.

Boosted RegionalProgramsInvestments

Guided by the principle that authentic change begins within communities, our Regional Community Investments (RCI) centers on community leaders' sovereignty and agency in determining the best pathways for improving the lives of Latinos in their communities. After a year-long hiatus in 2020 due to COVID, in 2021, the LCFC resumed its collaborative work with the Soul Players of the Valley: a four community (Alamosa, Antonito, Capulin and San Luis) coalition that is developing a comprehensive plan for elevating economic, health, youth and community engagement needs across the region. Driven by community members, the LCFC plays a “back seat” role, and its involvement is directed by the coalition’s steering committee. The LCFC provides guided technical assistance, coaching, mentoring, facilitated conversations, timeline implementation, and training on hard skills.

Click here to watch video

BUILDING UP OUR NONPROFITS

Leadership Roundtables

These roundtables were created to provide a space for leaders from Latino, immigrant, and refugee serving organizations to connect, learn from each other, access resources and understand their self-care needs during an unprecedented time of managing a nonprofit. Participants can receive advice on management issues, expand their network, have access to pertinent data, and discuss best practices of non-profit operations, as well as stay on top of trends and funding opportunities. Community leaders and any organizational leader serving Latinos and/or immigrants and refugees are welcome to participate.

Attendees noted the following after participating in the roundtables.

“I attend to stay informed of LCFC programs and to be informed about what is happening in the Latino community.”

“Helpful to see the work happening in community - and see friendly faces. Also the networking component is great!”

“Having the opportunity to connect and meet other leaders across the state doing similar work was very inspiring and empowering. It's a safe place where we can talk about the issues our communities face, day- to- day, and how we can collectively work in removing barriers.”

2021 GRANTEES

Adelante Community Development, Commerce City Advocates Against Domestic Assault, Trinidad African Chamber of Commerce Colorado, Denver Alianza NORCO, Fort Collins

Asian Pacific Development Center, Aurora Athletics & Beyond, Denver

Cal-Wood Education Center, Jamestown Casa de Paz, Denver

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pueblo, Pueblo Center for Community Wealth Building, Denver Centro de la Familia, Colorado Springs

Centro Humanitario Para Los Trabajadores, Denver

Cesar Chavez Celebration of Mesa County, Fruita Child and Migrant Services, Inc., Palisade

Colectiva Creando Cambios en Colorado, Denver Colorado Circles for Change, Denver

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Denver Colorado Jobs With Justice, Denver

Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization, Denver Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, Denver Colorado People's Alliance, Denver Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, Denver

Companeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center, Durango Conectoras de Montbello, Denver

Conejos County Clean Water Inc., Antonito Convivir Colorado, Denver

Cultivando, Commerce City

Denver Alliance for Street Health Response, Denver Denver Children's Advocacy Center, Denver Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, Aurora

El Centro Amistad, Boulder

El Comercio de Colorado, Denver

El Comite de Longmont, Longmont

El Grupo Vida, Aurora

Focus Points Family Resource Center, Denver

Fuerza Latina, Fort Collins

Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver, Denver Grupo Esperanza, Colorado Springs

Hispanic Affairs Project, Montrose Homies Unidos Denver, Denver

Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County, Boulder INSPIRE, Commerce City

Integrated Community, Steamboat Springs

ISAAC of Northern Colorado, Fort Collins

Justice and Heritage Academy, Antonito La Cocina, Fort Collins

La Piñata del Aprendizaje, Denver

Lamar Unidos, Lamar

Latin American Educational Foundation, Denver Latina Safehouse Initiative, Denver Latino Cultural Arts Center, Denver

LAW SCHOOL...Yes We Can, Denver Literacy Outreach, Glenwood Springs

Mongolian School of Colorado, Centennial Movimiento Poder, Denver

Mujeres de Colores, Wellington Museo de las Americas, Denver

Muslim Youth for Positive Impact, Broomfield

NEWSED Community Development Corporation, Denver

OneMorgan County, Fort Morgan Philanthropiece Foundation, Longmont Project VOYCE, Denver

Project Worthmore, Aurora

Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation, Pueblo Re:Vision International, Denver RISE Colorado, Aurora

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, Westminster Rocky Mountain Welcome Center, Aurora San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center, Alamosa Servicios de La Raza, Denver

Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center, Fort Collins

Small Town Project, Rocky Ford The GrowHaus, Denver

The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County, Lafayette

The Latino Research and Policy Center at UC Denver, DenverVive Family Wellness, Denver Voces Unidas de las Montañas, Glenwood Springs

Vuela for Health, Denver

WorkLife Partnership, Denver

Youth Seen, Broomfield

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

$500,000+

The Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Trust

$200,000-$499,999

Caring for Colorado Foundation

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority W.K. Kellogg Foundation

$20,000-$199,999

AT&T CaringColoradoforDenver Foundation

Coca-Cola GrantmakersCompanyConcerned with Immigrants and Refugees

Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Colorado Margulf MontbelloMolsonCoorsFoundationOrganizing Committee

Rose Community Foundation

$10,000-$19,999

Brett Family Foundation

Bright Mountain Foundation

Quintana, Annette & Silverston, Leonard Armando Quiroz University of Colorado

$2,500-$9,999

Anonymous, (2) Bamboo Fund

Black Resilience in Community Fund Casa de VelasquezPazHorvath, Hollie

Denver Center for the Performing Arts Denver Foundation L. P. Brown Foundation

Latinx Center at the University of Denver Lederer Foundation, Inc.

Ready Foods

Xcel YoungEnergyLatino Philanthropists

$1,000-$2,499

Torres,AnonymousElaine & Workman, Philip Bryan, Thomas Baca, Gonzales,PatriciaMitchell & Tigran Lambarri, Guillermo Martinez, Carlos & Danielson, Phillip Cortes, Michael & Rubio-Cortes, Gloria Maribel

TheSanchezOrtega,TheMilgromCifuentes&DaskamStateofColoradoDeboradeOrtiz,CeciliaJohnA.HartfordFoundation, Inc.

Thorwald, Heather

$500-$999

Castaneda, Jorge Haynes, Anna Jo Hispanic Affairs Project Ishiwata, Eric Latzke, Rodriguez,Tim Trinidad The Blackbaud Giving Fund by its agent, YourCause

$250-$499

Archuleta, Flora & Phillip Ellery, Therese & Jeff Chavarria, Gabriela D Garcia, Y. Violeta Gíron Mathern, Andrea Gonzalez, Maria Gonzales, Tish Henzel, Silverston,Sanchez,Salazar,Otsuka,Merenstein,MichaelRayDianeTonetteAlexDaniella Quintana

$100-$249

Aguayo,AnonymousJose & Magdalena

Aldapa, Perez,Pener,Palaich,Nicholas,Navarro,Murillo,Martinez,Martin,Loayza,Latham,Gonzalez,Gonzales,GarciaEspenozaEscarcega,Ellery,Dorn,Cardona,Beltran,Bell,Bejarano,Barnard,Alvidrez,DianaFlorAllieCristinaAllisonRamonaVicenteKaralynTherese&JeffJesusSheehan,CheFlores,LucindaShelbyArmando&DaliaAmyJesusShawnCarmen&CatarinoCrystalNellyEmmaJ.RobertMario&EvelynRicardo&ShermanPerez, Karen

Rocha, Wallace,Vieyra,Velasco,Vasquez,Tortorice,Toro,Tapia,Soto,Sorensen,SilvaSchwarz,Santoscoy,Sanchez,FernandoMarleneDierdreEmmaEstrada,YeseniaCynthiaBeatrizTonyLuisACharleneAlvinaElizabethFelipeWilliam

Up to $100 Anonymous, (4) Aguirre, Kristen Alacron, Vanessa Amaro Martinez, Ashley Antillon, Itzel Arauz, CasaverdeCaraveo,Buck,Bermudez,Barela,Banks,Ayala,Ayala,Arellano,XiomaraLouNaomiRyanTaraAndreaJeniseRachelGloriaMarin, Maria Coleman, Lazo,Lara,Kinsey,Johnson,Holmes,Holden,Hernandez,Hailemariam,Guajardo,Griego,Griego,Gonzalez,Gonzales,Gonzales,Gonzales,Giron,Garcia,Garcia,Garcia,Fontes,Enriquez,Diaz-Gonzalez,deCuriel,Culkak-Reif,CommunityFrancesFirstFoundationKeanaFranciscoJr.laVara,DeliaJennaMarianaTanairiCeciliaLupitaRosalindaJulieKarenDarleneMariaRichardYasminRachelTinaAndreaLanaJenniferSamanthaCeciliaAliciaKirkCamilaOsmara

Lechuga, Chalane Lopez Starkus, Diana Lopez, Janet Lopez, YondoWhelan,vonTorres,Toribio,Stange,Soto-Ruvalcaba,Smith,Smith,Sisneros,Shols,Saunders,Sandoval,Sanchez,Salazar-Rodriguez,Romero,Romero,Rodriguez,Rodriguez,Ribali,Ramirez,Ramirez,Quiñonez,Pietrek,Pena,Paga,Navarrette,Montoya,Molina,Mercier,Martinez,Lucero,Lopez-Cruz,StevenDaniSonrisaAliciaRoseMalickBettinaPriscillaCamilaPaolaBernadetteLaurenJulietaLiahJesseElaineAlicitaNancyAutumnHollyStephanieElizabethBrittinieNicoleGracielaArmandoReginaAndreaMaryLouLauraAdrianaCorrinaSayuriWinterLMerz,StephenMeganFeller,Chelsea