NEWS
Nonprofit community to gather for October conference By Mike Yost
Oct. 15 and 16 mark the 20th Annual Colorado Nonprofit Association’s Fall Conference and Exhibition taking place at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield. “It’s the premier annual event for Colorado’s nonprofit sector,” said Eileen Prosser, Director of Development and Marketing. Whether you donate, volunteer, receive services, work with or run a nonprofit organization, the exhibition works to educate and empower those invested in the community. “We typically draw more than 700 nonprofit decision makers across the state, as well as the foundation trustees and staff,” Prosser said. The influence of Colorado nonprofits is larger than most people might initially consider. According to CNA’s website, Coloradans gave almost $3.8 billion in donations in 2006, ranking 8th in percent of taxpayers who deduct for their philanthropy. Today, there are 19,000 nonprofit organizations in Colorado, accounting for six percent of Colorado’s economy. In addition, from 2000 to 2010 there has been an increase of job growth of 2.1 percent, compared to a drop of 0.6 percent in the profit sector. There are 142,000 Coloradans working as nonprofit professionals, encompassing 7.9 percent of Colorado’s employment sector. The Colorado Nonprofit Association was founded in 1986 to service this growing community by establishing a network of relationships to cultivate positive change. “We currently have 1,358 members,” Prosser said. Organizations who are members include One Colorado, the Colorado Anti-Violence Program and Project Angel Heart. The upcoming conference acts as the tip of the spear to CNA’s mission: to lead, serve and strengthen nonprofit organizations throughout the Centennial State. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado is included among the many sponsors that support CNA’s mission. Participants at the exhibition will have access to more than 70 educational sessions ranging from how to develop
a nonprofit to finding effective ways to lobby your legislators to increasing community engagement. In addition, there will be more than 45 exhibitors that work to sustain and achieve the goals of nonprofit institutions. “We have two luncheons,” Prosser said. “The lunch on day one is when we present the Collaboration Award where a nonprofit in Colorado is awarded $50,000.” Last year’s award went to Northwest Colorado Community Health Partnership, an organization that works to build a health care network for the uninsured and underinsured in Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Jackson Counties. On day two “our lunch is going to be two Colorado governors coming to give their perspective on the election.” Former Govs. Bill Ritter Jr. (D) and Bill Owens (R) will host a panel discussion concerning the impact of the election’s outcome on nonprofit organizations. The event will be moderated by Cynthia Hessin from Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting System. This year’s annual fall exhibition represents just a small portion of services CNA provides. “We host, every single March, our Colorado Nonprofit Week Awards luncheon, a kickoff to nonprofit week,” Prosser said. “We present different awards to people who have made a difference in the community.” This March, awards were given to David DeLay with Bayaud Enterprises and Mary Anne Harvey with The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People, both winning the William Funk Award for Building Stronger Communities. “We have a leadership development series,” said Prosser, “and training work programs for people to get help with branding, which is really important in the nonprofit sector.” In addition, CNA offers free webinars and an online help desk. The association has also conducted a number of surveys and research papers, including studies that outline the beliefs and behaviors Coloradans who give to charity and research, which explicates the economic impact of nonprofits in Colorado. “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to ask questions about the nonprofit and get some help,” Prosser said. ] Register at http://coloradononprofits.org
[ [ FOCUS ] ]
OCTOBER 3, 2012 | OUTFRONTONLINE.COM
15