Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado

08/31/2026

The Community Foundation staff has been out in the community this August. Imagine that!

We have had a wonderful time visiting nonprofits and organizations in Dove Creek, Ignacio, and Pagosa Springs throughout the month.

We continue to be amazed by the impactful work our nonprofits and local leaders do every single day. It's a pleasure (and our purpose) to always learn more about the programs, initiatives, and needs being met in our communities across Southwest Colorado.

Our staff makes monthly visits to Archuleta and Montezuma County, and bi-annual visits to Dolores and San Juan County.

08/28/2026

College sports season is here!

We're proud to partner with Fort Lewis College to give every 9th–12th grade student at Durango, Bayfield, and Ignacio High School free admission to Skyhawks home athletic events all season long.

Come cheer on the Skyhawks with us!

08/24/2026

Today's Just Ask Briggen covers the importance of your fundraising and development efforts, and the tools we have available to help nonprofits build great strategies.

Fundraising and Development Training starts September 8, hosted every Tuesday of the month from 11 AM - 1 PM on Zoom. Learn more and register at swcommunityfoundation.org.

08/14/2026

This Monday! Join us for our informational meeting about the new giving circle, Pagosa's 100+ Women Who Care.

This giving circle is open to any woman who wants to support the nonprofits of Archuleta County in a meaningful way while building community with other women.

Your $100 donation grants you membership for the year. Our first giving event will be October 30.

We'll be at Coyote Moon, August 17, from 3-4 PM to answer all your questions! Please share with any women you know in the Pagosa area that may be interested in supporting their local nonprofits with like-minded people.

More info at swcommunityfoundation.org

08/13/2026

This month's free workshop is about an incredibly important piece of marketing for every nonprofit: Annual Reports!

Annual reports help build trust in your organization, cultivate donor relationships, and keep you accountable for tracking (and reflecting on) your impact.

Join Briggen Wrinkle August 19 from 12-1 PM to learn what should be in this report and resources to help you make a great product on a budget.

Register at swcommunityfoundation.org/ttt/

08/10/2026

Nonprofits! Join our Fundraising and Development Series, every Tuesday starting September 8.

This four-session virtual training series has been designed specifically to help nonprofits build stronger funding channels.

Whether your organization is building a development program for the first time or looking to sharpen an existing one, participants will walk away with a clear understanding of fundraising fundamentals, steps to implement immediately, and practical tools to guide your efforts throughout the year.

Session 1: September 8, Finding Your ‘Why’ and Building a Development Mindset
Session 2: September 15, Cultivating Donors: From the First Gift to Loyal Supporter
Session 3: September 22, Seizing the Moment: Colorado Gives Day and Year-End Giving
Session 4: September 29, Putting It All Together

Learn More & Register: swcommunityfoundation.org/fundraising-development-virtual-training-series-september-2026/

08/04/2026

This month kicks off our Year-End Ask Series of deep dive trainings and free workshops, all focused on making the strongest fundraising campaign during the busiest time for giving. We encourage nonprofits to join us for any session that will be helpful to your organization!

The Lineup...
August 19: Anatomy of an Annual Report (Free)
September (Tuesdays): Fundraising and Development Fundamentals ($80)
September 16: Social Media that Drives Donations (Free)
October 19-21: Planned Giving Fundamentals ($30)
October 28: Crafting Your Year-End Emails (Free)
November 18: Optimizing Your Donation Landing Page (Free)

Learn More & Register at swcommunityfoundation.org/year-end-ask-series-august-november-2026/

08/01/2026

We are thrilled to announce... The Hoedown is back in the saddle at the Mancos Opera House! Now as a partnering effort with the Montezuma School to Farm Project and Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado.

This locally-loved event returns Saturday, October 17, with doors opening at 6 PM.

The evening will feature live music by The Afrobeatniks, a live auction of homemade pies and outdoor gear, and a "Best Dressed in the West" costume contest. Tickets are $15 for ages 21 and up.

Since its start in 2013 as a Montezuma School to Farm Project (MSTFP) fundraiser, the Hoedown has brought western family fun to the community. The event raised funding for MSTFP’s programs, teaching every aspect of food production to Montezuma County schools while producing fresh food for the community.

This year's event continues that tradition, with the addition of the Community Foundation helping co-host and raise funds for their Montelores County Fund. This fund will provide future grants to local nonprofits throughout Montezuma and Dolores counties. All dollars raised in Montelores will stay in Montelores.

Event and sponsorship information are available at swcommunityfoundation.org/hoedown/

07/20/2026

We are so proud to see Marley's insightful, well-written column published in The Durango Herald. Great job Marley!

Real work experience is getting harder and harder to come by for teens in Durango. That’s why when I heard about the Community Action Utilizing Service