Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado

10/13/2026

Email is still the number one way to earn online donations. And yet, for most nonprofits, writing those December emails tends to happen in a rush.

So let’s just get it done, together! You’ll come ready to write, and leave with three donor emails drafted, peer reviewed, and ready to schedule for December.

Wednesday, October 28
10 AM – 12:30 PM
Zoom | Free

Register at swcommunityfoundation.org/october-working-workshop-for-year-end-emails/

10/09/2026

Thank you to the The Journal for sharing about the upcoming Hoedown we're co-hosting with The Montezuma School to Farm Project. Join us next week, October 17! https://www.swcommunityfoundation.org/hoedown/

The Mancos Hoedown returns on Oct. 17. Proceeds will benefit the Montezuma School to Farm Project and Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado. ➡️ Read more in the comments. bit.ly/4enQmmK

10/08/2026

This month is all about planned giving education at the Community Foundation, for donors and nonprofits!

Donors, join us October 20 from 4:30-6pm at the Community Foundation in Durango to learn about your options for planned gifts.

Nonprofits, join us for one of our planned giving fundamentals trainings in:
- Pagosa Springs, October 19
- Durango, October 20
- Cortez, October 21

Donors can RSVP at swcommunityfoundation.org/planned-giving-for-nonprofit-donors-october-20/

Nonprofits can register at swcommunityfoundation.org/planned-giving-fundamentals-training/

10/07/2026

For quarter 2 & 3, the Foundation's SPUR Fund is directing $40,000 to eight organizations working to prevent family violence and support survivors across Southwest Colorado.

SPUR stands for Special Projects Uniquely Responsive. This is an unsolicited grant program to help address timely needs across Southwest Colorado.

This quarter's SPUR grantees:
Alternative Horizons
Four Corners Child Advocacy Center
Four Doves Women's Foundation
The Piñon Project
Renew
Rise Above Violence
Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO)
Ute Mountain Ute Social Services

Read what each one does on our blog: swcommunityfoundation.org/spur-quarter-23-family-violence-prevention/

10/06/2026

Who wants pie?

Thank you to our wonderful local businesses for contributing so many delicious items for our pie auction, as well as some other amazing, non-perishable goods!

The Hoedown at the Manos Opera House is October 17th!

Info and tickets are at swcommunityfoundation.org/hoedown/

10/01/2026

Did you know that planned gifts – made by everyday donors to organizations just like yours – are the largest gifts a donor will ever make? And that often, these gifts are as much as 150 times larger than their biggest annual gift! But how do you get started?

Join Brandy Bertram, Principal of Great Big Good, for a practical workshop on planned giving fundamentals that will help you (and your donors!) take a big step forward in fueling your mission, without breaking your brain or burning you out.

What you’ll learn:
Gift acceptance policies
Monthly giving programs
Bequests and beneficiary designations
Gifts of non-cash assets
IRA and qualified retirement plan gifts
Planned giving prospecting
Planned giving stewardship

Register: swcommunityfoundation.org/planned-giving-fundamentals-training/

09/29/2026

We'd like to give a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors of the Hoedown! Your generosity makes this event possible, and allows the proceeds to directly support the work of Montezuma School to Farm Project and the Montelores County Fund.

Thank you for all you do for our communities!

Carrie Summers, Colorado Ranch & Home Realty
Dolores State Bank
First National Bank Cortez
Nimbus Solutions
Simbeck Associates
United County Real Estate

Tickets at swcommunityfoundation.org/hoedown/

09/26/2026

How's your costume coming along for the season? Don't forget the Hoedown has a Best Dressed in the West Costume Contest! Cowboys, vampires, and all creativity welcome.

(Pug is for your inspiration, no pups at this event 😉)

Tickets at swcommunityfoundation.org/hoedown/