Telluride Gives: Big Bucks Raised for Nonprofits

15 Dec Telluride Gives: Big Bucks Raised for Nonprofits

$104,946.50 for 59 community nonprofits in 36 hours!

Starting December 12, 2014, the Telluride Foundation and regional nonprofit organizations united  for a 36-hour online giving campaign, Telluride Gives, to benefit local needs. Donors were able to search for and choose a nonprofit to which to give, making an unexpected gift to local organizations. The online giving campaign, which engaged 558 donors, exceeded the previous year by 100%, raising $104,946.50 for 59 nonprofits.

“WOW, way to go Telluride community! Telluride Gives 12.13.14 doubled last year’s giving day, raising over $100,000 for local nonprofits,” said Katie Singer, Development Manager of the Telluride Foundation. “A heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and thanks to the San Juan Kids Endowment for the $10,000 in match money.”

Also, enhancing the success of Telluride Gives was the San Juan Kids Endowment who donated $10,000 in match money, and the Telluride Foundation donated another $5,000. The $15,000 will be disturbed to the nonprofits as a percent of the dollars each raised. KOTO radio also highlighted the event, interviewing several nonprofit participants.

Nonprofits from all around the region participated, including causes based in Naturita, Norwood, Ridgway, Montrose –and Telluride. One successful organization, Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) had 26 donations totaling $5,420.

“The annual Telluride Gives event is a great way to spread the word about what’s new at TASP for the coming year and reach a broad audience of new donors,” said TASP Executive Director Courtney Stuecheli. “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate and grateful for the incredible support of the community.”

According to Kelly Goodin, Executive Director of the Second Chance Humane Society, which raised the most dollars at $13,850:

“We were so amazed by the donor support of Telluride Gives this year, not just to our organization, but collectively. It was simply heart-warming to see so much generosity. The Telluride Foundation has created an incredible channel for community giving at a local level.”s

The Telluride Foundation partnered with the online fundraising company, Kimbia, to develop Telluride Gives, enabling nonprofits to post their story, raise awareness, and receive donations to support their missions. This is the fourth year the Telluride Foundation has funded and hosted Telluride Gives, and this year the initiative exceeded the previous year by $50,000, the approximate amount raised in 2013.

About the Telluride Foundation:

This fundraising effort was presented by the Telluride Foundation, a community foundation and the largest funder of nonprofit organizations on the Western Slope of Colorado. The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride community through the promotion and support of philanthropy. It is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that provides year-round support for local organizations involved in arts, education, athletics, charitable causes, land conservation and other community-based efforts through technical assistance, education and grant making. As a grant maker, the Foundation awards grants to qualified applicants that serve the people living and working in the Telluride area for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life within the region. For more information on the Telluride Foundation, visit www.telluridefoundation.org.