The Colorado Nonprofit Association is committed to lifting up voices of our LGBTQ+ community and the many nonprofits coming together to support Club Q victims in Colorado Springs, their families and Colorado’s LBGTQ+ community as a whole by sharing resources and ways to get involved.
Here are a few ways you can help:
If you’re looking for resources and support:
Denver, Colorado. Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Paul Lhevine has been named as the new President & CEO of the Colorado Nonprofit Association after a dynamic and multi-stage national search led by Kittleman & Associates. He will officially start his new role on December 1, 2021.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to help amplify the impact of our nonprofit sector and continue to build on the successes the Association has achieved since its founding 35 years ago,” shared Lhevine. “My passion for this position comes from my experiences working and volunteering in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, my connection to communities across our state, my desire to improve the lives of all Coloradans as well as my love and respect for all those who work and volunteer in the nonprofit sector.”
Lhevine has 25 years of experience in community building, resource development, political affairs, and nonprofit management, succeeding at the intersection of social innovation and civic engagement. Lhevine is departing his current role as Chief Executive Officer of Swallow Hill Music, to begin a new chapter leading the Colorado Nonprofit Association.
Lhevine approaches leadership by creating focused organizations and developing teams of staff and volunteers with passion, energy, and vision. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, is an alumnus of Leadership Denver, holds a law degree from Vermont Law School, and is a graduate of The Colorado College.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paul as Colorado Nonprofit Association’s President & CEO,” remarked Erin Pulling, Colorado Nonprofit Association Board Chair. “Paul’s brilliant leadership, decades of experience in philanthropic and civic affairs, drive to understand community needs, relentless enthusiasm, and innovative spirit will provide the bold leadership needed at this unique moment in time for Colorado Nonprofit Association as we create and serve the nation’s most effective, vibrant, and innovative nonprofit community.”
Prior to joining Swallow Hill Music, Lhevine led the Aurora Public Schools Foundation, where he served as Executive Director. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee and as Chief Operating Officer for Mile High United Way. He refined his change-management skills in these roles, bringing organizations to a greater level of mission fulfillment and revenue growth, and working to advance cross-sector partnerships that leverage resources and create outcomes beyond the sum of their parts.
“Congratulations to the Colorado Nonprofit Association. Paul Lhevine is a visionary and innovative leader who understands the critical role the nonprofit sector plays in Colorado,” said Christine Benero, President and CEO of Mile High United Way. “As a longtime CNA member and at a time when our sector is needed more than ever, we look forward to Paul’s leadership advocacy.”
Lhevine has been at the forefront of successful local and federal political and public affairs campaigns. Lhevine’s early career experience included working on campaign finance reform efforts at the National Civic League, managing congressional campaigns in Colorado and Alabama and serving as a legislative assistant to Congresswoman Diana DeGette. Paul also managed Hickenlooper for Mayor in 2003. Later, as a political consultant, he led the Coalition for a Better Colorado and assisted the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter with their legislative objectives.
“Paul’s energy, passion, unparalleled expertise, and vision for the future of Colorado Nonprofit Association shined during our arduous national search; we are delighted to welcome him,” said Jonathan Liebert, Colorado Nonprofit Association Board Member and Chair of the Search Committee.
ABOUT THE COLORADO NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1986, the Colorado Nonprofit Association is a statewide nonprofit membership organization dedicated to making Colorado a better place for people to live by fostering an environment that supports nonprofits. The Association leads the nonprofit sector in influencing public policy and public opinion; serves our members with networking tools, trainings, communications, and administrative support; and strengthens the nonprofit community by convening organizations and addressing sector-wide issues. For more information, please visit www.ColoradoNonprofits.org or call (303) 832-5710.
Colorado’s nonprofit workers have a significant stake in statewide ballot measures beyond casting their votes. These public policies often affect how they perform their jobs and carry out programs to benefit their communities. Ballot measures influence how nonprofits manage their financial and human capital.
Moreover, voters’ decisions affect funding and delivery of public services that are integral to our quality of life. The 2021 Colorado Statewide Ballot Measure Guide helps Colorado’s nonprofit workers better understand how decisions made on these measures involve them as individuals, community members, employees, leaders, and as part of the broader nonprofit sector. We ask you to reflect on this guide to determine a response that aligns with organizational and personal values, and ensures the impact of Colorado’s nonprofits well into the future.
Colorado’s voters have the power to decide public policy matters at the ballot box. Wield your power to ensure Colorado nonprofits and the communities they serve continue thriving. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations can engage in activities supporting or opposing ballot measures but must report their activities and spending as part of annual Form 990 reporting on lobbying.
GET YOUR COPY OF THE 2021 BALLOT GUIDE
After reviewing the Member Survey findings, statewide focus group reports, and feedback through interviews, we learned there are things we’re doing well, and more importantly things we could be doing better.
So what are we going to do about it?
We’re adding more live streaming, working out logistics for live streaming watch-parties, expanding roundtables so you can connect with others, and leveraging partnerships with content experts and leaders to build robust offerings. We’re also continuing to craft and offer high-quality trainings on various topics, along with working with regional partners across the state to bring trainings to you.
We’re in the works of crafting region-specific emails to share the most relevant information to cut down the time it takes to get the information you need and want. We’re also giving our member benefits packaging and collateral a facelift to make it easier for you to know what benefits are available. We’ll continue to leverage social media and our Members Matter (the member newsletter) to highlight, promote and connect nonprofits statewide. Lastly, we’ll promote the impact rural nonprofits have in our Nonprofit Spotlight and other channels.
We’ll be identifying and further building relationships with community leaders to connect, promote and share information between your community and the Association.
This isn’t a long list of changes but it’s a start, and we plan to be thoughtful in how we implement these changes to remain aligned with what you’ve shared with us. We’ll continuously refer to your feedback to inform our decision making, whether that be how we approach conferences to workshop topics.
Again, thank you for your thoughtful feedback last year. We’re continuing to reach out and learn from you about other ways the Association can work alongside your organization. Reach out if you have any questions, want to chat or simply have more to share.
Sincerely,
Melanie Tsuchida
Manager of Strategic Learning
Our annual Nonprofit Day Conference is scheduled for March 20, 2020, this year, and we are excited! This is one of our favorite days of the year!
It started out as a simple celebratory luncheon with nonprofit professionals and local leaders, and over the years has grown to boast a morning plenary, over 25 breakout sessions, national keynote speakers, and more than 500 people in attendance!
The heart of this event remains the same – connect and energize! People come from Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Pueblo, and Denver. Yet, it still feels like a small, tight-knit family gathering. Our team provides extra time between every activity for you to high five, take selfies, exchange business cards, embrace, and make introductions to new friends.
We create an environment of “brave space” throughout the day for you to challenge your assumptions, ask questions, and dialog. We come together to harness the inspiration of our peers, often finding new ways to frame creative initiatives and collaborate on meaningful projects. Connecting through shared experience at NPDC is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. It is reinvigorating. The possibilities that arise are boundless!
As many of you know, not long ago, we were the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. We merged with Colorado Nonprofit Association in July 2018 and have been in a whirlwind of growth and expansion since! We’re offering more in-person training sessions, roundtables, networking opportunities, and access to new technologies that cross geographic bounds. We also gained local representation in statewide public policy efforts, and so much more.
That said, after the awards lunch last year, we want to revisit our roots and make this conference feel like year’s past. This, combined with a big year ahead, motivated our team to ensure NPDC feels true to our community while acknowledging the discourse happening around us. We made a decision to focus on “civility.”
We’re not talking about civility in the passive definition of politeness. Politeness may be a necessary place to begin, but we intend to take it further. Exploring conversations about disagreeing with respect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same.
Civility is the hard work of staying present, even with those with whom we may fiercely disagree with. It is about negotiating differences in a way that everyone’s voice is heard, and no voices are ignored.
It is our aim to set a precedent. We are fostering civility in our own thoughts and actions by the way we:
Chanda Smith Baker is the Senior Vice President of Impact at the Minneapolis Foundation. Ms. Smith Baker oversees the Foundation’s grantmaking programs, provides strategic direction to community initiatives and partnerships, and is the event and podcast host of Conversations with Chanda. She hopes to more inclusively define philanthropy and who gets to participate in it.
We have asked Ms. Smith Baker to share her wisdom and insight from her years of bringing Minneapolis residents together to discuss the city’s toughest issues. And to do that, she has battled “Minnesota nice” — the tendency for people to steer clear of unpleasant topics and avoid making others feel uncomfortable.
Join us on March 20 at the Antlers Hotel to connect and re-connect with long-time friends, to forge new friendships, and nourish your nonprofit soul. Let’s get comfortable with discomfort as we explore civility together.
Sincerely,
Amber Coté, Director of Education and Service Enterprise
Nonprofit Day Conference is the largest nonprofit gathering in the Pikes Peak Region, bringing together more than 500 community members for a day of learning and idea-sharing. Nonprofit Day Conference is an opportunity for local thought-leaders to connect, enhance best practices and challenge the status quo. With over 20 breakout sessions, networking activities, and a keynote by Chanda Smith Baker, Nonprofit Day Conference is a one-of-a-kind event.
Friday, March 20 @ 8 am – 5:30 pm
The Antlers Hotel | 4 S. Cascade Ave. | Colorado Springs
Exhibitor and Sponsor opportunities are available.
To Exhibit, please contact Gerry Rasel at grasel@ColoradoNonprofits.org.
To Sponsor, please contact Lindsay Newman at lnewman@ColoradoNonprofits.org
Whatever cause is important to you, this new tax refund donation program is an opportunity to directly support a local nonprofit that is doing important work in your community and that you know and trust.
In 2019, Colorado returned more than $1 billion in refunds to 1.9 million state taxpayers. In 2020, Coloradans who receive a state tax refund will have a chance to donate all or some of it to a local nonprofit they trust.
Imagine if state taxpayers chose to donate just a portion of their refunds; this outpouring of support would boost local community causes across Colorado and make a massive positive impact on our state.
YOUR CHOICE. YOUR CAUSE. WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?
This new state program, called ReFUND CO, will give you an opportunity to directly support a local nonprofit that is doing important work in your community. If you get a refund, it puts you in control of deciding if you want to donate some or all of it and choosing exactly which Colorado-registered charity will directly benefit.
For eligible organizations, this provides a new way to fund important work in the community.
IS MY NONPROFIT ELIGIBLE?
To participate, an organization must be a 501(c)(3), registered under the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act (CCSA) for at least five years and in good standing as of September 1.
Visit this site for more information.
Sign up to receive updates and news about ReFUND CO and to stay informed about what matters to the campaign HERE.