Change the world with a giving heart was the theme for this year’s National Philanthropy Day in Colorado, a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. The day shows that alongside Colorado’s identify as part of the rugged west, it is also one of the most caring places to live in the country.

KMGH-7News anchor Mitch Jelniker was in his element as emcee for the gathering. Since 1999, he has been writing about a 7Everyday Hero every week. At first he feared he may not get any nominees. But, another testament to the giving people of Colorado, the segment has aired for more than 13 years. He invited everyone to keep those nominations coming.

The awards presentation started with FirstBank Holding Company graciously accepting the honor of Outstanding Large Business. The bank is one of the best performing in the country. Zooming in for a closer look at home, the business has provided more than $40 million in financial donations to Colorado nonprofits since 2000. And it is a race leader in Colorado Gives Day as it has contributed $1.7 million to support the initiative with an incentive fund, prizes for nonprofits, and coverage of third-party processing fees. But the caring isn’t just about writing checks. It’s about creating a culture of philanthropy. The company has an employee Volunteer Program that encourages thousands of team members to volunteer their time to support organizations. Employees receive paid days off to support the organizations they love.

Adam and Jon Schlegel, owners of Snooze, an a.m. eatery, and winner of the Outstanding Small Business award, popped up the stairs to the stage like two skateboarders wearing casual shirts and pants and huge humble smiles. They shared a bit about their philosophy, reminding us that it “only takes a moment to make a difference.” But they don’t just give a moment. The two are sinking into the needs of the Ballpark neighborhood. In fact, Snooze’s marketing budget is primarily reserved for helping nonprofits that support the homeless. They hire directly from Urban Peak, a local nonprofit that provides employment opportunities to youth experiencing homelessness. A slice of every delicious pancake means change in the community as a portion of each dollar brought into Snooze makes its way into the community through donations, sponsorships, or in-kind contributions.

HomeAid Colorado was named Outstanding Service Organization. The agency serves those who are temporarily homeless. The organization bridges the way the way for builders, linking them with charitable projects that meet their interests and abilities. The outcome is the construction of first-class housing for the homeless. Since 1999, HomeAid Colorado has raised more than $3.5 million and created 43 housing units, which provide 275 beds.

Of course, each nomination is carefully reviewed and deliberated by an award selection committee. This year, the committee unanimously selected Valerie Escatel as its Outstanding Volunteer award winner and as soon as she stepped to the podium it was clear why. Valerie Escatel puts the attention on those she helps.

“Anytime I can work with kids it makes me happy.”

She, therefore, is a very happy person. She gives a great deal of time to Boys and Girls Clubs as well as to Bromley East Elementary School. She is started Adelante Juntos, an advocacy group to help School District 27J and its parents work together to increase Hispanic student achievement. She is getting skilled at accepting awards, as earlier this year she received the Mary Ciancio Memorial Distinguished Service Award for her service to her community.

Like Valerie Escatel, Joan Brennan, this year’s Outstanding Philanthropist award winner, shifted the credit. She acknowledged her family.

“Generations of family have shown compassion for others. It’s what I was taught to do,” said Joan Brennan. She continues this teaching. When she turned 70, her children and grandchildren gave 70 hours of volunteer time, and this wasn’t her idea.

“The fact that her children and grandchild chose that as a birthday gift shows how this has been a part of Joan’s life for a very long time,” said her close friend Marilyn Harris.

Joan went on to say she thinks philanthropy work should be a little “quiet.” She may be quiet, but her work speaks volumes. She personally provided the initial investment in the convening of the School Finance Partnership. This partnership laid the foundation for what became Senate Bill 213, one of the most significant education reform measures in over a decade.

Tim Schultz, Outstanding Professional Grantmaker award winner, is at the helm of of the Boettcher Foundation. Since 1996, he has funded nearly 2,900 grants totaling more than $173 million. But his philanthropy did not start when he came to Boettcher. As executive director for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs he designed a program of community development for 228 towns with populations under 5,000. He also created a program to help young farmers and ranchers. His pride and joy, though, was sharing the day with his granddaughter Sophie.

Team Community First Foundation was serious and a little silly, which exemplifies their work. The agency gets down to business and loves doing it. A pinnacle of the foundation’s work is its focus on generating awareness for Colorado Gives Day, a 24-hour event to inspire Coloradoans to support their local communities, which has generated more than $37 million for Colorado charities in the last three years. The representative who accepted the award aptly put in a plug for this year’s Colorado Gives Day, which drew respect, laughter, and applause.

It was like the clean air of the country blew in when Dorothy Brandt, winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award, took the stage. She sported a long-sleeved black T-shirt with the San Luis Valley Museum logo. Her voice, as sweet as the scenery of the valley, brought out spontaneous smiles from everyone listening. She delightfully declared she needed more time, but as for her part, she had practiced and knew she had her acceptance down to about 3 minutes, a departure from the 60 seconds given to award winners. She delightfully raced through reading the poem she wrote to share her story of winning the award. She followed by comically explaining her new understanding of the grant writing process.

“They asked what groups did we serve and I wrote ‘people’. I didn’t know there was another way to answer that,” said Dorothy. Her efforts were successful as she raised more than $300,000 in grants, donations, and corporate support for the museum. Her good-natured ribbing was followed with high praise to her funders.

“There would be nothing without the people who give us the money to do this. We are ready and waiting and you give to us. We are so grateful. Our country and people are worth it, so let’s keep working together.” Standing ovation number one.

She was a hard act to follow, but Griff Freyschlag, Outstanding Professional Fundraiser award winner, did an outstanding job of capitalizing on the audience’s enthusiasm (which is further testament as to why he is so good at what he does).

“Dorothy exemplifies what philanthropy is all about. You are passion and excitement,” said Griff to his fellow award-winner. He then made a confession: the job of a fundraiser is one of the best ever.

“As fundraisers we get to communicate exciting and interesting missions. At Denver Rescue Mission we ask people to invest in hope,” said Griff. When Griff signed on with the Denver Rescue Mission they asked him to hold a budget of $8 million. He saw beyond that and is continually and successfully working to expand the operations and offerings of Denver Rescue Mission.

The focus turned to future philanthropists. First, the Rocky Canyon High School Student Council lined the stage as Mitch Jelniker shared about how the council set a reasonable goal of raising money to make one child’s dream come true through the Kids for Wish Kids program. To date, the school community has raised more than $160,000, resulting in 26 wishes being filled for Make-A-Wish Colorado. These funds are all raised in a single week each year called Wish Week.

Marko Babiak is 13 years old. In his words, philanthropy can start at anytime.

“It’s never too early to serve your community,” said Babiak, who has been getting bins for Clothes to Kids of Denver in Denver Public Schools for two years. During his acceptance speech he announced that his neighbor, who worked for a foundation, invited him to pitch his project to the group.

“I found out my pitch hit the bullseye,” said Marko. The foundation will pay for the bins so that Marko can meet his goal of getting 50 clothing donation bins in DPS schools. Bring on standing ovation number two.

In his video, Marko gave everyone sage advice on how to begin: “Start by opening your eyes. Ask yourself how can I make my school, community and neighborhood better?”

From futures to lifetimes. Yet, Sally Rippey, winner of the Lifetime Achievement award, made it clear she is not finished in philanthropy. Following the reading of a long, long list of impact and achievement, Sally was invited to the stage. With a wink and a smile she concluded her acceptance speech in verse.

“I’m thrilled. I’m honored.

I thank you a ton.

But you all need to know

This gal isn’t done.”

Standing ovation three.

Now, in essence to the poetry of today,

It must be fair to say

That the hope is that the applause in our hearts never dies down

Because Colorado has proven

It’s one big giving, caring town!

 

Blacktie Colorado
Blacktie Colorado