our vision
CCCF envisions a resilient Chaffee County where residents, nonprofits, businesses, and governments are thriving, interconnected, and well resourced.
Our Mission
CCCF acts as a catalyst to inspire positive change through the power of philanthropy to enrich the lives of all people in Chaffee County.
Our goals
Grow philanthropic assets and resources county-wide through donor advised funds, permanent endowments, and other donor-centric strategies that ensure this community is able to effectively invest back in itself. Encourage new donors, second-home owners, and even visitors to provide financial support for important needs and opportunities in Chaffee County.
Increase community engagement and leadership through trainings, building a volunteer and board database, and connecting community members with nonprofits and civic organizations.
Build lasting impact with county nonprofits through grant-making, providing one-on-one technical assistance, trainings, workshops, roundtables, and networking events. Work with partners to build consistent and streamlined grant opportunities and frameworks for nonprofits.
Our Values
We believe…
Philanthropy. Everyone can be a philanthropist and create a positive legacy for the community.
Equity. That community strength is bolstered by valuing our differences. That diverse voices, engagement, and participation are essential to building and sustaining thriving communities. We work to address root causes.
Collaboration. In the transformative power of partnerships around shared passions and objectives. We encourage and celebrate teamwork, pooling of resources, open communication and trust.
Service and Stewardship. In serving the people of Chaffee County. We strive to nurture lifelong relationships that span generations. We safeguard donor intent in perpetuity. We strive to ensure that the resources entrusted to us are protected and invested for positive, sustainable outcomes.
Innovation. In welcoming and working to demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity. We invite and encourage new ideas, and inventive methods for achieving community good.
Integrity. In building on the trust of those we serve by operating ethically and transparently, honoring our commitments, and demonstrating courtesy and respect in all aspects of our work.
Responsiveness. In being flexible, open to creative strategies, unique requests and constructive feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a community foundation?
A community foundation is a public, nonprofit organization established to promote and facilitate philanthropy in a specific geographic area, created by and for the people in that area. Read more from the Council on Foundations here.
Why a community foundation?
In over 1,000 other counties, towns, and cities around our country, community foundations have become a philanthropic focal point, serving donors, nonprofit organizations, and the overall community. But Chaffee County didn’t have a community foundation. Then, the teams working with Envision Chaffee County imagined it.
A small group of dedicated community members has already established the legal framework for the Chaffee County Community Foundation. We believe the time has come to create a powerful force for philanthropy in our mountain community.
Now we need the right people and the right partnerships to make it thrive. That includes you.
Who came up with this idea?
The idea for the community foundation resulted from Envision Chaffee County, a collaboration among county citizens, local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the local government concerned about the challenges of undeniable growth in our community. Participants overwhelmingly agreed that a Community Foundation would support the initiatives that were conceived to address issues identified during the process. And we believe a foundation can do much more.
What will CCCF do for chaffee county?
The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) will increase overall philanthropy in our region. It will support our nonprofit organizations, connect donors to community needs, build permanent charitable funds, and bring people together to solve community problems.
That’s a tall order. How will CCCF do it?
CCCF will do this by helping individuals, families, and businesses establish a wide variety of charitable funds. Grants made to nonprofit groups from these funds will reflect the charitable goals of the donors. Donors and their families will have an opportunity to be actively involved in the selection of these nonprofit groups.
Here’s an example: Jane Donor is passionate about young people and keeping them here in the valley. In fact, she feels that in Chaffee County there should be an avenue for students who are interested in the trades to get help attending a community college. With CCCF’s help, she sets up a charitable fund and each spring awards scholarships to deserving individuals. Mission accomplished.
That’s just one example. But imagine the possibilities: more scholarships, funds that care for our environment, support for nonprofits already doing good work here. The list is as fantastic as your imagination.
In addition, CCCF will provide leadership and expertise to address other community issues and serve as a knowledge resource for nonprofit, civic, government and philanthropic organizations. We have an untapped bank of intellectual property in our retiree population here in Chaffee County. The foundation will help link those who have expertise and experience to those who need information and assistance.
Working closely with community leaders, CCCF’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board will develop a broad perspective of Chaffee County. With this in-depth understanding, CCCF will be alert to emerging needs in order to respond quickly and effectively. CCCF will convene groups including donors, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials to work together on community problem-solving.
Evidence shows, time after time, that community foundations across the country foster greater giving and volunteering in their communities.
Want to know more about the early days and vision of CCCF? Listen to this late 2018 interview our founding Board Chair Ed Cooper and founding Executive Director Michael Hannigan had with KHEN radio.