Colorado Gives Day 2016 raises $33.8 million in 24 hours

ARVADA, Colo. (December 7, 2016) – Colorado Gives Day remains the state’s largest day of giving. Generous donors gave $33.8 million to 2,111 nonprofits in just 24 hours on December 6, 2016. This is an increase over the $28.5 million that was donated on Colorado Gives Day 2015.

In total, 145,763 donations were made. Amounts range from $10 to $1.48 million. The largest gift was given to the Schlessman Family YMCA. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Inc. received the greatest number of donations (3,000+).

A portion of the $33.8 million raised came through KidsforColoradoGives.org, a new website designed specifically for young givers. “We’re inspired to witness the next generation of Coloradans giving up their allowances and holiday presents to make their neighborhoods better places to live, work and play,” said Marla J. Williams, president and CEO, Community First Foundation.

Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day is powered by ColoradoGives.org, a year-round, online giving website featuring more than 2,000 nonprofits.

Colorado Gives Day is one the most successful events of its kind in the nation. Since its inception in 2010, the event has raised more than $145 million for Colorado nonprofits.

The first gift of the day was made to Colorado Families for Hands + Voices at 12:00 a.m. on December 6. The last gift to iEmpathize came in at 11:59 p.m.

“Colorado Gives Day has changed the landscape of giving in Colorado and is the ultimate feel-good giving experience,” said Williams. “We are moved by this outpouring of generosity and thank each and every donor for supporting Colorado nonprofits and the great work they do to make our lives better. These numbers show that Coloradans value the many ways nonprofits enrich our lives.”

“This has been an amazing journey for FirstBank and Community First Foundation,” said John Ikard, CEO of FirstBank. “We’ve seen Colorado Gives Day go from a $1 million goal in 2010 to collectively raising more than $145 million for nonprofits. This isn’t just a successful statewide giving movement anymore, it’s shown the nation a thing or two about the generosity of Coloradans.”

FirstBank Sponsorship Boosts Donations
FirstBank once again donated $600,000 to this year’s program, which includes $100,000 in cash prizes for nonprofits. Community First Foundation matched FirstBank’s $500,000 to create a $1 Million Incentive Fund. The incentive fund proportionally increases the value of every dollar donated. For example, if a nonprofit organization received 10 percent of the total dollars raised on Colorado Gives Day, that same nonprofit will receive 10 percent of the $1 Million Incentive Fund.

Generous Media Sponsors
Colorado Gives Day would not be a success without the help of our media sponsors who generously donated space and air time to promote Colorado Gives Day. They include:

• The Networks of 9NEWS
• Univision
• iHeartMedia
• Comcast
• Denver Business Journal
• Mile High Outdoor Advertising
• Rocky Mountain PBS
• Colorado Public Television (CPT12, PBS)
• Outdoor Promotions of Colorado
• 5280 Magazine

About FirstBank
FirstBank operates more than 120 locations in Colorado, Arizona and California. FirstBank is the largest locally owned banking organization in Colorado, serving more than 700,000 customers. Since 2000, FirstBank has contributed more than $55 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. FirstBank is unique in that a majority of its stock is owned by management and employees. For more information, visit efirstbank.com.

About Community First Foundation
Since 1975, Community First Foundation has been helping generous donors and innovative nonprofits come together to improve the quality of life and create positive change in Jefferson County, the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. We serve as a connector, partner, collaborator and resource to fuel the power of community for the greater good. For more information, visit CommunityFirstFoundation.org.