Colorado Gives Day is an annual event that brings numerous nonprofits throughout the state together for one common goal – to raise money for all of them. The annual, 24-hour event has raised $145.3 million for local nonprofits since it began seven years ago, and several folks rallied at the Capitol Tuesday to raise awareness for the 2017 event, which is set for Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The Community First Foundation, based in Jefferson County and the Denver metropolitan area, and FirstBank are spearheading the event.

“It’s astounding to think in 2010 we were hoping Colorado Gives Day would raise $1 million for local nonprofits, and last year alone, it raised over $33 million,” said Jim Reuter, CEO of FirstBank. “As a longtime corporate partner, it’s been an honor to witness this statewide movement not only grow exponentially, but strengthen our nonprofit community year-after-year. We’re optimistic that momentum will continue on Dec. 5.”

Last year alone, donors gave more than 146,600 individual donations to 2,140 nonprofits totaling $33.8 million, breaking all previous records.

“Colorado Gives Day highlights the best of Colorado,” said Marla J. Williams, president and CEO of Community First Foundation. “It celebrates the extraordinary generosity of Coloradans and the important contributions Colorado nonprofits make to our community every day.”

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our nonprofit and thousands of other non in Colorado to focus on philanthropy,” Sam Fuqua, executive director of Pop Culture Classroom, tells Colorado Politics. “Having a coordinated campaign like Colorado Gives Day heightens the awareness of the importance of giving to all nonprofits.”

Pop Culture Classroom helps reluctant readers learn through comics, and introduces students to a variety of games and art to encourage learning.

How to Participate

Donors can search for local charities from any page on ColoradoGives.org to learn more and donate. Donors can also schedule Colorado Gives Day donations online.

The Community First Foundation urges parents to get the whole family involved. “Colorado Gives Day is a great opportunity to introduce a child to the joy of giving,” the foundation said. “The newly designed KidsforColoradoGives.org, the kid-friendly component of ColoradoGives.org, helps young donors experience the joy of giving in a fun, safe environment.”