Eagle County Gives Day giving exceeds 2023 collections by $10,000

Months of work from the valley’s nonprofit community paid big dividends on Eagle County Gives Day, the local arm of Colorado Gives day.

The annual day of directed giving resulted in a total of $1.47 million in donations, a $10,000 increase from 2023. There were 2,257 donors this year, who made 4,645 donations to the 55 participating Eagle County nonprofits.

Colorado Gives Day donations totaled $54.6 million across 245,790 donations. Nearly 800 new nonprofits participated in this year’s day of giving in the state.

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Grace Anshutz, the director of development of and marketing for the Eagle Valley Community Foundation, is the current president of the Eagle County Gives executive board.  

Anshutz said a number of the nonprofits had excellent years for fundraising. The fact that so many donors gave to multiple organizations shows the diversity of causes in the valley, she said.

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“Someone can support (the Eagle River Coalition and Eagle Valley Humane Society),” she said. And the groups that work together all have a “better together mentality,” she added.

Small Champions Executive Director John Weiss agreed. Weiss said Small Champions set an ambitious goal this year, and came close to hitting it.

Anshutz said while Small Champions may not have hit its ultimate goal, the nonprofit had an “exceptional year.”

Small Champions is one of several small nonprofits that participate in Eagle County Gives Day. The organization, which helps disabled youth participate in outdoor activities, has just two paid staff members and relies in large part on volunteers.

“We enjoy being part of” the group Weiss said. While fundraising is an important part of belonging to the collaborative effort, Weiss said the personal interaction at the monthly board meetings is also important.

“We get ideas, we get help on marketing issues, donor relation issues,” he added.

Anshutz noted that the story is similar for many of the smaller nonprofits.

“For the organizations that are all-volunteer, this event is critical, whether their budget is $100,000 or $1 million,” she said.

And donations, whether big or small are often meaningful to those giving them. Anshutz said the most common donation is $100, but many are smaller.

And, she noted, every donation goes right back into Eagle County.

Anshutz said nonprofits are about more than just fundraising.

“It’s a demonstration of how our community comes together,” she said. “People give their time, talent and treasure.”

Anshutz encouraged people to check out the Eagle County Gives website, and explore the websites of the nonprofits they might be interested in. Whether through financial giving or giving in other ways, she said, “You can find a way to give back.”