ABOUT US
OUR MISSION:
SOUTHERN COLORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO HELPING THE CITIZENS OF THE REGION CREATE ENDURING, YET FLEXIBLE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE ACHIEVE THIS MISSION IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
Committed Governance and Leadership:
The Board of Directors believes that participation in the development of southern Colorado is a responsibility that calls for committed visionary leadership and stewardship.
Dedicated and Effective Management:
A professional, dedicated staff provides guidance to serve donors, fund participants, grant recipients, and other agencies so that goals and objectives of the Foundation are met.
Expanding Resource Development
Gifts that have direct, positive impact upon the issues of southern Colorado magnify and grow through the generosity of compassionate citizens.
Open Communications
The Mission and the Message of Southern Colorado Community Foundation reaches donors, agencies, and the general public through an effective outreach program
involving the Board and Staff.
Focused Grant Making
A value based grant making process, directed by a caring volunteer committee makes a difference in the communities of southern Colorado through well-thought-out decisions.
THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
BRIEF HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Southern Colorado Community Foundation was established in 1998 through the vision of Robert H. Rawlings. It is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, corporate entity that can receive contributions that are tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law. The first community foundation was created in 1914 in Cleveland. SCCF is one of more than 600 community foundations that exist nation wide today. SCCF is attuned to the needs of southern Colorado and is devoted to building a sense of community. It is such a spirit that attracts other organizations to partner with it, and, in so doing, everyone’s charitable efforts become more efficient and powerful.
OUR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY
Philanthropic Leadership – SCCF brings together leaders from the private, public, nonprofit and business sectors to identify and address the needs, problems and opportunities facing the southern Colorado region.
Resource and Asset Development – SCCF encourages and manages charitable gifts and bequests. SCCF offers diverse and flexible opportunities for giving within a permanent community endowment and works in partnership with the specific interests of individual donors, families, foundations and community organizations. SCCF provides resources, services, and educational programs to donors requesting assistance with their philanthropic giving. SCCF also provides area nonprofit organizations with assistance in the area of planned giving and fund management.
Grantmaking – SCCF uses endowment income to provide funding for tax-exempt organizations that utilize vision and creativity in projects that serve their communities. SCCF is committed to a vision for philanthropy that is sensitive, compassionate and one that enables individuals and organizations to fulfill their dreams for the community.
Service – SCCF serves as a catalyst to identify major community issues and convenes individuals and groups to address emerging problems and opportunities. SCCF sponsors educational workshops in the community for nonprofit boards and staff.
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CONCEPT
The Community Foundation concept is as ingenious as it is simple – a means by which a substantial amount of money can be built over time from contributions both large and small, the income from which is used to meet our communities’ charitable needs.
Supported by Congress and its tax laws, the Community Foundation is a unique product of a democratic society that is built upon private enterprise. It originally grew out of American traditions of charity that would have those with ability provide opportunities for achievement to those less fortunate. Today, donors to community foundations are from diverse backgrounds with a common commitment to their communities’ well being. Unlike other institutions which directly provide services to the needy, the Community Foundation’s impact derives from its support for the promise of progressive new ideas and programs designed to address the changing needs of the community.
The Community Foundation's strength, immediacy and resiliency are owed to six distinctive qualities which exist in no other institution in such powerful complement.
1. A flexible, yet permanent collection of funds supported by a wide range of donors.
2. The relative independence to determine the best use of those funds to meet community
needs.
3. A governing board of volunteers, knowledgeable about our communities and recognized for
their personal involvement in civic affairs.
4. An organizational commitment to provide leadership on pervasive community problems.
5. A commitment to assist donors in creating funds and distributing proceeds in accordance with the donor's intent.
6. Adherence to a sense of community that overrides individual interests and objectives.
SOUTHERN COLORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert H. Rawlings Founder, Publisher of The Pueblo Chieftain
Donald Banner President of the Board, Banner & Bower, P. C.
Jane L. Rawlings Founding Board Member and Vice President of the Board, Assistant Publisher, The Pueblo Chieftain
Mark Swanson Secretary of the Board, Vice President, Centennial Insurance
Dan DeRose Treasurer of the Board, President, DD Marketing
Midori Clark Board Member, Pueblo City-County Library District
Barbara Fortino Board Member, Community Volunteer
Robert Jackson Board Member, Jackson Foundation
Priscilla Lucero Board Member, Market President, Wells Fargo Bank
Donna Maes Board Member, Community Volunteer
Kevin McCarthy Board Member, Vice President, US Bank
Rosemary Reilly Board Member, Community Volunteer
David Shaw Board Member and Founding Board Member, Shaw & Quigg, PC
Ken West Board Member, President, H. W. Houston Construction
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Doris Kester Executive Director
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