Apply for Membership

Membership Application Information

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member nonprofit of Community Shares of Colorado. We complete an annual membership application process and accept New Member Letters of Interest from June 1 - July 15. Our membership application process aims to assess both membership diversity and quality partnerships that enhance our philanthropic initiatives. The process is thorough and competitive because we are not in a growth phase of membership.

Eligibility Requirements:

Be recognized by the IRS as a 501 c3 organization for at least 12 months.
Produce an annual report that is available to the public and contains: program information, financial reporting, and lists of key personnel and board members.
File a 990 form with the IRS. If your organization files a 990 E-Z, you will be asked to complete a pro forma 990.
Be able to provide compiled financial information on request such as an audit, review, or profit and loss statement.
Be governed by a board of directors with at least five independent members.
Have a physical location, office hours, and a dedicated phone line.

In addition to these requirements, the Community Shares Membership Committee is seeking member agencies that demonstrate nonprofit excellence which can be measured by standards, including, but not limited to:

Strategic Planning
Board Governance
Regular Performance Assessments
Transparent Financial Reporting
Robust Donor Acknowledgement Systems
Stakeholder Communication

Community Shares Member Agency Responsibilities: All organizations must be prepared to meet the following requirements if accepted for membership:

Agency Representative: Each member organization must appoint at least one person to serve as a representative to Community Shares. This representative is responsible for understanding the partnership between the member agency and Community Shares. It is the responsibility of the Agency Representative to instruct and prepare another representative to attend any meetings or presentations on behalf of the member agency.
Marketing and Participation Units: Each member organization must participate in activities working toward the partnership with Community Shares such as attending trainings and annual meetings. Each agency must complete activities totaling at least fifteen (15) participation units each year and will be asked to self-report on these activities at the end of the calendar year. Examples of marketing participation may be found on the campaign resources page.
New Business Development: Each member organization is expected to work to open campaigns with new companies and participate in workplace giving campaigns at open worksites.
Annual Meetings: Each member organization must have at least one representative attend two annual membership business meetings. The first to be held in May or June and the second in December.
Trainings: Each member organization must have at least one participant attend a Campaign Presentation Training each year.
Recertification: Each member organization must submit all paperwork for campaign application to the Community Shares office by stated deadlines. In addition, member must make every effort to ensure the materials are accurate and complete.
Marketing: Each member organization is encouraged print “Community Shares of Colorado Member Agency” on stationery, newsletters, and other printed materials, and to add a link to the Community Shares of Colorado website at www.cshares.org. Additionally, each member organization should have extra Community Shares brochures at their offices.
Membership Dues: Each agency must pay their membership dues in February of each year. For the first two years of membership, dues are based on the agency’s budget. For the third year and thereafter, dues are calculated on a graduated scale based on campaign revenue.
Offer an internal workplace giving campaign: All member organizations with paid staff are expected to offer employees the opportunity to participate through payroll deduction in Community Shares annual fall workplace giving campaign.
Be an internal ambassador: All member organization representatives are expected to ensure that their staff and board understand the principles of the partnership between CSC and their agency.

Membership Application Timeline

June: Member Interest Form available on website.

July: Member Interest Forms are due.
August: Membership Committee reviews the Member Interest Forms. Community Shares notifies all applicants who are asked to submit a full Membership Application and notifies applicants who were not selected to move forward.
September: Full Applications Due
October: Site visits with applicants and representatives of the Membership Committee.
November: Membership Committee presents a recommended slate of new members to the Board of Directors to vote on.
December: Community Shares' nonprofit members vote on slate of recommended new member agencies at the Annual Business Meeting.
January: Membership with Community Shares of Colorado officially begins. New members are asked to take part in the New Member Orientation and to submit documentation required to participate in the fall giving campaign.

All dates are approximate and subject to change from year-to-year.