April 2007 e-Community Holly disaster relief Our thoughts are with the people of Holly, Colorado as they work to rebuild their town and move forward in the wake of the tornado last week.  Volunteer Connection of Boulder County has joined with the Colorado Volunteer Center Network and other organizations across the state to set up a Volunteer Reception Center in Holly to coordinate relief efforts.  If you would like to donate your time, money or clothing and supplies, please call the Holly Tornado Relief Hotline at 719-537-6047. Thank You! Your support has helped Community Shares achieve and surpass our goal for the Community Giving Campaign!  This year we reached a new high in annual giving by raising $1.56 million for over 170 local charities.  Keep the momentum going: donate online to any of our member nonprofits! NetSquared Innovation Fund Award Community Shares has submitted My Colorado, our new program that engages young donors in philanthropy, for the NetSquared Innovation Fund Award.  NetSquared's mission is to spur responsible adoption of social web tools by social benefit organizations. Through an online vote, twenty projects will be selected that utilize the technologies, tools and communities of the social web to create societal impact most effectively. Winning projects will attend the NetSquared Conference and have a chance to win financial and technical support.  Next week we will send you information on how you can cast a vote for My Colorado and help us take advantage of this great opportunity! Investing Your Contributions In addition to providing funding and public awareness for our member nonprofits, Community Shares is committed to helping our members develop resources through our Nonprofit Sustainability Program. This year we are proud to offer our members an incredible Spring Training Series. We have partnered with Davidson Associates and Richard Male & Associates to offer free trainings on topics ranging from fundraising to making media connections. Your donations make it possible for nonprofits to improve their operations and focus on their core programs and clients. Thank you! Member Spotlight Spring is officially here! It's time to store away the skis and snowboards and retune your bicycle to enjoy the warmer weather and make the morning commute environmentally friendly. Bicycle Colorado is working for you to create more bike lanes and trails, and advocate bicycle-friendly laws to keep Colorado a safe and fun place to ride.   Read more about Bicycle Colorado in the Shares Blog. Partners of the Month Outstanding Member Agency Volunteer Connection of Boulder County   In addition to their participation in the Holly Disaster Relief efforts, Volunteer Connection will hold its third annual I Volunteer! Day this month as a celebration of Earth Day and National Volunteer Week. On April 21 over 350 volunteers will help Boulder County nonprofits with 40 projects ranging from painting to landscaping to cleaning up parks and playgrounds. Click here to sign up as a volunteer and take part in this great opportunity to give back to your community.   Volunteer Connection's commitment to Boulder County and the state of Colorado makes Community Shares proud to honor them as April's Outstanding Member Agency.   Outstanding Workplace Wells Fargo   Wells Fargo historically has been a strong supporter of nonprofit organizations throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. Their philosophy includes not only serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses, but also helping to ensure a prosperous future for all by supporting nonprofit organizations in the communities in which they do business.   Their contributions are primarily directed to Arts & Culture, Education, Economic Development, Health Care and Human Services. In addition, Wells Fargo has has consistently run a strong employee giving program in Colorado, including a nonprofit fair to highlight local nonprofits.  In 2006, Wells Fargo employees contributed almost $12,000 to Community Shares nonprofit member agencies! Community Events Save the Date!  Community Shares 2007 Summer Event June 13, 2007 6PM @ Belmar Event Center, Lakewood More info April 14 - Jeans and Jewel Benefit Concert for Kempe Kids 7PM @ Colorado Convention Center (700 14th St., Denver) More info April 20 - Bicycle Colorado Gala Celebration 5:30PM @ Colorado History Museum (1300 Broadway, Denver) More info April 21 - I Volunteer! Day 8AM @ Locations across Boulder County More info April 21 - Humane Society of Boulder Valley: 2007 Pet Odyssey Celebration 6PM @ Coors Event Center (CU Campus, Boulder) More info April 24 - Colorado CASA: 3rd Annual Light of Hope Breakfast 7:30AM @ Denver Marriott City Center (1701 California St., Denver) More info April 26 - Project Angel Heart: Dining Out for LifeŽ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner @ 360 Front Range Restaurants! More info April 26 - CWEE: Annual Investing in Success Luncheon 11:30AM @ Denver Center for Performing Arts (1050 13th St., Denver) More info April 28 - Five Points Jazz Festival 11AM @ Five Points (Denver) More info April 28 - Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital: Mutts & Models 6:30PM @ Tivoli Turnhalle (Auraria Student Union, Denver) More info Visit our Web Calendar for more opportunities to connect with your community.    "Isn't everyone a part of everyone else?" ~ Budd Schulberg