Mile High United Way and Community Shares
Community Shares Member Agencies,
Thank you for your patience as we worked through how the Mile High United Way Impact Plan RFP process would impact your Community Shares membership. We're pleased to announce we have reached a collaborative solution with Mile High United Way (MHUW) that will benefit nonprofits and the community.
This page includes details of how this relationship will work over the next two years and going into the future. Don't worry if you don't understand every piece of it today! We will go over this information at the winter business meeting and keep you updated and informed so your nonprofit is aware of all potential opportunities related to this transition.
As always, you are welcome to contact Alyssa Kopf at alyssa@cshares.org or 303-861-7507 with questions or for clarification.
What This Means for 2009-2010
First, all Community Shares agencies interested in applying for funding from MHUW are encouraged to do so. Please visit MHUW's website for more information about the Impact Plan and application process. If your agency attended a pre-application session and is eligible for funding, we encourage you to work directly with MHUW on preparing and submitting your proposal. Remember, all applications are due October 29, 2009.
Your Community Shares membership will not be affected by applying for MHUW funding and your MHUW funding application will not be affected by your Community Shares membership. Best of luck with the process!
After considering how to best manage nonprofits through this transition, Community Shares and Mile High United Way agreed that all nonprofits in Denver will remain with their current federation for the 2010 campaign regardless of whether or not they are funded through the Impact Plan process. This will ensure nonprofits formerly affiliated with MHUW will be able to apply for membership with other federations for the 2011 campaign and not miss a campaign year. This also means Community Shares agencies can apply for MHUW funding without risking your existing workplace giving relationship.
One requirement of accepting funding from MHUW is offering a workplace giving campaign at your nonprofit. We agreed that the campaign would be offered as a joint campaign with MHUW and CSC both listed as options using a combined pledge form. CSC will have those pledge forms available for members next fall.
What This Means for 2010 and Beyond
What is most exciting about our agreement with MHUW is going forward your nonprofit can elect to maintain membership with Community Shares while working with MHUW in their network of direct-service providers. Our current members will not be compelled to choose between MHUW and Community Shares; rather, MHUW and Community Shares will work together to fund your essential work. As long as your nonprofit chooses to be a member of Community Shares, MHUW will honor that choice and it will not negatively affect your merits for contributing to meet the strategic goals of their Impact Plan.
Going into the 2011 campaign, every Community Shares nonprofit will have the option to remain a member of Community Shares while receiving MHUW funding. If a nonprofit chooses, you will also have the option to end your relationship with Community Shares and align with MHUW for the 2011 giving campaign. Again, how your nonprofit chooses to affiliate for the combined giving campaigns will not affect your Impact Plan funding. When it comes time to make that decision, we will work with your nonprofit to help you come to a fair assessment of what will most benefit your organization.
Recognition and Thanks
Throughout this process, I have been continually impressed and inspired by the commitment to building a strong community displayed by Christine Benero and the staff of Mile High United Way. This collaborative solution markes a turning point in how our federations can work together on our shared goals. Special thanks to Jerene Petersen, Mile High United Way's Vice President of Community Impact, who will work with us to make this a smooth process for our member nonprofits.
Thanks to the board of directors of Community Shares for their steadfast commitment to mission-based leadership.
Finally, thanks to our member agencies who stuck with us through this process. Community Shares' commitment to inclusive philanthropy depends upon a unified family of member agencies that believe giving works best when it is a reflection of our vital and vibrant community. We are proud to be your partner in philanthropy and thank you for your excellent work!
Sincere regards,
Alyssa Kopf, CEO
Community Shares of Colorado
alyssa@cshares.org, 303-861-7507
