To commemorate Colorado Nonprofit Association’s 20th anniversary, we asked 20 community leaders to help us tell the long and impressive history of nonprofits in Colorado. Through a partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS and with the efforts of Emmy-award winning producer Michael Spencer, we’ve developed a few short videos featuring many of our colleagues in the nonprofit and private sector. These were originally shown at our 20th Anniversary Gala, Nov. 18, 2006.

History of nonprofits in Colorado

To recognize Colorado’s important nonprofit history we acknowledge the formation of the Ladies Union Aid Society in 1861 and development of our country’s first United Way program. But there are and were much more our nonprofits have to be proud of. How it All Began (Windows Video)

Government and nonprofit collaboration goes back decades in Colorado, but the partnership between the two sectors has never been more important than it is today. Whether the cause be education, healthcare, culture or philanthropy, the early stewards each had their own vision for a great Colorado. The Shapes Nonprofits Take (Windows Video)

Many of Colorado's nonprofits were formed to serve those who were discriminated against, either because of race, religion or lack of resources. Colorado’s diverse population has enriched not only the traditions of the state, but the vibrancy of its nonprofits as well – right from the early days. The People Who Nonprofits Serve (Windows Video)

While the Colorado business community is very generous, more can be done to encourage greater corporate philanthropy. One way to encourage this in Colorado is through individuals serving as champions of important nonprofit causes in Colorado. The Nonprofit Communities (Windows Video)