Join the Giving Project

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The Giving Project is an innovative new model for funding social change, building community, and leadership development. It brings together a multiracial, cross-class group of people who are passionate about social change and interested in building their skills in fundraising, grantmaking, and community building. Participants work together to raise and grant money to organizations that build power for social change in Colorado.

The Giving Project is a process. It requires a commitment of your time, talent and resources over a period of six months. The basic Giving Project structure is:

• A cross-class, multiracial group of 20 individuals commits to gathering 8 times over the course of 6 months.
• Through workshops and trainings, the group develops a shared understanding of race, class, and power within society.
• Each person makes a meaningful financial gift - whatever that means for you.
• Each person commits to fundraising from their friends, family and community to support the financial goal of the group. Chinook Funds’ staff will train you in grassroots fundraising and provide lots of support.
• Each member is trained in Chinook Funds’ democratic grantmaking process. As a participant, you will read and score proposals, participate in site visits, make collective decisions, and grant money to some of the most inspiring, effective social change work in Colorado.

You do not have to know anything about nonprofits, philanthropy, or fundraising. You could have wealth, you could be low-income - it doesn’t matter. There is no minimum (or maximum) amount you have to donate or raise as an individual. You should apply if:

• You want to make a difference about issues of injustice in Colorado.
• You want to learn how to fundraise, make grants, and expand your network.
• You are passionate about building community across lines of race and class.
• You are ready to take on a challenging and transformative experience for the next 6 months.

The Giving Project will be a multi-racial, cross-class cohort. LGBTQ-identified people, people of color, and low-wealth individuals are especially encouraged to apply.