By Scot Kersgaard

What if, as a state, we set one day aside as a day of giving? What if we called it Colorado Gives Day? What if that day is December 10, like right now, today?

Well, we’ve done that. It is today. The giving is well under way. By the time midnight strikes, Colorado nonprofits will have raised millions of dollars, quite likely $10 million or more.

Sure, some of that money would have been given anyway. Some of that money will come from people who will cut back on their other donations in order to participate. Some of the money, though, will be new money, money that would not have been given otherwise.

What if you went to The Colorado Gives site and found a nonprofit you had not previously supported and made a donation? What if you gave more this year than you had budgeted? What if you found a nonprofit that called out to you and you got involved with your time—your very life?

What if, in giving more, you found that your own life was enhanced in some way? What if, out of a single, perhaps gimmicky day of giving, you found that you could give more every day, that you could be more involved in the groups you support? What if Colorado Gives Day is a portal into a new way of seeing and participating in the world around you?

At JVA, we’re giving it a shot.

“I view Colorado Gives Day kinda like a nonprofit shopping spree,” wrote JVA President and Founder Janine Vanderburg on Facebook. “I set aside a sum of money to give outside of my usual budget for giving. This year, some of the groups I’m giving to:

“HungerFree Colorado, a client and because I think Kathy Underhill rocks and because the idea that any child should go hungry ever, or have to depend on their parents being able to show up at a food bank just seems disgusting. We can and should do better, and HFC is totally focused on making sure we do.

“WalkDenver, because I’m on the board, and because our health, environment and economy will be better if Denver becomes a more walkable city. And because millenials are giving up their cars in droves and want a walkable city.

“Boomers Leading Change in Health, because Barbara Raynor rocks and the organization mobilizes boomers to do cool things. Like advocate for better health care policies. And help people through mountains of paperwork. And more.

“Colorado Fiscal Institute, because Carol Hedges can explain TABOR in a way that makes sense. And if we don’t fix Colorado’s fiscal crisis, really Colorado Gives Day would have to raise more money than the GNP of most countries to keep our state afloat. And there would go that quality of life we are all here seeking.

“Morgan Adams Foundation, because I just facilitated their strategic planning, and as a mother, I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose a child because there are no viable treatments available for certain types of brain cancer. That don’t damage your child. And their board members are all rock stars.

“Su Teatro, because I love Yolanda Ortega, and Jesse Ogas,

“And Mica Garcia de Benavidez because they by far have the coolest Gives Day Pitch.

JVA grantwriter and sustainability guru Meghan Camp is giving to Reading Partners “because education is one of my greatest passions, and when I volunteered for them, it was one of the highlights of my day to read books (I love books!) and work through activities with my Reading Partner. I want to support them in a way I can,” she says.

Marissa Jaross, JVA research and evaluation assistant, made donations today to El Porvenir and Colorado Public Radio.

Sarah Hidey, JVA’s Social Enterprise director, not only made a donation to Extreme Community Makeover, but created a page to promote the cause on the Colorado Gives site.

Hidey says she is also donating to Autism Society of Colorado, Women’s Bean Project (social enterprise), Denver Rescue Mission (homeless) and Sox Place (homeless youth) today. “My brother has autism and so the work that organizations like Autism Society do are very important to me!”

“I’m giving to Denver Kids Inc. because I’m on the board and because I believe that education is the number one route out of poverty. Also, Denver Kids Inc. has a graduation rate of 96% for the kids that are entered in programming, which is astounding to me,” says Jordan Evans, JVA marketing and business development associate.

JVA Research and Evaluation Associate Barbara Trenchard says she is giving to GroundWork Denver because she is committed to their vision.

“They are creating parks out of wasteland in Globeville.  Insulating houses and installing energy efficient light bulbs in low-income communities.  Giving green jobs to teens who need them. Growing 15,000 pounds of vegetables on unused urban sites that went into DPS students’ lunches last year. GroundWork Denver builds communities, connects urban residents to nature and protects our environment,” she says.

“I’ll be fundraising for Smart-Girl at the Brew on Broadway from 5:00-7:00 pm this evening,” says JVA grantwriter and marketing man, Smart-Girl board member, Collin Lessing. “For me, Smart-Girl is important because it provides middle school boys and girls with the tools to realize their full potential and make smart choices to become confident, capable and self-reliant young adults. A donation at the event gets you a free beer,” he says. Collin will also make donations to Clinica Tepeyac, the Center for African American Health and Colorado Youth at Risk because they are some of his favorite local organizations who are strengthening the Denver community.