By Collin Lessing, JVA Consulting

Community First Foundation and FirstBank and set their sites high when they decided to raise $1 million in one day for Colorado nonprofits. In Tuesday’s Nonprofit Street post by Janine Vanderburg, she reminded us that Jim Collins, author of Good to Great: Why Some Companies make the Leap…and Others Don’t, might refer to Colorado Gives Day’s 24-hour $1 million target as a Big Hairy Audacious Goal or “BHAG.”

“A BHAG is a huge daunting goal—like a big mountain to climb. It is clear, compelling, and people “get it” right away. A BHAG serves a unifying focal point of effort, galvanizing people creating team spirit as people strive toward a finish line. Life the 1960’s NASA moon mission, a BHAG captures the imagination and grabs people in the gut.”

Excerpt from Good to Great: Why Some Companies make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins, p. 202

With Colorado ranking among the lowest states in charitable contributions, it not only highlights the “hairy audacity” of Colorado Gives Day’s target goal, it underscores the importance of this massive fundraising event for the Colorado community.

Paralleling the achievements of the companies profiled in Good to Great in the way they incorporate BHAGs, Colorado Gives Day was a resounding success. Community First Foundation and First Bank raised more than $8 million dollars.

At JVA, we see Colorado Gives Day and its remarkable results as a catalyst for strengthening Colorado’s nonprofit sector—not only in the way the Colorado community views charitable giving, but it in the way charitable organizations think about connecting with their community.

Next week, we will share totals raised by some Colorado nonprofits that participated in Colorado Gives Day as well as their stories.

If your nonprofit participated in Colorado Gives Day, please feel free to leave a comment and let us know how much you were able raise.