Yampa Valley Gives Day Celebrates Dedication & Support of Regional Non-Profits
Amidst the spirit of the holiday season lies a key event that has become instrumental to the extensive network of vital non-profit organizations that support the communities of the Yampa Valley.
Courtesy Photo/Jenny Campbell
That event, which is entering its eleventh year, has come to be known as Yampa Valley Gives (YVG) Day.
YVG Philanthropic Services Manager Holly Wilson has been working with the Yampa Valley Community Foundation (YVCF), the organization that hosts YVG, for seven years. For the last five, she has overseen a steady and incremental growth in YVG as many areas of the country have experienced a decrease in philanthropic giving.
The Foundation’s mission is to lead “transformational change…by engaging donors in purposeful philanthropy, empowering local nonprofit organizations, inspiring impactful grantmaking, and collaborating to build vibrant communities” throughout the region. Locally formed in 1979, its first mission was to save a financially-troubled Yampa Valley Community College, which was accomplished by 1983. That institution has since become the Colorado Mountain College – Alpine Campus.
“The four pillars of what we do are sustaining nonprofits, impactful grantmaking, meaningful philanthropy and building community,” explained Wilson. “Yampa Valley Gives fits under meaningful philanthropy. It’s about connecting donors to the nonprofits in our community who work to enrich the lives of all residents and make this community a wonderful place to live.”
In 1996, the 501(c)(3) organization adopted a wider scope in a community-centered effort to raise funds for grant programs in support of education, the arts, health services, recreation and environmental causes.
A key partner in the move to becoming a community-wide organization was the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, which provided ski passes that were, in turn, sold used to cover the administrative costs of the YVCF through their sales. That program is called the Passport Club.
Yampa Valley Gives is an extension of the Colorado Gives Foundation, which is a statewide program. The goal of YVG is, according to Wilson, to “promote philanthropy through online giving”.
“We connect donors with causes in the community,” explained Wilson.
The Yampa Valley is an ideal location for this work, as it hosts over 100 non-profit organizations who are dedicated to improving the lives of the residents of the region by providing what Wilson called “necessary services” to the diverse communities throughout the area.
“This is so important because it’s become a huge fundraiser within our community,” said WIlson. “For some non-profits, it’s their biggest fundraiser of the year.”
YVG is run by a small group of committee members who meet monthly to decide how to spend budgeted funds for marketing, branding and sponsor recruitment.
Wilson went on to explain that YVG uses sponsorship funds to market the program through media, as well as social media, which has become a primary conduit to reaching donors throughout the Yampa Valley.
Courtesy Photo/Jenny Campbell
“All the money that is raised stays right here in our valley,” said Wilson.
The funds, which are only distributed to vetted non-profit organizations, are critical to those organizations, particularly with the rising costs of operations and the increased need due to economic factors at both the regional and national levels.
The funds that have been generated have been increasing annually. In 2014, which was the first year of the YVG program, it generated $371,000. By 2023, that amount had risen to over 1.3 million dollars.
Courtesy Photo/Shannon Lukens
“It’s just been incredible to see the number of dollars raised and the number of people participating,” said Wilson. “It has become a favorite way to give in our community. It’s been so great seeing the program grow, seeing more people of all ages participate and its development into a huge community-support day”
Even youth become involved, and Wilson noted that her own children will make their own donations after going online and reading about the different non-profit organizations and what they represent. From rescuingkittens to supporting sports programs, YVG serves as an opportunity to educate youth about the organizations that exist and what they do for the broader Yampa Valley community.
Donations are accepted through December 10th, which is considered to be “Gives Day”. Additionally, there will be a “Honk and Wave” on December 10, which features non-profit groups lining the streets of Steamboat and Craig to bring awareness to the culminating event of YVG day.
Courtesy Photo/Shannon Lukens
ELEVATING STEAMBOAT: Stories of Impact and Inspiration is brought to you by The Carpet Shoppe, where they “Elevate Your Space”!
This companion article complements the monthly Elevating Steamboat podcast, highlighting the people and organizations making a difference in our community.
🎙️ Listen to this month’s episode about Yampa Valley Gives Day featuring Holly Wilson and Glen Traylor!
