Colorado Nonprofit Association

Spring is the perfect time to revisit your organization's strategic direction, but a strong plan isn't just about setting goals. It's about creating a living framework that connects your mission, operations, and resources to drive real impact.

The Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado breaks down what effective strategic planning actually looks like, including:

✅ How to align your strategy with your mission and capacity
✅ The difference between strategic plans and operational plans (and why both matter)
✅ How to monitor progress and adapt as conditions change

Whether you're building your first strategic plan or refreshing an existing one, this resource provides practical guidance grounded in best practices for Colorado nonprofits.

Ready to strengthen your planning process? Access the full Principles & Practices guide and other essential resources at the link in the comments.

Your peers will be in Colorado Springs on May 14. Will you?

Our Connecting Colorado conference is nearly at capacity, and this is your last chance to be part of a room focused on what strong nonprofit leadership looks like right now.

This isn’t about adding another event to your calendar. It’s about stepping into conversations that help you move forward with more clarity, stronger strategy, and practical ideas you can actually use.

You’ll hear what’s working, share what’s not, and connect with people who understand the realities of your work.

If you’ve been meaning to register, don’t wait until you’re hearing about it after the fact.

🚨 Registration closes May 11. Save your spot now at the link in the comments.

Some challenges don’t come with a clear playbook, especially in nonprofit leadership.

On May 14, Connecting Colorado conference comes to Colorado Springs, bringing together nonprofit professionals for a full day of practical insights, honest conversations, and strategies you can actually use.

This isn’t theory. It’s a space to dig into what leaders are navigating right now and learn from experts who understand the complexity of the work.

Here’s a preview of what’s on the agenda:

🔹Struggling to engage with your Gen Z audience? Discover the future of connection with Kyle Christensen of Thropic Games
🔹 Facing high turnover or burnout on your team? Learn how to build engagement, retention, and sustainable leadership with Erin Slater of International Coaching + Consulting, Inc.
🔹Avoiding hard conversations that need to happen? Get essential tools to navigate them with confidence with Carnick of Onward Psychological Services
🔹 Ready to transform your board's effectiveness? Explore five powerful shifts with Martin of Elevated Momentum LLC.

👉 Click through to meet some of the experts guiding these sessions.

🗓️ Thursday, May 14, 2026
⏰ 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
📍 The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel (4 S. Cascade Ave.)

Thank you to The Denver Foundation for making this event possible.

Follow the link in the comments to register.

Next stop: Colorado Springs!

Our Connecting Colorado conference is heading to Colorado Springs on May 14, bringing nonprofit leaders together for a full day of learning, connection, and practical strategies grounded in the Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence.

From governance and strategic planning to DEIA, technology, and fund development, this event covers the topics that matter most to your work, led by industry experts who understand the nonprofit landscape. This one-day conference is designed for nonprofit professionals ready to strengthen their leadership, expand their networks, and walk away with tools that drive real impact.

📅 May 14, 2026
📍 The Antlers A Wyndham Hotel (4 S. Cascade Ave.)
⏰ 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Follow the link in the comments to secure your spot today!

What happens when nonprofit status is shaped by politics instead of policy?

That’s the question behind Senate Bill 9, which has now passed the legislature and is headed to Governor Jared Polis' desk.

For years, Colorado has aligned its nonprofit tax status with federal 501(c)(3) determinations. But alignment shouldn’t mean losing the ability to make decisions at the state level, especially when federal actions may shift.

Senate Bill 9 offers a balanced approach: maintaining accountability while reducing unintended consequences for nonprofits serving our communities.

Our President & CEO, Paul Lhevine, explores this further in an op-ed with Tom Downey in The Colorado Sun.

If you care about the long-term stability of Colorado’s nonprofit sector, this is worth your time. Visit the link in the comments.

Nonprofits don’t have to sit on the sidelines of public policy.

As state legislative sessions advance, nonprofits can play an active role by educating legislators, providing nonpartisan analysis, and advocating for issues tied to their mission. While federal funds can’t be used for lobbying, nonprofits may use other funds to engage responsibly.

In Colorado, nonprofits that lobby are required to file monthly reports with the Colorado Secretary of State. Now is the perfect time to make sure your organization understands the rules and knows how to engage effectively and compliantly to drive positive change.

Get practical guidance on legal requirements, regulations, and best practices in Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado at the link in the comments.