1. Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorado Gives Day?
Colorado Gives Day is a new initiative to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. Presented
by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, CO Gives Day will take place during a 24-hour period starting
at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2010. Donations will be accepted through the website
GivingFirst.org, with a goal of raising $1 million for Colorado nonprofits.
When will it take place?
During a 24-hour period starting at 12 a.m. Wednesday, December 8, 2010.
Why was it created?
To increase support for Colorado nonprofits. According to Colorado Nonprofit Association’s 2008 State of
Giving Report, Colorado ranks among the lowest states in charitable contributions while having some of the
highest average incomes.
Who created it?
Community First Foundation partnered with FirstBank to bring this important initiative to Colorado. The
Foundation is a Denver-based community foundation that strives to improve quality of life in the seven-county
Denver area. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation funds community initiatives, supports nonprofit organizations,
and assists individuals with charitable giving. With the creation of GivingFirst.org in 2007, the Foundation has
focused on supporting the nonprofit sector through online giving.
FirstBank has over $10 billion in assets and over 130 locations in Colorado, Arizona, and California. It has
grown through consumer and commercial lending, innovative banking products and services and a high
regard for community investment. FirstBank owes their success to the core values they’ve held since they were
founded in 1963. Ever since, they’ve maintained a strong commitment to convenience, friendly and intelligent
customer service, and loyalty to their employees.
When was Colorado Gives Day launched?
The Colorado Gives Day Kick-off Event held on May 25, 2010 officially launched Colorado Gives Day and
encouraged local nonprofits to participate.
How are you engaging the community in this endeavor?
• Community outreach
Community First Foundation, FirstBank and participating nonprofits will join forces in the months
leading up to Colorado Gives Day to raise awareness of the initiative and encourage

2. Coloradoans to “Give Where You Live,” by donating online through GivingFirst.org on December
8, 2010.
• Online Happenings
In the weeks leading up to Colorado Gives Day, Community First Foundation will present various
online activities for nonprofits and potential Colorado Gives Day donors.
How can Colorado nonprofits get involved?
To participate in Colorado Gives Day on December 8, you need a complete, updated profile on
GivingFirst.org.
• If you already have a profile online, it must be updated by November 15, 2010. Please read
“Updating Your GivingFirst Profile” located on the nonprofit resources page. After submitting your
profile for review, provide:
o A completed ACH form and a voided check (allowing automatic transfers to a bank
account of donations made to your organization), if you have not already done so.
o Most recent 990s, audits, and management/governance documents.
• If you are new to GivingFirst or in the process of completing your profile, it must be submitted by
November 1, 2010. We will also need:
o A completed ACH form and voided check (allowing automatic transfers to a bank account
of donations made to your organization).
o All documents referenced in your profile (e.g., 990s, audits, balance sheets, IRS letter of
determination, policies, etc.)
Why do I have to provide an ACH form and a voided check?
In order to participate in Colorado Gives Day, you must submit a completed ACH form and a voided check
by November 2010 so we can transfer donations to your bank account.
How can I get help with my profile?
To work on your profile out of the office and ask questions, please attend one or more Help Sessions. They are
offered the 2nd and 4th Fridays every month from 8:30 – 11:30 am. Please call 720.898.5900 to sign up.
How can I build Colorado Gives Day into my year-end fundraising plans?
We have created a variety online tools and resources to help you. These resources are posted on the
administrative side of GivingFirst.org on the Colorado Gives Day Nonprofit Resources page.
Some of the resources you’ll find now are: Coming later:
• Reference/Fact Sheet • Additional online tools
• FAQs • Electronic and print ads
• Sample e-mail/newsletter copy • Press release(s)
• Colorado Gives Day logos • Personalized fundraising pages for your
• GivingFirst logos donors
• Social media copy

3. We will continually add resources. Watch your e-mails for announcements, or sign up for an automatic e-
mail notification to alert you when new resources are added. (Just click the link on the Colorado Gives Day
Nonprofit Resources page and register for automatic notifications). If you have questions or ideas you’d
like to bounce off of us, please contact us and we’d be happy to help you.
Will an incentive be offered to boost donations on Colorado Gives Day?
Yes! Thanks to our presenting partner FirstBank, your donors will have more reason than ever to support
you on December 8. FirstBank has provided $250,000 as the lead gift for a Colorado Gives Day
Incentive Fund that will leverage donations made through GivingFirst.org on December 8. The Incentive
Fund will be proportionally allocated across all donations received, increasing the value of each gift. We
will also be asking Colorado businesses and organizations to be part of a Circle of Giving and contribute
to the fund.
How will Community First Foundation calculate each nonprofit’s share of the Incentive Fund?
At the completion of Colorado Gives Day, the Foundation will determine each nonprofit’s proportionate share
of the Incentive Fund by dividing the total amount each charity raised by the total amount of donations to all
participating nonprofits. This amount will then be multiplied by the total amount of dollars in the Incentive Fund.
Incentive Fund Formula
Individual Charity’s Divided Total Amount Raised X Total Amount = Individual Charity’s
Amount Raised by on CO Gives Day in Incentive Share of Incentive
Fund Fund
Example:
Individual Charity’s Amount Raised (10,000) divided by the Total Amount Raised on CO Gives Day
(1,000,000) x Total Amount in Incentive Fund ($250,000) = Individual Charity’s Share of Incentive Fund
($2,500)
What does a “proportionate share” of the Incentive Fund mean?
It means that each nonprofit will receive the same amount per dollar for donations received through
GivingFirst.org on December 8.
In the example above, for instance, of $1,000,000 raised among all participating nonprofits, each
nonprofit would receive 25 cents per dollar on each dollar they received through GivingFirst.org on
December 8.
Is the incentive a race?
No. Each donation received during the 24 hour period starting at 12 a.m. on December 8 will receive a
proportionate share of the Incentive Fund. It does not matter what time of day donations are received.
Community First Foundation will calculate the proportional share of the Incentive Fund for each
organization after December 8.

4. How does this work for credit card processing fees?
Donations made on Colorado Gives Day are not counted toward the $100,000 annual donation
threshold where your organization would normally assume responsibility for paying credit card processing
fees. Raise as much money as you can on Colorado Gives Day without worrying about incurring credit
card processing fees.