Pledge 1% Colorado
Helping Colorado founders and investors embed generosity into the DNA of their companies
About Pledge 1% Colorado
Pledge 1% Colorado is a program of Community Foundation Boulder County that supports founders, companies, investors, and funds in integrating generosity, civic leadership, and long-term community stewardship into how they build and grow.
This program reflects a long-standing belief in Colorado’s business community that entrepreneurial success and community well-being are interconnected. Colorado’s business community has played a formative role in shaping the broader Pledge 1% movement through the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado and the Boulder startup ecosystem.
Today, Pledge 1% Colorado is stewarded by Community Foundation Boulder County and offers opportunities for the business community to strengthen Colorado communities through sustained philanthropic participation and community investment over time.
Our vision is a Colorado where business success, investment success, and community stewardship advance together to create lasting opportunity for future generations.
Program Information
Build a Company That Gives Back From Day One
“Colorado’s startup community was built by people who believed in both giving first and giving back. Pledge 1% Colorado carries that tradition into the next generation, helping founders create lasting impact in Boulder County and across Colorado through a commitment to community stewardship.” – David Cohen, Techstars Founder and CEO
Pledge 1% Colorado provides a simple framework for founders, companies, investors, and funds to incorporate philanthropy and community stewardship into how they operate over time.
Participation is flexible and designed to align with how organizations are already structured.
How Pledge 1% Colorado Works
Participation Pathways150 Founders for 150 Colorado
Select Pledge 1% Colorado Companies
Five companies generate $750K for philanthropy through Pledge 1% Colorado
We celebrate the tenacity of our Colorado startup community after a tumultuous year. We’re pleased to share that five of our member companies were acquired during 2020, totaling more than $750K in philanthropic capital created during a year where we witnessed outsized need across every town and city in our state.
Altvia reaps rewards for employees, community-serving organizations
Last month, when Altvia publicly announced a majority recapitalization, the Community Foundation was an obvious fit to establish the Altvia Abundance Foundation, a Donor-Advised Fund. “It’s all closely aligned with what we’ve always espoused as a mission-driven company. To reach this point of recapitalizing feels very cool, very fulfilling.”
Early-stage startup gets acquired, establishes Donor-Advised Fund
“We feel that Community Foundation Boulder County is the easiest and best steward for our capital. Because Pledge 1% Colorado is housed underneath the Community Foundation, I knew the foundation by reputation – and I continue to feel good about its brand and its impact.”
Connecting social and financial equity, helping startups build inclusivity
“It’s about coming full circle where both equity scenarios intersect for greater productivity, success, and impact.”
Virtual Boulder Startup Week presents “Equity as the New Normal”
“For this year’s DEI [Diversity, Equity, Inclusion] Track, we wanted to help co-create a more inclusive vision for what the future looks like for employees and business alike.” Join us for this free online conversation on May 12!
