We are least open to minorities, immigrants and refugees, and we are not very accepting of senior citizens, either, according to The Community Foundation’s civic participation and giving survey. Our charitable giving rates are well below the national average. This is driven, in part, by residents not seeing the needs around them, and not knowing enough about what local nonprofits are doing to address those needs, our survey finds.
Colorado has the lowest giving ratio out of the surrounding Western states.
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Boulder County’s giving ratio--charitable contributions to adjusted gross income--went down since 2015, from 2.72% to 2.56%. If we brought our giving ratio up to the national average of 3.16%, an extra $68 million would go to local causes--and create some big changes.
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Whether it's the natural beauty that distracts us or the lack of knowledge about local needs, Boulder County continues to find reasons not to give. In Colorado, our county is near the bottom of the list when it comes to giving.
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The vast majority of Boulder County residents say they don’t give more to charity because they just can’t afford it, and they think most charities’ administrative costs are too high.
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Survey respondents said trust in an organization and supporting causes they believe in are the top two most important things they consider when making donations.
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The vast majority of nonprofits in Boulder County provide important services with budgets of less than half a million dollars.
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For every $1 million spent, nonprofits create 10 jobs, compared to 7 jobs created by the private sector.
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Volunteer rates are higher in Boulder County at 41%, compared to the U.S. rate of 30%.
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Boulder County survey respondents continue to feel our community is less open to immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities, and senior citizens.
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The number of people of color serving Boulder County residents in elected office more than doubled between 2017 and 2019 -- from four officials to nine officials. But that’s still only 8% of the 107 officials our residents voted in to office.
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Boulder County voters had a stronger turnout in 2018 than in the previous two non-presidential congressional elections in 2014 and 2010.
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While Boulder County residents tend to lean to the left of the political spectrum, a large number of residents are not registered to a specific party, and remain Unaffiliated.
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When we pool our donations and efforts, we can make a big impact. Thank you for supporting your Community Foundation.
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Factors such as budget cuts and untested methodologies have many concerned about a complete and accurate census count in 2020. Census data determines how congressional seats are apportioned and how state and federal dollars are distributed.
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