Nonprofits Join Forces and Kickoff Checkoff Colorado Awareness Campaign to Up Voluntary Donations

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. - Jan. 12, 2018 - PRLog -- Eleven Colorado nonprofit organizations have joined forces to kickoff the annual Checkoff Colorado campaign, a public awareness effort to educate taxpayers and tax preparers about check-off giving and the opportunity to support Colorado nonprofits and make a difference in their communities. . This year marks the 40th anniversary of Colorado's check-off giving program which allows taxpayers to make voluntary contributions from their tax refund to their favorite charitable organizations when they file their individual tax returns. There are 20 charitable funds eligible for voluntary donations through the checkoff program on the 2017 state tax return; each of the funds was established after a vigorous review process by the Colorado State Legislature.

Check-off giving has historically had a great impact on the nonprofit funds eligible to receive donations. The average donation per fund is $10 and donors typically select three funds to receive donations.  Last year, Coloradans donated nearly $1.8 million dollars to the eligible funds and each fund received an average of close to $90,000.

"In 2016 more than 133,000 contributions were made totaling nearly $1.6 million in donations through the checkoff program, with an average donation of $10.55," stated Jon Pushkin, a spokesperson for Checkoff Colorado. "Compare that to the nearly $961 million that the 2.1 million Colorado taxpayers who filed individual returns received in refunds that year—an average of $471—and it's clear that more needs to be done to help the listed funds."

The funds represent a diverse range of causes that provide critical programs and services to communities throughout the state. The participating organizations in the collaborative campaign include:

• Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Cash Fund
• Homeless Prevention Activities Program Fund
• Pet Overpopulation Fund
• Military Family Relief Fund
• Colorado for Healthy Landscapes Fund
• Habitat for Humanity of Colorado Fund
• Special Olympics of Colorado Fund
• Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund
• Colorado Cancer Fund
• Unwanted Horse Fund
• Urban Peak and Support Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Fund

"The great thing about check-off giving is the ease in which people can donate to worthy Colorado charities," Pushkin continued. "A $10 donation can make a huge impact, and every dollar donated stays in Colorado to support the critical services and programs these nonprofits provide."

The Checkoff Colorado campaign was initiated in 2003, when the charitable organizations eligible for voluntary donations in Colorado decided to take the bold step of banding together because their voices would be louder if spoken in unison. The result has been increased awareness for check-off giving in general.

In 1977, Colorado became the first state in the country to allow a taxpayer to "check-off" a voluntary contribution to a charitable program from their state income tax return. Today, nearly every state has a tax checkoff program.

About Checkoff Colorado

In 2003, Checkoff Colorado became the first collaborative statewide campaign to raise awareness about tax checkoff programs. The campaign is a grassroots effort to educate taxpayers and tax preparers and is funded by contributions from participating funds. For a complete list of tax checkoff funds and more information on the Checkoff Colorado campaign, go to www.checkoffcolorado.com.