Community Resource Center (CRC) empowers nonprofits across Colorado through connections, convenings, and capacity building. Our work is defined by a unique focus on rural communities, intentional cross-sector outreach, and creating spaces that deepen local impact and opportunity. Each year, CRC serves thousands of nonprofit professionals, with programming that spans training, funding connections, and leadership development.
Why Rural Matters
Over 719,000 Coloradans live in rural areas, nearly one-quarter of whom are people of color. Rural nonprofits are essential lifelines in their communities, yet they face persistent inequities: higher poverty rates, fewer philanthropic investments, and limited access to training and networks compared to their urban counterparts. Rural leaders, however, bring forward innovative solutions and deep community knowledge. CRC’s role is to connect them to the resources and relationships needed to bring these solutions to life.
The Rural Action Network® (RAN)
RAN is CRC’s statewide strategy to strengthen rural leadership, build cross-sector networks, and connect funders to communities. Through a four-year cycle (2026–2029), RAN will:
- Host Rural Philanthropy Days® (RPD) conferences in each of Colorado’s eight rural regions. In 2026, CRC will host RPD in the Northwest region in July and Heart of Colorado in September.
- Deliver Virtual Funder Roundtables to sustain connections between nonprofits and funders between major convenings.
- Provide regional trainings and capacity-building supports designed with local leaders to respond to local opportunities.
- Expand place-based staffing to ensure consistent, locally rooted presence in every rural region by 2030.
2026 Virtual Funder Roundtables
Learn more about the 4 regions that are hosting the Virtual Funder Roundtables in Feb, March, April and May 2026.
Rural Philanthropy Days
The Rural Philanthropy Days (RPD)® program provides a powerful opportunity for the state’s most influential funders, government representatives, business leaders and local nonprofit organizations to strengthen partnerships and better meet the needs of Colorado’s rural communities. CRC hosts 2 RPDs each year in alternating regions.
Regional Convenings
Community Informed Approach
In 2025, CRC hosted regional convenings in all 8 regions of the state. We heard directly from local leaders about the importance of connecting and convening and the unique role CRC plays as a statewide capacity building organization. Leaders also articulated a deep desire for engagement opportunities outside of the RPD conferences. This 4-year RAN cycle is informed and shaped by the voices of rural leaders. CRC is committed to ensuring our service offerings including RPD®s, Virtual Funder Roundtables and trainings are designed by and for rural leaders and will continue to engage in deep listening throughout the 4-year cycle.
Rural Action Network® Stakeholder Evaluation Survey
Thank You to our Rural Action Network® Funders
