Denver Office of Stategic Partnerships 2011 annual report @
2011 Annual Report Dear DOSP Partners and Supporters, 2011 has been quite a year of transition and change. We have had the privilege of continuing our work under the leadership of both Mayor Vidal and Mayor Hancock, as well as many newly elected City Council members. We have watched enthusiastically as the new administration has filled appointments for the majority of leadership roles within the City. We see the energy and interest around the Mayor s broad reaching vision that We are all Denver. It s clear to us that DOSP, and its focus on serving as a bridge between the City and the nonprofit sector, has a critical role in supporting that vision. Through all the change, the thing that remains is our fundamental commitment to building partnerships between local government and nonprofits to address the complex social issues that face us today. We continue to focus on building individual skills, tools, knowledge, and access for nonprofit and City agency staff to create partnerships; engaging in systemic efforts to enhance the environment of support for nonprofits in our City; and leveraging, coordinating, and maximizing resources to support nonprofit and City work in our community. We are so excited and proud to share our 2011 Annual Report with you, having had tremendous success in our programs throughout this year. We can t wait to see what 2012 will bring! Sincerely, Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships Staff Dace West, DOSP Director Denis Murstein, DOSP Green and Healthy Homes Project Coordinator Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships Commission Christine Soto, Christine Soto Consulting, Chair Albus Brooks, Denver City Council, District 8 Ariel Cisneros, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch Casey Cortese, Janus Shawn Davis, PDF Consulting Renny Fagan, Colorado Nonprofit Association Sarah Fischler, Mission Spark Sonya Garcia Ulibarri, Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver Kristy Judd, Metro Volunteers Angie Leach, CraftWorks Foundation Paul Lopez, Denver City Council, District 3 Toya Nelson, Governor s Commission on Community Services Astrid (Oz) Spies, Denver Foundation Amanda Stewart, University of Colorado Foundation Imelda Unibe, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Dace West DOSP Director Christine Soto DOSP Commission Chair @ 2
Connecting Government and Community Trainings DOSP offers multiple trainings throughout the year, designed to help increase skills, knowledge, tools and connections to encourage nonprofits and City agencies to engage in partnerships. DOSP s trainings for nonprofits and City agencies: Working Effectively with Local Government and Working Effectively with Nonprofits offer interactive opportunities to learn the fundamentals of building a strong government-nonprofit partnership. At the quarterly Spotlight On series, DOSP invites nonprofit and City staff to engage in an in-depth exploration of a highlighted City agency. 2011 sessions focused on the Mayor s Office of Education and Children, the Department of Human Services, and Community Planning and Development. 10 trainings delivered to 362 nonprofit and City agency participants 78% felt better prepared to build partnerships with local government or nonprofits 70% used tools and knowledge from DOSP workshops to enhance their organizational readiness to partner 51% had actually formed a new cross-sectoral partnership in the six months since their workshop DOSP Trainings serve as the first step for both nonprofit and City staff to develop an understanding for each other s strengths and capacities, to learn a common language, and to develop relationships. From there, the relationships build our ability to work together to plan projects, coordinate services, and secure resources. Wendy Hawthorne, Groundwork Denver In 2012, DOSP will again offer Working Effectively with Local Government and Working Effectively with Nonprofits, as well as providing a new opportunity to participate in small group consultation sessions as follow up to the workshops. The Spotlight On series will be offered twice and will highlight the City of Denver under Mayor Hancock and Human Rights and Community Partnerships. 3 @
Connecting Government and Community Nonprofit Capacity Building Program Nonprofits Served: Bennie E. Goodwin After School Program, Chicano Arts and Humanities Council, Child Advocates: Denver CASA, Colorado Cross Disabilities Coalition, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, Conflict Center, ego Car Share, El Center Humanitario, Feed Denver, Groundwork Denver, Hope Communities, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, Lowry Family Center, Mile High Youth Corps, Neighborhood Resource Center, Northeast Denver Housing Center, Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation, Revision International, Rocky Mountain Housing Development Corporation, Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute, SafeHouse Denver, The Delores Project, The First Tee of Denver, Total Oral Prevention Strategies, Urban Peak, Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, WINGS Foundation, Work Options for Women In this program, which spanned 2010 and 2011, DOSP partnered with the Community Resource Center to offer one-on-one capacity building in the areas of strategic planning, program evaluation, and financial management. All of these infrastructure areas have been shown to be critical in building the ability of nonprofit organizations to engage in successful partnerships with local government. 29 nonprofits received consulting services 900 hours of technical assistance provided 86% of participating organizations felt they had made progress in become in a more effective organization 100% of organizations indicated they felt their investment in the program was worthwhile The program has fine-tuned the direction of our organization, as well as our awareness of our strengths and limitations. This will allow us to be more cost effective and a better DOSP is working with the Office of Economic Development and a variety of nonprofit and governmental partners around a new initiative, the Small Business Development Coalition, designed to enhance and streamline services that help support the creation and infrastructure development of businesses around Denver. Services for building nonprofit capacity and infrastructure will be a part of this broader effort. partner with government and other organizations and to better serve people in Denver. Ronnie Rosenbaum, Victim Offender Reconciliation Program @ 4
Connecting Government and Community DOSP Outreach and Connections In 2012, DOSP will continue to offer regular Connection Sessions for personalized access, enhance its monthly newsletter with more in-depth articles on collaboration and highlights of partner agencies, and regularly use social media to enhance knowledge and connections. For the past five years, DOSP has produced an electronic newsletter, which helps disseminate information, announcements, and resources to over 3,000 users each month. DOSP also uses social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to share information relevant to nonprofits and City agency partners. To sign up, visit. DOSP is also committed to providing personalized access and opportunities for nonprofits and City agencies. Offered twice a month, Connection Sessions provided a forum for interested organizations to meet one-on-one with DOSP staff to share ideas and gain referrals, ideas, and introductions to build partnerships and further their efforts. 3,132 individuals receive DOSP s newsletter each month 70% say DOSP s newsletter is a useful tool to connect with nonprofit and City agencies 103 one-on-one Connection Sessions took place resulting in 68 new introductions to other nonprofits and City agencies 70% of referrals pursued out of a Connection Session resulted in a successful link and further work together As a former nonprofit administrator, I find the DOSP s monthly newsletter keeps me informed of funding and partnership opportunities within the City and County of Denver. DOSP s monthly newsletter provides guidance and training to assist agencies to successfully work City and County of Denver departments. Robert Robinson, City of Denver Office of Economic Development 5 @
Maximizing Resources Denver Shared Space Project The Denver Shared Space Project is a nationally recognized, publicprivate partnership that promotes the best-practice creation and operation of multitenant nonprofit centers in Denver. The Project serves as the local resource for information and expertise around shared office space for organizations within the social sector. Learning Community and Cohort Partners: 910 Arts, 1023 Santa Fe, Alliance Center, Aurora Human Rights Center, Colorado Nonprofit Association, Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, Common Roots, Community Resource Center, Community Shares of Colorado, Denver Open Media Foundation, Domestic Violence Center, Economic Prosperity Center at King Trimble, Emerson School Preservation Center, Innovative Alliance, Kim Robards Dance, Metro Volunteers, Partnership for Children and Families, People House, Phillips Center, Promise Center, Southwest Improvement Council 7,000 visits, 40 new office and meeting space listings, and new articles and content on www.denversharedspaces.org Created peer Learning Community for 16 emerging and existing multitenant nonprofit centers Explored real estate options and continued building vision and collaborative plans with the organizations in the Nonprofit Support Cohort Expanded leadership of the Denver Shared Space Project to 28 members, with a formalized the Steering Committee structure and four active Working Committees The Shared Space Project anticipates that 2012 will bring the opening of a new multi-tenant nonprofit center in Denver, investment in specific consulting support to enhance the operations of at least four existing multi-tenant nonprofit centers, continued learning and networking opportunities in the nonprofit and real estate communities, and refinement of a City of Denver policy relating to nonprofit facilities support. Steering and Working Committee Partners: Anschutz Family Foundation, Building Affordable, City of Denver Arts and Venues, City of Denver Community Planning and Development, City of Denver Department of Environmental Health, City of Denver Department of Finance, City of Denver Office of Economic Development, City of Denver Parks and Recreation, City of Denver Department of Real Estate, Colorado Nonprofit Association, Denali Investments, Denver Foundation, Denver Housing Authority, Denver Public Library, Denver Regional Council of Governments, icast, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Piton Foundation, University of Colorado School of Real Estate, Urban Land Conservancy DOSP s Shared Space Project has given the organizations that are part of the Nonprofit Support Cohort the opportunity to demonstrate how collaboration by our organizations can benefit Colorado s nonprofit sector. Once we are sharing space, our organizations will also achieve cost-saving operating efficiencies over time. Renny Fagan, Colorado Nonprofit Association @ 6
Maximizing Resources Government Funding Resources In order to enhance knowledge and skills related to federal grantwriting, DOSP offered a series of trainings for nonprofits and City agencies on grantwriting and reporting in 2011. Additionally, the Office provided more targeted training to the ten participants in the year-long City Grants Fellowship Program, building skills around researching, developing, writing, and monitoring federal grants. For the first half of the year, DOSP also managed the City s contract federal grantwriters, making their services around grants research and grantwriting available to nonprofits throughout the City. The continuing education provided by DOSP on grants has been helpful. I continue to use the pointers I learned from these trainings and serve as a resource to others in my department. Robin Valdez, Department of Environmental Health 106 individuals received training in federal grantwriting and reporting 86% better understand what is required to submit a federal grant 57% increased knowledge around researching and finding federal grant opportunities While managed by DOSP, the City s federal grantwriters submitted $16 million worth of federal grant requests In 2012, DOSP will continue to offer trainings on the government funding landscape at the federal, state, and local level. DOSP will also be launching the Funding and Contracting Efficiency (FACE) Initiative, designed to improve the processes by which the City of Denver gives out grants to nonprofit organizations. 7 @
Maximizing Resources Energy Efficiency Assistance Funding As part of its commitment to maximizing resources to nonprofit organizations, DOSP provides direct funding of approximately $2 million annually to nonprofit organizations to support energy efficiency efforts benefitting low-income Denver residents or nonprofits who serve these residents. Funding provides support for organizations to engage in outreach, conduct energy audits, and engage in energy efficiency retrofits and weatherization upgrades to homes and nonprofit facilities throughout the city. This funding comes to DOSP through the City s Franchise Agreement with Xcel Energy. Grantmaking decisions are made annually by the Facilities and Energy Efficiency Advisory Board. Sue Anderson, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Pam Kiely, PK Strategies Roger Lewis, National Community Land Trust Network Monique Lovato, Xcel Energy Foundation Susan Shepherd, Denver City Council, District 1 Celia Vanderloop, Denver Department of Environmental Health Nonprofit Energy Efficiency 2011 Grantee: Energy Outreach Colorado Nonprofits Served: ACS Community Lift, Archdiocesan Housing, Boys and Girls Club, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, Confluence Ministries, Crossroads of the Rockies, Denver Indian Center, Denver Rescue Mission, Dominical Sisters Home Health Agency of Denver, Escuela Tlatelolco, Food Bank of the Rockies, Habitat for Humanity, Laradon, Mental Health Center of Denver, Metro CareRing, Mi Casa Resource Center, Mile High Ministries: Issachar, Northeast Denver Housing Center, Open Door Ministries, Parent Pathways: Florence Crittenton School, Partnership for Children and Families, Project PAVE, Providence Network, Savio House, Servicios de la Raza, Tennyson Center for Children, The Empowerment Program, Third Way Center In 2012, DOSP will invest $800,000 in Energy Outreach Colorado s Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program, enabling 14 nonprofits to receive comprehensive upgrades to their facilities and saving them an estimated $70,000 annually to put back into programs. $1,500,000 of DOSP Energy Efficiency Assistance Funds invested 30 nonprofits received weatherization upgrades $219,000 saved for nonprofits 1,252,193 kwh and 112,454 therms saved As a nonprofit serving the inner city and operating out of older buildings, it is a challenge to raise the funds necessary for building improvements and for critical services. The extensive updates provided through NEEP at Victory Apartments have drastically reduced our energy expenses and dramatically improved the living environment. Derek Kuykendall, Providence Network @ 8
Maximizing Resources Residential Energy Efficiency $1,300,000 of DOSP Energy Efficiency Assistance Funds invested 1,791 houses receiving energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades $240,488 saved for families in energy costs 650,571 kwh and 40,993 therms saved We have found that the energy saving improvements provided by this program are valued by the low and moderate income homeowners that the Denver Urban Renewal Authority programs serves. We believe that the long term financial benefit of this program is going to serve not only the homeowners, but the community as a whole. Marianne LeClair, Denver Urban Renewal Authority 2011 Grantees: Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Energy Outreach Colorado/ Mile High Youth Corps, Groundwork Denver, Rebuilding Together Metro Denver Peeking Ahead: In 2012, DOSP will invest another $1.4 million in nonprofits conducting energy efficiency work in the community, impacting an estimated 2,200 households. 9 @
Supporting Collaboration Green and Healthy Homes Initiative The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) transforms existing housing structures into green, safe and healthy homes for Denver s low- to moderate-income residents. Working in partnership with government, philanthropic and local not-for-profit organizations, GHHI facilitates collaboration to address weatherization, energy efficiency, leadbased paint hazards, asthma and other health- and safety-related issues in a comprehensive a manner. Operated by the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, which is headquartered in Baltimore, DOSP houses the Denver component of a national effort comprised of 17 sites. The GHHI inspires hope through dedicated collaboration that we can save more lives in the low income community and improve the overall quality of life for many more. Mare App, Veterans Green Jobs Interventions in more than 800 Denver residential units, transforming them into green and healthy homes Endorsement of the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative Denver Compact by more than 25 organizations In 2012, GHHI will intervene in 1,000 Denver homes, making them green, safe and healthy. GHHI will also cross-train approximately 100 partner organization staff to provide comprehensive home assessments and will train 200 child protection workers, home health care workers, police and other first responders to recognize and refer appropriate homes for GHHI interventions. Partners: Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations, Building Affordable, Denver Department of Environmental Health, Denver Department of Human Services, Denver Housing Authority, Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Denver Water, Denver s Road Home, Energy Outreach Colorado, FRESC, Greenprint Denver, Groundwork Denver, icast, Mi Casa Resource Center, Mile High United Way, Mile High Youth Corps, National Jewish Health, Northeast Denver Housing Center, Denver Office of Economic Development, Rebuilding Together Metro Denver, Turnabout, Inc., Unified Association of Realtors, Veterans Green Jobs, Xcel Energy @ 10
Supporting Collaboration Denver Transit Oriented Development Fund The Denver Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Fund is a project designed to create and preserve affordable housing along current and future transit corridors. This revolving loan fund, managed by Enterprise Community Partners and deployed by the Urban Land Conservancy, provides needed resources to acquire properties at the site of future light rail stations and along major bus corridors where development is expected to occur. This effort protects the affordability of housing around these sites, even when land and property values rise. DOSP provided a $2 million initial investment in the fund, which launched in 2010. Urban Land Conservancy s success in closing on 6 Transit Oriented Development (TOD) acquisitions in last 18 months stems from a number of remarkable local and national partnerships. DOSP was essential to getting the TOD Fund established with its initial investment and for continued efforts in working with us on Shared Spaces as a part of these real estate acquisitions. ULC and the rest of the Denver community are lucky to have DOSP as a great partner. Aaron Miripol, Urban Land Conservancy $15 million total fund $9 million deployed 6 properties totaling 5.9 acres purchased Created or preserved 404 units of affordable housing During 2012, construction will start on two of the acquired sites and large scale planning efforts will continue at two others. 2012 will also bring new opportunities to identify sites along the East Corridor Commuter Line, Gold Commuter Line, and Northwest Commuter Line, and the fund may have opportunities to expand to neighboring municipalities. Partners: Enterprise Community Partners, Urban Land Conservancy, City and County of Denver, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Rose Community Foundation, Mile High Community Loan Fund, US Bank, Wells Fargo 11 @
Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships 201 West Colfax Avenue, #701 Denver, Colorado 80202 720-913-8852 @