Colorado Gives Day sets record with $56.5m in donations

ARVADA, Colo. — Colorado nonprofits are celebrating a record-setting Colorado Gives Day after 102,835 donors contributed $56,533,062, marking the largest total in the event’s 16-year history.

“Colorado Gives Day makes it so easy for people to support the causes they care about,” said Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of Colorado Gives Foundation. “The event is truly a statewide movement, and donors rallied together with a record-setting year when our communities needed it most.”

This year, donors were encouraged to upload selfies to the “Community of Givers,” a feature that connected participants across the state to support their favorite nonprofits. Every contribution was boosted by an incentive fund totaling more than $1 million from Colorado Gives Foundation, presenting sponsor FirstBank and additional partners.

“We are proud to be a part of Colorado Gives Day, especially during a time when our communities need it most,” said Kelly Kaminskas, chief operating officer of FirstBank. “This is about building stronger communities, together.”

Nonprofits described the day as transformative. “Colorado Gives Day was truly an incredible experience for Atomic Theater, and it exceeded all our expectations,” said Roselle Drahushak-Crow, president of the board of directors. “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and thrilled to connect with so many new donors.”

This year’s event saw participation from 4,618 nonprofits, with more than 92 percent receiving at least one donation. Support also extended beyond single gifts. Colorado Gives Foundation matched $250,000 in monthly donations, resulting in more than 7,000 new recurring contributions.

Colorado Gives Day 2025 Highlights:

• $56.5 million raised through 261,513 donations
• The giving period began Nov. 1 and concluded with 24 hours of giving on Dec. 10
• 616 nonprofits participated for the first time
• 92.4% of nonprofits received a donation
• 102,835 people donated, an 8% increase over 2024
• Donors gave to an average of 2.37 organizations
• Largest donation: $250,000
• Most common donation: $100
• $3.6 million raised through individual fundraising pages
• First donation: $129.25 at 12 a.m. to Youth on Record
• Last donation: $200 at 11:59 p.m. to Homeward Alliance
•  Ninety-nine businesses raised $496,988

Top five nonprofit categories:
1. Human Services – $10.8 million
2. Arts, Culture and Humanities – $6.3 million
3. Education – $6.2 million
4. Animal-Related – $5.7 million
5. Food, Agriculture and Nutrition – $4.5 million

“This year, the need was greater than ever, and Coloradans once again demonstrated why our state is one of the most philanthropic states in the nation,” Dunkin said. WalletHub ranked Colorado the sixth most charitable state in 2025.

Since launching in 2010, Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $581 million for nonprofits statewide, solidifying its place as one of the most impactful giving movements in the country.