September 9, 2010 10:16 AM
The Boulder event was a blast with Greg Berry from W1sd0M hosting our version of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. In addition, our sponsors were there to raffle off a cool IPad and make the wonderful food and drink possible. Thank you everyone from Cooley, KPMG, Square 1 Bank and Trinet.
For the Denver event on October 6th, we are going to focus more on sharing stories about corporate social responsibility and EFCO companies. One of our Founding Members, Newsgator will be our hosts that evening. We hope you will join us and bring other founders and executives that might be interested.
You can do any of these things to share with others:
- INVITE Others by EMAIL - by going to the Evite and scrolling to the middle of the page. There you will find the words "INVITE OTHERS." Just click on those words and send a personal invitation to others friends email addresses.
- Share the Event Details on our Facebook page
- Share one of these news stories about the event
We have 43 attendees confirmed with one month until the event. We would appreciate your help in sharing this invitation and helping to spread the word so that we get a 100 confirmed attendees at the event!
August 26, 2010 11:08 AM
What a great evening to celebrate a great year for EFCO. We could not do events like this without great sponsors: (BIG THANK YOU)
Special thanks to Greg Berry from W1sd0M for being our master of ceremonies and to Dan Cuttler - Tri-Net, Mike Platt - Cooley and Ken Fugate-Square 1 Bank for being on the judges panel. With our five new member companies who played the game:
You can catch the photos from the event on our Facebook page and please join us on Facebook.
July 26, 2010 9:23 AM
If you run an established or emerging firm in Colorado and you are interested in getting started with corporate philanthropy/social responsibility, we would love to have you attend one of our 2010 recruiting and networking events. Please join us on the Research Park in Boulder on August 25th or Downtown Denver on October 6, please RSVP on our Facebook page or our the specific electronic invitations (Boulder event, Denver event ). Last year, Suzanne DiBianca, the Executive Director of the Salesforce.com Foundation and national board member with the Entrepreneur's Foundation helped us raise $6,000. You can see her talk to understand what the best companies are doing in the area of corporate social responsibility on our blog.
Both events feature a great social setting where founders and executives from local ventures can meet and learn about the Entrepreneur's Foundation from our board and current members. In our third year in Boulder, we will hold a competitive quiz show. In our first year in Denver, we are building on recent momentum created by new members that expand the EFCO program beyond our roots in High Technology start-ups in the Boulder area.
The events are free, open and well catered, but a $50 tax-deductible donation to EFCO is requested, by designating EFCO through the Network of Good. Your donation will help us off-set costs and continue to expand our message and mission of corporate social responsibility to small/medium sized Colorado companies. Our 2010 goal is to raise $15,000 to pay a part-time executive director for EFCO 2011.
We founded the Entrepreneur's Foundation of Colorado in 2007 to increase corporate social responsibility, philanthropy and volunteerism in small to medium sized Colorado companies. As an affiliate member of the National Entrepreneur's Foundation, EFCO helps companies donate 1% of Equity or 1% of Profits as well as 1% of time into their community. It is our belief that stronger companies make stronger communities and stronger communities make stronger companies. To enable this, we partner with the Boulder, Denver and Rose Community Foundations to move your equity or profits into the community. Through these simple means, our all volunteer board has been able to recruit 30 companies in the last three years. Donations from companies, that became liquid, back into the community have exceeded $100,000.
To put on events like this and our volunteer events through Boulder's Volunteer Connection and Metro Volunteers, we use sponsorships and donations. This year we are very fortunate to have support from Cooley Godward-Kronish,LLP, Square 1 Bank and Tri-net. If you are a local service provider and would be interested in sponsoring and participating in our events, please contact Ryan Martens at 303-565-2802.
July 23, 2010 3:24 PM
Our goal for 2010 at EFCO was to expand our reach beyond our roots. To do this we are actively working on two fronts; beyond venture and beyond Boulder. These two recruiting strategies are intended to help us plant the seeds for growth and long-term sustainability. The model changes described in an earlier post will allow us to reach to partnerships and profit centered organizations, as well as equity-backed start-ups. To move beyond Boulder, we are leveraging the Denver and Rose Community Foundations to start actively recruiting in Denver.
I am happy to report these efforts, sustained momentum from 2009 and an improving economy have resulted in adding five new members in the first half of 2010. These members include:
Closely (www.closely.com)
Closely is a new Denver-based start-up lead by Perry Evans of MapQuest and Local Matters. In addition, our own EFCO Board Member, Karyn German is helping lead the company. Closely represents a great potential for EFCO impact in Denver, given Perry and Karyn's history. Knock-em dead you two!
"Closely joined EFCO because it is a perfect vehicle for instilling social responsibility in a very young company. EFCO provides the infrastructure and resources to make the process of contributing early stage equity as easy and painless as it could possibly be. Also, I had a great experience as the company liaison for EFCO at NewsGator and I can vouch personally for how well Ryan and the board run the organization. I encourage all early stage companies to seriously consider becoming a member company." Karyn German co-founder Closely
About Closely
Closely formed in 2009 as a small experienced team with deep roots in local media, real-time technology and live content distribution. Closely launched Closely for Business at Demo Spring 2010 and are working with numerous distribution, content and media partners to deliver a comprehensive platform for live local marketing. Visit http://www.closely.com.
Doc Popcorn (www.docpopcorn.com)
Doc Popcorn was founded in 2003 by Rob and Renee Israel to offer healthier snack alternative in shopping malls, stadiums and other high traffic venues. We are thrilled to add such energy to EFCO into Boulder's Natural Foods space.
"We are thrilled to support EFCo through the donation of an equity grant and employee volunteer efforts," said Renée Israel, Co-Founder and Chief Marketer of Doc Popcorn. "It's important to us that we continue to weave corporate responsibility into the fabric of Doc Popcorn. So with our base of operations in Boulder, the epicenter of the natural food industry, it's great to have the opportunity through EFCo to give back to our local community as our business grows."
In addition to DocPopcorn's EFCo grant, Rob and Renee are actively involved in the Boulder Community Foundation and are one of the founding families of School Food project.
About Doc Popcorn
Doc Popcorn is the only fresh-popped all-natural flavored popcorn franchise system. The unique business model empowers franchisees to use the best corn, 100% corn oil and proprietary all-natural flavor blends to provide a healthier and delicious quality product in high traffic selling venues, simply and affordability. With locations throughout Colorado and seven other states, Doc Popcorn began franchising in mid-2009 and now has franchise locations operating across the nation. For more information about Doc Popcorn and available franchise opportunities across the nation, visit www.docpopcorn.com or call 866.599.9744, ext. 4.
ProtoTest (www.prototest.com)
ProtoTest is a 12-year old, Denver-based software testing firm run by Pete Dignan. ProtoTest expands EFCO beyond Boulder County and is joining under the 1% Profit model like Shareholders Representative Services, TechStars, and Foundry Group. We are really proud to add such a well known Colorado, High Technology service firm to EFCO.
Pete Dignan the CEO of ProtoTest said; "We joined the Entrepreneurs' Foundation of Colorado because we believe in the triple-bottom-line approach to business. ProtoTest benefits enormously from being part of a thriving Denver-Boulder area, and it is our responsibility to contribute generously to the well-being of the community."
About ProtoTest
The ProtoTest mission is to bridge the gap between people and perfection. Since 1998, ProtoTest has helped hundreds of organizations improve their software quality and streamline their processes. The company provides load & performance testing, functional test automation, QA process consulting, and Agile testing project services. ProtoTest also offers training in software testing fundamentals and testing in Agile environments. Visit www.prototest.com for more information.
Giveo (www.giveo.com)
Giveo is a new Boulder-based start-up committed to providing a new solution to social giving. Giveo founder, Ed Messman, is a 13 year veteran of Boulder startups and says, "Giveo is excited to join EFCO. Just as we work to aid corporations in their social responsibility, EFCO has provided us a great opportunity to contribute and give back to the community."
About Giveo
Giveo offers a white label social software platform for nonprofits, corporations and foundations. Corporations and foundations use the platform to leverage social cause marketing with their consumers and nonprofits use the platform to engage their audience around their mission and for social fundraising.
App-X (www.app-X.com)
App-X joined EFCO because of its belief in giving back to the community. We are currently working with the 1/1/1 model of 1% profit, 1% time and 1% of products/services. In our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment, App-X is diverting at least 50% of its waste from the landfill and has dramatically reduced it's energy consumption among various other programs. App-X has benefited from the support of the local community in its creation and evolution and is excited to be able to give back to future entrepreneurs. EFCO is about integrity and sustainability for the future of Colorado and we are proud to be a member.
About App-X
App-X delivers on demand solutions for Alternative Asset Managers, Impact Investors and Non-Profit organizations. All products are built on the Salesforce.com Platform. The company acts as a trusted partner to its clients delivering proven products, implementation services and ongoing support to its global clients. App-X is a 2008 TechStars company and was founded in 2006.
Thank you for the great work of our volunteer board these member companies represent an exciting inflection in the growth and sustainability of EFCO and our corporate social responsibility efforts.
June 11, 2010 8:21 AM
Have you ever wondered what it really means to serve on a board of directors? What exactly does the law require of a board? What does a non-profit expect of you? How do you decide which board to join?
If you have thought about serving on a board but didn't know what would be expected or how to get connected, this is the session for you. We'll take a no-nonsense look at what you need to know, and do, to be a stellar board member then come to this free training session in Boulder:
How to Be a Non-profit Board Member
The training and a Non-profit Board Table Fair and is open to
anyone living or working in Boulder County.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Board Training - 5:30 to 7pm
Non-profit Board Table Fair - 7 to 8pm
East Boulder Senior Center
Drinks will be provided.
You are welcome to bring a brown bag dinner.
To sign up to attend, please register online at http://www.regonline.com/boardmatch
You'll leave this educational session understanding:
* Your legal duties
* Commonly accepted expectations of board members in non-profits
* What it is like to serve on a non-profit board
* What questions you should ask before joining a board
Non-profit Board Table Fair
After attending the training on how to be a non-profit board member, cruise our Non-profit Board Table Fair to find local non-profits who are looking for board members right now. Learn about:
* their mission and programs,
* what types of board members they are recruiting,
* what they expect of board members,
* what current board members enjoy about serving the organization,
* and more.
April 21, 2010 1:09 PM
Thank you to all who participating in this years I Volunteer Day!!! On Saturday, April 17, we had a fabulous turn out at Growing Gardens coming in at around 50 participants (exact totals to come). We also had a handful of volunteers helping at Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver.
Thanks to Rally, miRagen Therapeutics, Symplified, and others for coming out to represent for Team EFCo! We had yet another triumphant year, coming in at 1st place for the largest participating team, largest group pledge amount, as well as largest % of company wide participation (Rally/Symplified)!!!!
More details to come regarding the outstanding participation surrounding this year's I Volunteer Day 2010!
April 14, 2010 11:17 AM
Last week in the Denver Business Journal, Bruce Goldberg helped us announce changes to the EFCO model that expand support beyond just 1% of equity for fast growth companies, to include 1% of Profit in LLC, LLP and S corporations. 
Based on a review of other Entrepreneur Foundation Affiliate models and a desire to increase our reach and services, our board voted to expand the membership model for EFCO. Beginning in March of 2010, we now have two different membership models and an optional membership fee.
- For equity-financed, high-growth companies, we continue to offer the 1% equity model. This model works through a warrant mechanism that executes at change of control.
- For partnership and profit-centered businesses, we are now offering a 1% of profit model. This model allows more profit focused firms to donate 1% of annual and/or 1% of liquidation profits to EFCO. This mechanism operates through non-binding promissory note.
- For all members, we have created a new EFCO operating fund at the Community Foundation serving Boulder County. This is now an optional, but default, 10% allocation to this fund for all new members. We will use this fund to operate EFCO and provide services in the forms of community volunteering, marketing and education services.
- For all members, we have created an optional membership fee. Like the new EFCO fund above, these fees will fund services in the forms of community volunteering, marketing and education services. These modest, $1,000 to $3,000 per year fees, directed at the large members (greater than 50 employees), will be instrumental in helping grow an income stream with a goal of hiring a part-time Director in 2011.
We are thrilled with the impact we have had in the local community in our first three years. We hope these changes will allow us to spread this culture of giving and philanthropy to a much larger community of Colorado businesses. These models are working at other EF Affiliates around the country and we believe it will work here in Colorado.
Thank you so much for your support. Let us know if you have any questions.
Ryan
April 12, 2010 7:29 AM
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Brad Feld handed me the reins of EFCO at the beginning of 2009. When Brad and I co-founded EFCO, Brad said he'd be CEO for two years and then it would be my turn to guide the 100% volunteer board to the next level. In reflection, it has been a great year that focused mainly on expanding our team for expansion in 2010 and 2011. We did three things of note in 2009:
- grew our board,
- grew our membership, and
- celebrated our success,
Before I reflect on the accomplishments of 2009, I want to really thank Brad for his great work as CEO over the past two years. If you do not know Brad, he has many gifts, one of which is ability to reshape and re-conceive version 2 of the things he is passionate about. Shaping a culture of giving in the next generation of business and community leaders is certainly one of those areas of passion for Brad.
In 2006, Brad came to me wanting to help reshape a program that Mike Platt, Rally's lawyer from Cooley and a good friend, and I created in 2003 at the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. This 1% club as we called it, was centered on donating 1% of equity of start-ups to your local community. This early giving model was based on an overall concept being promoted by Salesforce.com. What Brad did was help reshape the 1% Club into version 2 by simplifying the model and getting affiliated with an International effort know as the Entrepreneurs' Foundation.
Grew our Board
We started in 2007, with five companies and volunteer board of 7. In 2009, we thanked Kyle Leffkoff, Tim Connor and JB Holston for their board service and welcomed Kirk Holland, Seth Levine, Frank Amaroso, Tom Keller and Ken Fugate onto the board. Chris Barge from the Community Foundation also stepped up to help our efforts. If it was not for these volunteers we would not be recruiting or coordinating great volunteering events. Thank you folks!
Grew the Membership
In 2009, we added 6 new companies to our membership including:
There are couple of things to note about this group of recruits. Ignighter and Next Big Sound continue to add to the constant flow of companies from the TechStars program and miRagen represents our first bio-tech industry member. These members provide early equity to EFCO, but they also provide volunteers for local community efforts like iVolunteer day.
Contact me or other board members to find out more about EFCO and how to join.
April 8, 2010 3:43 PM
I Volunteer Day Boulder Project
April 17
In tradition with last year, Team EFCo will be "owning" the volunteer project at Growing Gardens from 8:30-12:30 (will show on volunteer connection website as full). Team EFCo participants are urged to volunteer at growing gardens, but may choose from any of the volunteer projects listed on the volunteer connection website.
EFCo will be pledging $10, of the required $20 pledge fee, per Team EFCo Volunteer. Your company has the option of pledging the remaining $10 pledge to make the event free to employees.
If registering online, please be sure to include Team EFCo on your registration form to ensure that the volunteer connection receives your EFCo pledge.
Growing Gardens Location (8:30-12:30):
1630 Hawthorn Avenue
Boulder, CO 80304
Free Lunch!!!/Volunteer Recognition: Calvary Bible Church, 3245 Kalmia Avenue in Boulder 12:30 - ?
Growing Gardens Sign Up:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dG43WTdlZFBkVXM2d2hTamZNc2NNa0E6MA
Please subscribe to this blog through email or RSS by following the links at top.
April 8, 2010 3:40 PM
iVolunteer Day Denver Project
April 17
In the Spring of 2010, Bluff Lake Nature Center will focus on planting hundreds of large native trees along the Sand Creek corridor that winds through the Nature Center. Most of the planting will be accomplished by teams of community volunteers. The projects will include removing non-native trees and vegetation and planting, staking and mulching native trees. Experienced Bluff Lake staff members and crew leaders will work with small groups of 7-8 volunteers.
To prepare, we ask that volunteers bring the following:
· Closed-toe shoes (preferably boots or hiking shoes)
· Hat
· Work gloves
· Sunscreen
· Insect repellent
· At least one quart of water
About Bluff Lake Nature Center
Bluff Lake Nature Center is a unique urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in east Denver, adjacent to the Stapleton neighborhood. Bluff Lake's 123 acres are home to an abundance of animals and native plants, and include a variety of habitats, including short-grass prairie, wetlands and a riparian corridor. Bluff Lake's award-winning programs focus on science education for schoolchildren throughout the metropolitan area. The majority of schoolchildren who participate in Bluff Lake programs come from schools with a high percentage of families who receive free and reduced lunches. Public programming focuses on the natural history of the site and features Jr. Naturalist day camps, fireside chats and naturalist-led bird walks. As a nonprofit organization, Bluff Lake Nature Center relies upon a strong core of community volunteers and donors for support.
Location:
http://www.blufflakenaturecenter.org/visit08.htm
Please contact Claire (cyoung@symplified.com) for further information regarding the Denver volunteer event.
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