Local Peer Group Grows into Community Impact Driver for Denver’s Legal Industry
Local Peer Group Grows into Community Impact Driver for Denver’s Legal Industry
In an industry often defined by individual practice, a shared commitment to giving back has created an ecosystem where local legal professionals can come together to address pressing community needs.
“There is a real access to justice issue in this country. The number of people who can’t afford to receive legal help is enormous,” said Jayme Ritchie, Director of Pro Bono and Community Impact at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. But Jayme has seen a rise in pro bono work in Denver, which encompasses any work an attorney does for a client at no charge.
Small Business Spotlight: YellowDog
YellowDog, a design, print and marketing studio in Denver’s Clayton neighborhood, completed their first-ever period product drive, collecting more than 3,500 donations.
The 2023 State of the Period report found that nearly one quarter of teens and one third of adults struggle to afford period products, resulting in missed school days, lost wages, stress and embarrassment that no one should have to experience. YellowDog Office Manager Sara Lou Klein saw this need and felt driven to help. She had previously worked with the organization Period Kits and felt strongly about equipping people who menstruate with these basic necessities. Community is one of YellowDog’s core values, and owners Jenny and Dan Mulligan threw their full support behind the initiative.
Insights into Corporate Grantmaking: Strategies from B:CIVIC Investors
Corporate grant making is one tool for supporting communities and driving social impact. We spoke with three corporate foundations, COPIC Medical Foundation, IMA Foundation and Get Grounded Foundation of GFM|CenterTable, to understand the approaches of foundations of differing sizes, maturities and focus areas. There are several common themes across the foundations:
- Focus areas address critical community needs while aligning with business strategies
- The review process incorporates many voices.
- Extending engagement with grantees and leveraging your business assets to further support and amplify impact beyond the grant.
Keep reading below for more insights on building your grantmaking strategy.
Small Business Spotlight: Premier Members Credit Union
Premier Members Credit Union (PMCU) is the first credit union in Colorado to be certified by the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN). This certification recognizes PMCU’s greenhouse gas emission reductions, support of environmental sustainability and environmental justice organizations across the front range and their equitable business practices both internally and externally.
“Since 2019, our sustainability program has overseen a 17% decrease in the greenhouse gas intensity of PMCU buildings and increased purchase of renewable energy credits to over 20% of our total electricity consumption,” said Garrett Chappell, Senior Sustainability Specialist at PMCU. “We have also to re-invested over $40,000 to local grassroots organizations across all our member communities fighting to preserve Colorado’s environment and the well-being of our families and neighbors.”
We spoke with Garrett to learn more about the CGBN Certification and PMCU’s sustainability initiatives.
Small Business Spotlight: Green Spaces
B:CIVIC partnered with Denver-based Longer Tables to host a Community Dinner at Green Spaces. Our guests had the opportunity to browse the Marketplace, and we invite everyone to take a closer look at this innovative space. Read more in our interview with Green Spaces CEO Jevon Taylor below.
Small Business Spotlight: PEAK Resources
As part of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Tom Brinegar, vice president and chief financial officer of PEAK Resources, to learn more about their employee benefits.