Barbara Henry's Giving Project Fundraiser

My Story

I’ve always believed that if we want real progress, we have to invest in change, not just charity. That’s why I joined the Giving Project. It’s about more than just moving money; it’s about learning how to shift resources in a way that truly honors the folks leading their own liberation.

In my role as the Executive Director of Domino Service Dogs, I see every day how critical strategic fundraising is to keeping a mission alive. But I’m not doing this alone. Several of my staff members and I are participating in this cohort together. I’m here to support them through every step of the process—from reviewing proposals and conducting site visits to making those final, collective funding decisions.

For me, this isn’t just professional development; it’s about growing together as a team and as community members committed to equity and justice right here in Colorado.

Here is my commitment: Over the next six months, I’ve set a personal fundraising goal of $15,000, and I am putting my own skin in the game with a $10,000 gift. Every dollar we raise goes directly to the grassroots organizations building power and driving systemic change across our state.

What is Chinook Fund?
"Chinook Fund seeds community-led, systemic change by mobilizing resources for and trusting in grassroots social justice organizations across Colorado.

Chinook Fund has given out over $5 million in grants since 1987. Chinook Fund pools money from Colorado’s progressive community and distributes it back to grassroots groups working on a wide range of social change issues, including racial, economic, disability, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ justice.

Chinook funding supports the most strategic work unfolding at the local level addressing issues of social and economic justice. Chinook Fund’s grassroots grantmaking is unique. We recruit our board, grantmaking committee, and Giving Project members from the communities we serve throughout Colorado. With the direct knowledge these grantmakers bring, we are able to respond to new ideas and fresh thinking. Chinook Fund makes grants that other foundations may view as “risky” but are often funding years later."

What is the Giving Project?

"Chinook Fund’s democratized grantmaking brings together a diverse cohort of people from all income levels who are passionate about social change and interested in developing in fundraising, grantmaking, and community building. Through The Giving Project and our Grantmaking Committee (GMC), we are committed to resourcing emerging social justice leaders across Colorado. 

The Giving Project is a process. It requires a commitment of your time, talent, and resources over a period of six months. The basic Giving Project structure is:

• A diverse group of up to 25 individuals commits to gathering 12 times online over the course of six months.
• Through workshops and trainings, the group develops a shared understanding of race, class, and power within society.
• Each person makes a meaningful financial gift—whatever that means for you.
• Each person commits to fundraising from their friends, family, and community to support the financial goal of the group. Chinook Fund’s staff will train you in grassroots fundraising and provide plenty of support.
• Each member is trained in Chinook Fund’s democratic grantmaking process. As a participant, you will read and score proposals, participate in site visits, write site visit reports, make collective decisions, and grant money to some of the most inspiring, effective social change work in Colorado."

My Fundraising Goal

To support these vital grassroots movements, I have set a personal fundraising goal of $15,000.

To show my commitment to this work, I have made my own meaningful gift of $10,000 to the cohort. In the Giving Project, we believe that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of income level. Whether it is $10 or $500, every dollar raised goes directly toward resourcing emerging social justice leaders across our state.

See the Impact

If you want to see exactly the kind of incredible work your donation supports, I encourage you to browse the list of past grantees: chinookfund.org/grantees