Chinook Fund

Impact Statement

The Chinook Fund is a movement-building organization. We are recognized throughout the state of Colorado for our pioneering support of organizations that work to create a just, equitable and free society by transforming oppressive and discriminatory political, social and economic systems and institutions. Chinook supports organizations which are challenging the root causes of oppression, rather than treating the symptoms. We believe the root causes of our most serious social problems include entrenched, systemic, and institutionalized racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ableism and ageism.

Needs Statement

Chinook’s commitment to social justice and activist-led grantmaking has been unwavering, even as we evolve as an organization. It is an exciting, transformative time at Chinook, and we are incredibly fortunate to have YOU, our donors and volunteers, who have continued to give generously of your time and resources! The majority of Chinook's budget comes from individual donations and we rely heavily on the support of individual donors to continue our activist-led grantmaking and other programs. Your ongoing support has inspired new generations of donors and activists to keep building movements for change and liberation and we are truly grateful!

Background Statement

The Chinook Fund was founded in 1987 during the Ronald Reagan era, when a group of young, progressive philanthropists came together with a timely idea. Inspired by the recent founding of the Funding Exchange in New York, they wanted to give birth to a foundation which would support small, grassroots organizations working for peace, human rights and economic justice. They also wanted the foundation to be held accountable to the communities it served, and to provide a way to hold activist organizations accountable to those communities as well. . The founders decided to name the organization the Chinook Fund. In Colorado, a “chinook” is a warm, dry wind that blows powerfully down from the eastern slope of the Rockies, bringing a refreshing spring thaw to icy winter weather. And that was the vision for the new Chinook: supporting and growing grassroots democracy in Colorado, thawing a climate of increasing fear, bigotry and violence.

Chinook has long recognized institutional racism as one of the most dangerous and pervasive barriers to social justice. In 2002, Chinook staff and volunteers began to examine the impact of racism on Chinook as an organization. This exploration has been challenging, but the payoffs are truly phenomenal. It has bonded members to one another in a most extraordinary way, as we work together through America’s historical and very personal minefield of race and racism. We know that we are constantly striving to live and work in complete integrity with our ideals. Our decision-making bodies are comprised of people from various communities who represent different races, genders, faiths, sexual orientations, ages, abilities and income levels. While our inclusivity creates real debate, it also leads to powerful and more effective solutions. And we feel deeply honored to be part of a community with so much integriity and respect for one another. This journey has also led us to a broader vision of Chinook’s commitment to social justice. In 2004, Chinook adopted a new mission statement, one that includes our work to challenge and eliminate oppression. Chinook has expanded its work to achieve this mission, with the creation of our social justice education programs.

Executive Director Statement

"We believe that a collective model of leadershipleadership is a powerful and practical way to embed the mission and social justice values of the Chinook Fund into our organizational structure. We believe that it is critical to honor the wisdom of our communities and cultures that practice collective, “power-with” modes of leadership for social change, particularly in a society where the dominant culture values individualism and “power-over” hierarchies to maintain the status-quo of oppression. We believe that collective leadership minimizes the experience of isolation and elevates the value of shared experience. We believe that this model brings intentionality in creating a culture of dignity, respect and equity at the Chinook Fund, and ultimately expands the universe of support for and accountability to the communities we work with."

Board Chair/President Statement

"Volunteering with Chinook continues to be an exceptional privilege that I deeply cherish. As much as the Chinook Fund is dedicated to promoting social justice and freedom from oppression through its programs and grant making, it also provides collateral gifts. Perhaps the most significant of these gifts is the growth and development of volunteers, donors and staff. Like other volunteers, being a part of Chinook has given me the opportunity to advance my understanding of privilege and oppression, as well as what it really takes to engagein social justice work that impacts communities. I am continually humbled by the patience, support, and caring that Chinook activists, advocates, and community leaders provide to me and other volunteers.
To all you past, present, and prospective supporters of Chinook, I urge you to get involved, volunteer, donate, and encourage others. The Colorado community needs organizations like Chinook that fearlessly fight for
social justice."
-Jesse King

"I give to the Chinook Fund because it feels like a way to both support amazing work that is being done in Colorado for deep social change, and also be a part of changing how philanthropy happens.
Giving to Chinook feels more like 'connecting' with social change, rather than just 'giving' from a distance." -Mackenzie Liman
"What stands out to me about CAVP’s relationship with Chinook, in comparison to our relationship with other funders, is that it’s a “real” relationship. When we have yearly site visits with members of the grantmaking committee we can be honest about the work that we’re doing and where we’re strong and what the are challenges we might be facing…it feels more like a conversation than a judgment. Along the same lines, Chinook invites and values our input in setting their own organizational priorities which is unlike most funders who are only interested in how well we fulfill their goals and objectives and that’s especially with the funding we get for direct services. In that sense, it feels like we really are partners in working for social change. I also think that the value of a grant from Chinook, for us, has been worth so much more than the money we receive. It gives national funders who support social justice confidence that our work is valuable. And, that this local organization that is supported nation-wide will continue to support us. It gives our board confidence that we can continue shifting our own priorities from direct services toward systems change because they know there are funders out there that will support that kind of work."- Jerrilyn Page