A Trees, Water & People Staff Reunion

by Gemara Gifford, Development Director

As a staff here at Trees, Water & People, we sometimes find ourselves asking, “why?” Why is the work we do at TWP needed in the world, despite how heart-wrenching it can be? Or, on a sunny Tuesday like today, we might stare out of our office windows and think, “how?” How do we tell meaningful stories about our work that will speak to our fantastic supporters, like you?

The good news is, we were able to come up with some exciting new ideas! On July 13, all eight of us reunited as a TWP staff – some new, some old, those of us in Fort Collins and even our Assistant International Director working in Nicaragua!

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The TWP staff outside the office in Fort Collins. From left to right: Sebastian Africano, Diane Vella, Richard Fox, Lucas Wolf, Kiva, Gemara Gifford, Molly Geppert, Amanda Haggerty, and Kirsten Brown.

Our full-day gathering allowed us to dig deep and reconnect with one another, and most of all – to our cause. We brainstormed, “why” and “how,” and we enjoyed a series of team-building activities, a story from our co-founder, engaging presentations, as well as plenty of laughs and coffee to go around.

Some non-profits might call this a “strategic meeting,” but in Spanish, “meeting,” translates to “reunión” which is why we felt it was better to call it a “TWP Staff reunion.”

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Development Director, Gemara Gifford, explains how TWP’s work can benefit migratory and resident bird conservation – stay tuned for more!

The truth is, we are all here for a reason. You, as a TWP fan, are here for a reason. We remembered that Trees, Water & People is an amazing place with an incredible story, and over the past 18 years we have made tangible differences in some of the most challenging places on earth and with some of the most alarming rates of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.

It was comforting to remember that our work is challenging for a reason, but poco a poco (little by little) we can all make a difference.

Without the dedication of our staff and supporters here at TWP, none of our work would be possible. Make your most generous gift today and help us make our end-of-summer fundraising goal of $10,000 by August 15th!

Tell us your TWP story! What made you donate, volunteer, or “like” us on Facebook?

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Happy Colorado Gives Day!

CO Gives Day 2015Today is Colorado Gives Day! Join with thousands of other donors who will come together to support Colorado nonprofits on this annual day of giving.

Help us reach our goal of $20,000 in 24 hours for community-based conservation programs that help people and the planet.

What you need to know about Colorado Gives Day:

  • Colorado Gives Day is today, December 8, from 12:01 am – 11:59 pm MST. Make sure to choose the “CO Gives Day” donation type when you make your gift.
  • You don’t have to be from Colorado to participate.
  • Every gift will be increased by a $1 million Incentive Fund!

To make a donation to Trees, Water & People for Colorado Gives Day please click here and choose “CO Gives Day” under donation type – it’s that easy.

Thank you for supporting TWP on this special day of giving!

Support People & the Planet on #GivingTuesday!

#GivingTuesday

Happy #GivingTuesday! Today, the world is celebrating the millions of nonprofits and NGOs working tirelessly to create a better future for all. We hope you will take a moment to make a gift to one of our community-based conservation programs that improve people’s livelihoods while conserving the environment.

Trees, Water & People’s unique community-based development model is based on the philosophy that the best way to help those most in need is to involve them directly in the design and implementation of local environmental and economic development initiatives. This creates ownership, involvement, and financial sustainability well into the future. Our proven development model of training and execution, coupled with an enterprise approach, engages and inspires local residents to preserve their precious natural resources.

Celebrate #GivingTuesday by making a contribution today!

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Happy Holidays from Trees, Water & People!

TWP holiday 2014

From everyone at Trees, Water & People: We wish you a healthy and happy holiday season! We are so thankful that you are part of our community of supporters. Our work centers around families and communities that are facing many environmental and social challenges.

With your continued support, our staff and partners will be able to connect local people in Latin America and on tribal lands to the resources and tools needed for important natural resource conservation and economic development projects.

As we make plans for the new year, we hope you will consider donating to our innovative, community-based programs that help people and the planet! 
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Happy #GivingTuesday!

GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is an international celebration of giving back! Give love. Give time. Give money. Just give!

We hope you will consider donating to Trees, Water & People on this day of giving by making a contribution to our programs that help people and the planet. Thanks for your support on this special day of giving!

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Support TWP While You Holiday Shop!

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Doing any of your holiday shopping online? When you order from AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Trees, Water & People. This is an easy way to support our programs, so sign-up today!

Bookmark this link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-1462044 and support us every time you shop!

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Photo of the Week: Volunteer Power!

 

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In 2013, our dedicated volunteer base donated 4,457 hours of their time to making our projects a success! Year after year, we continue to be in awe of the generosity of our volunteers. Thank you to each special person who gave their time to Trees, Water & People in 2013. We hope to see you again in 2014!

If you are interested in volunteering with us please visit our website for upcoming volunteer opportunities or email Kelsey at kelsey@treeswaterpeople.org.

Happy Holidays from Trees, Water & People!

Happy Holidays 2013

During this holiday season, we want you to know that we appreciate your support of our organization! At Trees, Water & People (TWP), we work with communities that are facing very difficult environmental and social challenges. Our staff and partners are connecting local people to important resources and tools for natural resource conservation and economic development.In 2013, generous donors helped fund many projects, including:

  • Building the Sacred Earth Lodge – a one-of-a-kind renewable energy training facility for Native Americans
  • Construction of clean cookstoves in Guatemala to reduce deforestation and indoor air pollution
  • Helping hundreds of rural families in Honduras gain access to solar lighting technologies
  • Training for 300 Haitian farmers in sustainable agriculture and watershed protection
  • Providing healthy, organic produce to Lakota families living on the Pine Ridge Reservation
  • Producing 50,000 trees in our community tree nursery in El Porvenir, El Salvador

As we make plans for 2014, we hope you will consider supporting our innovative, community-based programs that are helping people and the planet!

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Support TWP on Colorado Gives Day!

Colorado Gives Day
On Tuesday, December 10, thousands of people will come together again to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits like Trees, Water & People (TWP)!Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day asks donors to give to their favorite Colorado charity through the website ColoradoGives.org, an online giving resource featuring every nonprofit participating in Colorado Gives Day.

Can you help us reach our goal of $30,000 in 24 hours?!

When you make a donation to TWP on December 10, 2013:

  • 100% of your donation will go to Trees, Water & People (no credit card fees!)
  • The value of your donation will be increased by the FirstBank Incentive Fund
  • TWP will be eligible for $32,000 in prizes for Larimer County nonprofits!

To schedule your donation for December 10, please visit our profile on the Colorado Gives website and click on the “donate now” button. Check the first box to have your donation scheduled for 12/10/2013. It’s that easy!

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