THE CENTER ON COLFAX
STRATEGIC PLAN 2020-2023
The Board of Directors of The Center on Colfax adopted a new strategic plan on March 16, 2021. This plan was produced with input by The Center’s Board, staff and by nine focus groups representing the voices of youth, older adults, transgender individuals, community members with disabilities, Black and African American community members, Latinx and Spanish-speaking community members, same-gender loving women, men and bisexual individuals.
Through this process, The Center clarified its mission, vision and values and identified six strategic goals. The Board and staff of The Center commits to keeping our community informed and involved as we enact this plan over the coming years.
MISSION
The mission of The Center on Colfax is to engage, empower, enrich and advance the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado.
VISION
The Center on Colfax will be a collaborative leader that positively impacts the lived experience of LGBTQ+ people in Denver and Colorado by creating inclusive programs and events, fostering connections, and leveraging the individual and collective strengths of the community.
VALUES
We acknowledge with respect that The Center on Colfax stands on the unceded traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pueblo and Shoshone Nations. Further, we acknowledge the 48 contemporary tribal nations historically tied to the lands that comprise what is now called Colorado. We recognize Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of this land and honor their sacrifices and hardships. We recognize that colonialism continues to affect modern Indigenous people.
Learn more at https://native-land.ca/
• COMMUNITY FOCUSED
The Center on Colfax strives to serve the needs of all LGBTQ+ people and give our community a voice. We believe that we can learn from and empower each other and seek to create programs and events that help build connections.
• INTERSECTIONAL
The Center on Colfax recognizes that individuals have multiple identities, beliefs, and experiences, and that these often intersect to increase one’s likelihood of being marginalized. We stand with all people of marginalized identities and work for a more equitable community for everyone.
• COLLABORATIVE
The Center on Colfax encourages collaboration, internally and externally, to better engage, enrich, empower and advance the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado. We are stronger together.
• WELCOMING & INCLUSIVE
The Center on Colfax is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We celebrate diversity and recognize everyone comes from different perspectives and experiences.
We will prioritize LGBTQ+ constituencies and age groups that need additional resources and support, from youth to older adults, as well as QTBIPOC and bisexual communities.
• EMPOWERING
The Center on Colfax encourages all individuals in expressing their unique voices and authentic selves to create positive change and safer spaces in our communities.
• COURAGEOUS & HONEST
The Center on Colfax, founded on the idea that every individual has the right to be their authentic self, honors those who are true to themselves. We commit to transparency in our operations and strive to provide spaces where all LGBTQ+ Coloradans feel empowered.
THE CENTER ON COLFAX STRATEGIC GOALS
- Collaborative, Community-Minded Organizational Culture
The Center on Colfax will improve communication and collaboration internally and externally, to build relationships, demonstrate transparency and continue to effectively serve LGBTQ+ people in Denver and Colorado.
Our Board and staff commit to achieving deeper engagement with our community. The Center will create an Advisory Board and Community Action Committees to represent the diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community, identify community needs, and drive inclusive programming. The Center will work to build relationships and partnerships with other community groups and organizations to mutually serve our constituencies and use our strengths to help strengthen Denver’s community as a whole.
- Inclusive, Innovative Programs & Events
The Center on Colfax will focus on inclusion and innovation to enhance its programs, annual Denver PrideFest celebration, and other events in order to support all LGBTQ+ community members and provide opportunities to build connections.
Through evaluation of our existing programs, The Center will identify gaps and additional needs or opportunities to expand our services. We will prioritize LGBTQ+ constituencies and age groups that need additional resources and support, including young adults ages 18-26, adults ages 21-50, QTBIPOC individuals, and bisexual individuals. We will enhance our programming and website content to reach historically marginalized people, develop Spanish-language programming and content, develop additional virtual programming to engage people with disabilities, and ensure accessibility and services such as ASL interpretation at programs and events. Through all these efforts we will continue to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and history.
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Focus
The Center on Colfax will be a leader and role model for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) efforts internally and externally, in order to support and empower all LGBTQ+ people.
The Center will develop an equity lens for internal processes, staff and Board member recruitment, and marketing. We will continue to pursue diverse candidates in staff and Board recruitment efforts and build relationships with QTBIPOC communities to incorporate a non-white perspective in leadership and decision making, as well as provide youth with opportunities for leadership. We will develop IDEA learning opportunities for Board, staff, and volunteers to address issues of white and cisgender supremacy. We will engage in dialogue about white fragility and embrace feedback from communities of color. We will invest in events for QTBIPOC communities and collaborations with other organizations to expand our reach.
- LGBTQ+ Wellness Resource
The Center on Colfax will serve as a premier resource for the health and wellness of the LGBTQ+ community, taking a holistic approach to provide education, training and expert referrals for all LGBTQ+ community members.
The Center will develop health and wellness education initiatives. We will develop and provide referrals to resources such as physical and mental health providers, social groups, and legal referrals. The Center will develop programs to educate the community about the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
- Audience Engagement, Marketing & Branding
The Center on Colfax will grow its reach, enhance its brand, and increase audience engagement via targeted marketing efforts and an innovative digital content strategy.
The Center srtives to become the premier source of information about the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado. Through our website, social media channels, resource lists, and community calendar, we will build community and celebrate the diverse voices of LGBTQ+ people as well as engage our community with The Center’s programs and services.
- Stability & Growth in Funding and Staff Resources
The Center on Colfax will sustain and grow the necessary financial and staff resources to be a forward-thinking organization that successfully promotes and implements programs and events which align with the mission and core values.
The Center will continue to engage individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners to support our work. We will produce engaging fundraising and social events. RANGE Consulting will expand our consulting and training initiatives in alignment with our mission, vision and values. We will enhance our program evaluation processes and invest in a culture of leadership development for our staff. We will expand volunteer opportunities. The Center will invest in the necessary infrastructure to ensure Denver PrideFest continues to grow and thrive as one of the nation’s top pride celebrations.