CHAFFEE COUNTY, CO (February 25, 2026) – The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) announces its 2026 Community Summit, offering Chaffee County nonprofits training in skills building, professional development, leadership growth, and collaboration opportunities through the day-long program.
The 2026 Community Summit will take place Tuesday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 29 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Programming begins at 8:30 a.m. each day, concluding at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Reserve your tickets at www.chaffeecommunity.org/summit.
“The Community Summit is a cornerstone investment in the strength, resilience, and interconnectedness of our local nonprofit sector,” said Betsy Dittenber, Executive Director of the Chaffee County Community Foundation. “By supporting the people who are on the ground serving our community every day, we strengthen the organizations — and ultimately the entire community they serve.”
The 2026 Summit features:
Executive Director Boot Camp
A 9.5-hour intensive offered over two days and limited to 10 participants, this program covers the nuts and bolts of nonprofit leadership — from legal considerations to managing the many moving pieces of the Executive Director role.
Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. & Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Participants must commit to attending both full days.)
Board of Directors Training
Back by popular demand, this 2.5-hour session invites board members to attend together for a deeper understanding of their governance role and how to engage more effectively in board leadership. Multiple members of board are encouraged to attend together to assess their board’s effectiveness and create an action plan for success.
Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
NEW: Business Giving Connection Happy Hour
Co-hosted by the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation and the Central Mountain Small Business Development Center, this engaging panel will feature local businesses that have integrated philanthropy into their business models. The session creates space for business owners to connect with nonprofit causes aligned with their company values.
Tuesday, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
NEW: Community Restorative Practices Training
Create a Highly Functioning Organization by Building a Collective Restorative Mindset — This five-hour training helps organizations transform tension into trust by cultivating shared accountability, belonging, and collaborative problem-solving.
Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Participants must attend the full session.)
NEW: We Are Chaffee’s Leaders
Organized by Chaffee County, this session launches a year-long opportunity for leaders to connect and plan for coordinated response during times of community-wide need. Special registration required.
Wednesday, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Six Additional Workshops
Additional sessions will cover topics including fundraising and development, board management, organizational health, grant resources, and more — offering practical tools for nonprofits of all sizes.
Built-In Networking Opportunities
Structured and informal networking sessions are woven throughout both days, creating intentional space for leaders to build relationships, share ideas, and strengthen collaboration across the county.
Thanks to the generosity of Summit sponsors — and in recognition of the changing funding landscape facing many nonprofits — scholarship options are available through a self-selected discount model. Participants may choose the option that best fits their professional development budget when registering.
The standard registration fee is $40. Those needing financial assistance may use one of the following promo codes at checkout:
- HALF – 50% discount
- FULL – 100% discount
The Summit is not possible without the thoughtful support of our sponsors. Thank you for investing in the leadership and capacity of our entire community: Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Collegiate Peaks Bank, Freeport McMoRan Foundation, High Country Bank, Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, TBK Bank and Xcel Energy.
About CCCF
Founded in 2018, Chaffee County Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization established to promote and facilitate philanthropy in Chaffee County, created by and for the people in that area. CCCF acts as a catalyst to inspire positive change through the power of philanthropy to enrich the lives of all people within the county. Its goals are to make informed philanthropy accessible to all, build local nonprofit capacity, and enable community conversations. Since 2018, CCCF has actively supported nonprofit organizations for the betterment of Chaffee County and the local communities. To learn more, visit www.chaffeecommunity.org.
