Calling all Colorado
climate-aligned nonprofits
Are you seeking to 10x your impact and donor base?
Transform your supporters into grassroots funders.
The 10-week incubator guides
nonprofit leaders through the design, launch & execution of a public
crowdfunding campaign.
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply?
Colorado-based 501(c)3 nonprofits with a climate-aligned mission are invited to apply. Whether you’re a small team or a larger organization, this incubator is for you. Questions? Reach out or schedule a Discovery Call.
When is the next cohort?
The first cohort launches July 2025. Applications are now open for the second cohort (Winter 2025). Any Colorado-based 501(c)3 nonprofit with a climate-aligned mission is welcome to apply. We are seeking organizations who are ready to scale their impact.
Do you help with corporate sponsorships or major donors?
The incubator focuses on grassroots fundraising, but you’ll also learn to build outreach strategies for a range of donors. Our exercises help you see prospective donors in new ways and expand your network.
How much can we expect to raise?
Every organization is different, but we recommend nonprofits set goals ranging anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000+ in their first campaign, depending on network size, outreach effort, and campaign design.
What happens after the campaign ends?
Phase 3 focuses on integrating your new donors, momentum, and visibility into your operations so your impact continues to grow. This gives us time to incorporate new changes to your organization and team in a way that works for you.
What does it cost to participate in the the incubator?
There are no upfront fees to join the incubator. Instead, we partner with you and earn a 30% commission on the funds raised during your first campaign—aligning our success with yours and minimizing your financial risk.
For future campaigns, we offer lower commission rates and optional hourly consulting support as you build your internal capacity.
Nonprofits are responsible for covering any platform fees (we recommend MightyCause or ColoradoGives, which typically charge about 2% of donations).
What if we don’t raise any money?
You won’t owe a thing up front—this model is 100% success-based. We select organizations with strong potential to scale and engage their communities. Not all applicants will be accepted, but free resources will be made available to everyone.
Who is organizing this?
This incubator was created by Alexis Rhyner, a climate fundraising strategist with 12+ years of global nonprofit experience and an MBA in Corporate Sustainability & GHG Management. Her mission: help Colorado climate nonprofits 10x their revenue, resilience, and impact.
Do we need prior fundraising experience?
No fundraising experience required—new fundraisers often see the greatest growth. You'll learn the skills, tools, and confidence to build and launch a campaign, so you can run your next one independently, without a consultant.
What kind of fundraising campaigns do you help build?
We focus on grassroots crowdfunding—activating your networks, greatest ambassadors, and peer fundraisers. While the priority is raising funds now, Phase 3 helps you integrate new donors & revenue streams into your operations.
Can I participate by myself, even if my board is not “on board”?
Yes! We recommend 1–2 people from your organization participate, even if your board isn’t fully on board yet. We’ll provide templates and coaching to help engage your leadership and build buy-in over time.
What is the time commitment for the incubator?
The incubator is a year-long partnership broken into three phases:
Phase 1: The Incubator (10 weeks)
A guided practical learning experience with weekly live sessions and 1–2 hours of independent work each week to build your fundraising campaign.Phase 2: The Campaign (3–8+ weeks)This is your launch phase—where you’ll put your plan into action. Expect to spend around 2–3 hours per week on outreach and donor meetings as your campaign runs.
Phase 3: Growth & Integration (ongoing)
After your campaign wraps, we’ll help you integrate your new donors, partnerships, and momentum into your day-to-day operations—so your impact keeps growing long after the campaign ends.
“Alexis has been instrumental in helping us understand our unrealized potential to raise funds and engage with our supporters.”