A mother fleeing domestic violence, with her two children in tow, across five states before finding safety in a Western Slope shelter – where she receives the support needed to rebuild her family’s life.

A man whose world was changed in an instant by an accident resulting in brain injury finds independence and dignity in a supportive living community.

A hungry elementary-school student receives a backpack filled with food to get through the weekend.

A family, facing the heartbreak of losing someone they love, is guided and comforted through the end-of-life journey and the difficult months that follow.

A young pregnant woman diagnosed with a brain tumor secures health insurance and lifesaving care thanks to a helping hand.

A struggling student receives tutoring and graduates.

A veteran, standing on the edge of despair, is pulled back from the brink of suicide.

These are just a few of the countless stories that unfold everyday across the Western Slope, stories of hope, resilience and transformation made possible by nonprofits. For many, the impact of nonprofits remains invisible until the moment help is needed. Yet the presence of these change-makers enriches every community they touch.

Nonprofits exist to serve the public good, whether by supporting fellow humans or protecting our environment. These groups prioritize service over money and are a critical part of the fabric of all the communities across the Western Slope. People who work in these organizations don’t generally go around saying their job is to change the world – they are humble that way – but in fact they have seen something in the world that doesn’t seem right, humane or just and have chosen to spend their career making the world just a little bit better.

Nonprofits are held to rigorous standards of transparency and accountability. They must earn the trust of their donors, clients and volunteers every day by demonstrating real impact, integrity and responsible stewardship of resources. Most nonprofits are governed by local boards of directors, powered by the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers. They embody the very spirit of local control and community-driven change.

As governmental support is withdrawn, nonprofits will continue to do what they have always done: serve as first responders to social emergencies. Their deep knowledge of community, adaptability and willingness to step into the gap are needed now more than ever.

To defend nonprofits is to defend the very idea that we can – and must – care for one another. If you believe in uplifting the vulnerable, protecting our natural resources, and that hope is not just a slogan but a call to action, then stand with nonprofits. Support them. Volunteer. Donate. Advocate.

Supporting nonprofits means nurturing hope, resilience and opportunity across Colorado’s Western Slope.

Michaelle Smith is the executive director of the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation and has dedicated her 40-year career to the nonprofit sector.