Imagine a small wheel spinning in front of you with a red dot on its rim. This dot represents all nonprofits in Teller County. Now, imagine stopping the wheel and adding a white dot to represent all businesses in Teller County. The addition of this new dot makes the wheel grow larger, which also makes it spin faster. The blur of red and white is now pink as the wheel turns.

Let’s work together one more time and add a blue dot, which represents the people of Teller County. This final group makes the wheel as big as it can be and it spins faster than it ever has. Now, the blur of color is a beautiful shade of purple and we can paint Pikes Peak.

The average speed of a circle is directly proportionate to its size. A circle, which increases by a factor of two will also increase in speed by a factor of two. The scenario in the first paragraph expanded by a factor of three: nonprofits, businesses, and people. A larger wheel rotates faster.

You may have heard about a Giving Circle in the new era of philanthropy. It is when people are part of a group, which gives together financially to make social change happen. The larger the circle the more resources the group has to work with. I’m forming a Giving Circle for the sake of Teller County with an intent to leverage creativity and market our area as a destination for art. We have amazing talent and I’m speaking about all art forms. You can go to an awesome art exhibit, play, musical, or concert any day of the week. Would you be part of a Giving Circle for an opportunity to promote and enhance this? Giving Circles support with dollars, but they can also build awareness and provide in-kind services.

This project, Destination Art, is not a tourism initiative nor a bridge to connect us to surrounding counties through art projects. It is about developing our county’s identity as an art destination. We are known for outdoor activities, casinos, and festivals. Imagine how our color wheels spin when we combine a hike with painting outside. The same is true when we market art displays in casinos, banks, galleries and coffee shops. Learn more about the Giving Circle for Destination Art by calling 719-401-2301 or emailing destinationart24@gmail.com. The wheel is a circle and this opportunity to add a dot of color to the rim is beneficial for all. You are invited to take the wheel, be part of the Giving Circle, and help to steer this initiative home. It is a way to be involved without jumping into the driver’s seat by yourself.

Contact Gayle Gross at iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org or 719-233-9902 if you want your nonprofit to be part of this column or to be part of the Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County. Gayle Gross has worked with nonprofits in the community since 1998. Now, she facilitates SOAR’s Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. – 10:45. The group meets at Reserve Our Gallery or at a nonprofit’s location. Join the group on March 12 at the gallery.