Voice of Denver: Why I Gave to Ours to Own

Over the last few years, I have worked to bring my actions and my values into closer alignment. One of the ways I have done this is through impact investing. 

I have often asked my investment advisor if there was something in the metro Denver area, or at least the state of Colorado, where I could invest that aligned with my values. Most of my passions fit under the umbrella of helping to build strong communities, because I believe that healthy communities make happy people. Living in Denver makes me happy, so I do what I can to make it a great city in return by looking for ways to strengthen the Denver community through the investment of my time and also my money. Sadly, my advisor had never been able to recommend any investments in the Denver community that align with my values.

But that all changed a couple of months ago, when I got an email from both my advisor and my friends at The Denver Foundation announcing Ours to Own. I clicked on the link and was thrilled to find out about the new partnership between the Urban Land Conservancy and the Calvert Foundation that allows Denverites to invest in people and projects right here in our own community. Over the last few decades, we have moved so far away from community values of supporting local businesses, buying local goods and services and helping our neighbors to be successful in life. It is my hope that one of the good things that comes from the Great Recession is a return to some of these values that make us feel connected.

I attended the launch of Ours to Own and was excited to learn more about this new project. Not surprisingly, I saw many friends and likeminded people there. I couldn't believe that you could invest as little as $20, since often investment opportunities have a much higher dollar amount to get started. I saw computers set up at the event, so I decided to give it a try. It was so easy! 

I found this new tool tailor-made to engage all types of investors, from people with small amounts to invest to organizations and groups with much deeper dollars. The one thing they all must have in common is an interest in helping people in the Denver community. I invested $25 on the spot and hope to invest more in the future. You can even pick what kind of return you want, over what period of time. I look forward to seeing what types of local groups and organizations benefit from Ours to Own. It's definitely my kind of investment! 

This article appears as part of a spread about impact investing in the current issue of Give Magazine, produced by The Denver Foundation. For more helpful tips about charitable giving, as well as inspirational stories about ways your neighbors and friends give back to the community, find Give Magazine at www.denverfoundation.org.

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