become a durango localist

Join the Localist movement and support our efforts by giving to the Local First Foundation today!

Community members across the nation, like yourself, are coming together to shape local economies that value people, the planet, and prosperity for everyone. The Local First Foundation builds local self-reliance, a sense of place, and community well-being.

We take a three-pronged approach to our mission:

  • Putting people first through a lens of equity and grassroots advocacy work.

  • Addressing environmental sustainability through green business development, waste reduction, and carbon neutrality.

  • Working together with local businesses and non-profit organizations to shape a resilient, thriving, just, and equitable circular economy for La Plata County.

Give Today to Support Our Work!

Note: We use the Colorado Gives donation portal, which allows your gift to go farther by avoiding credit card processing fees. Your donation to Local First Foundation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Clicking will take you to the Colorado Gives Donation PortalJoin the Localist Community

Localists rock! Your gift is a demonstration of loving our community, standing by your values, and investing in making our unique corner of Colorado the best it can be for everyone.

All Localists receive:

  • Invitations to events and fun volunteer opportunities that celebrate our community’s unique spirit
  • A monthly e-newsletter covering opportunities to get involved, advocacy issues to engage with, and localist news
  • Access to the Localist network via our social media platforms
  • A special Localist member sticker
  • Tax-deductible contribution

At a $50 level or higher also receive:

  • Be Local Coupon Book ($50 level)
  • Localist T-shirt ($100 level)
  • Invitations to exclusive events

Localism works. Here are just a few examples of the impact the Localist movement has had across the nation:

  • Independent coffee shops are opening at 1.5x the rate of Starbucks

  • 250 NEW independent bookstores have opened since 2009
  • 4,700 farmers markets have opened since 2002

  • 112,000 new small farms have started since 2002

  • 7 million people have moved their money from big banks into community banks and credit unions in the past 5 years