Out Here, It Matters
CAHEC serves a large rural and regional footprint. How many counties are in CAHEC's service area?
12 Counties
What is one major healthcare challenge CAHEC's region faces?
Healthcare workforce shortages, behavioral health access, rural provider access, health disparities, aging population needs, substance use education, or limited local health education resources.
Name one CAHEC program that supports future healthcare workers.
Student housing, AHEC scholars, HOPE program, Explore Health Careers, pathway programs, or healthcare career resources.
Why did CAHEC approve two versions of the budget?
Because one version included HRSA funding and one showed what the budget would look like without HRSA funding.
What is the difference between a fundraising app and a fundraising system?
An app is a tool. A system has a clear owner, shared data, donor records, follow-up steps, deadlines, accountability, and board participation.
What is one sign of an engaged board member?
They attend, prepare, ask good questions, follow through, understand the mission, and represent the organization well.
What famous Eastern Colorado tower claimed visitors could see six states from the top?
The World's Wonder View Tower in Genoa
Primary care, dental health, and mental health.
Why does student housing matter as a workforce strategy?
It removes a practical barrier for healthcare students completing rotations in rural or underserved communities.
What did CAHEC learn when it built a more complete program-level budget?
Some important programs cost more to deliver than the funding currently attached to them.
Name one type of outside funding CAHEC could pursue beyond current core funding.
Individual donors, healthcare partners, hospital community benefit dollars, county partnerships, private foundations, civic groups, corporate sponsors, endowment gifts, alumni/former student support, or program sponsors.
what is one fundraising activity board members can do even if they are not comfortable asking for money?
Make introductions, thank donors, identify prospects, invite someone to learn about CAHEC, host a small conversation, share CAHEC’s story, or attend a funder meeting with staff.
What historic carousel is located in Burlington, CO?
The Kit Carson County Carousel
Why does rural healthcare workforce development often need to start before college?
Because students may not see healthcare careers as accessible unless they are exposed early, supported locally, and connected to real pathways.
Name one CAHEC program or activity that supports current healthcare professionals or community health?
Regional Health Connectors, Nurse Educators Conference, Nurse Well-Being Conference, dementia training, opioid overdose awareness, CPR/First Aid, Mini-Med School, or community health resources.
Why does it matter that HRSA-mandated programs are operating in a deficit?
Because CAHEC is required to deliver certain work, but the funding does not fully cover the actual cost of delivering that work well.
What are three things that should live in one centralized development system?
Donor/prospect names, contact history, gift history, grant deadlines, next steps, board connections, pledges, sponsorship asks, thank-you notes, and reporting requirements.
What is the board's role when a major funding source is uncertain?
Understand the risk, monitor cash and budget assumptions, help prioritize mission-critical work, support contingency planning, and help open doors to funding.
What large grassland in Weld County includes Pawnee Buttes and covers more than 190,000 acres?
Pawnee National Grassland
What is one community health education need CAHEC may be well-positioned to help address?
Mental health education, opioid overdose prevention, dementia/caregiver education, telehealth literacy, CPR/First Aid, chronic disease education, or resource navigation.
Which CAHEC programs are most directly tied to workforce pipeline, and which are more tied to community health education?
Workforce pipeline includes student housing, AHEC Scholars, HOPE, Explore Health Careers, and pathway programs. Community health education includes opioid awareness, mental health education, dementia training, CPR/First Aid, and health resources.
What did CAHEC learn about the Regional Health Connector work?
The expenses exceed the funding received, meaning CAHEC is subsidizing the work or needs additional funding support.
Why is "more applications" not the same as a development strategy?
What should every board member be able to explain about CAHEC?
What CAHEC does, why it matters, what region it serves, what the funding challenge is, and how outside support could make a difference.
Why does geography matter for CAHEC's strategy?
Because distance, transportation, local identity, school partnerships, provider access, and community trust all shape how CAHEC delivers programs and builds partnerships.
What is the strategic difference between "offering a program" and "meeting a regional need"?
Offering a program is activity. Meeting a need means the program is targeted, relevant, accessible, funded, measured, and connected to a larger strategy.
If CAHEC had to explain its program strategy to a new funder in one sentence, what should it say?
CAHEC strengthens rural health by connecting students, professionals, and communities with education, resources, and pathways that improve health access across Northeastern Colorado.
What is the opportunity hidden in these numbers?
CAHEC now has a clearer, data-backed case for support. The budget can be used for advocacy, funder conversations, partnership development, and strategic decision-making.
It shows the real cost of mission-critical work and gives funders a specific, evidence-based reason to invest in program gaps, matching funds, bridge support, or long-term sustainability.
If CAHEC is becoming a fundraising organization, what has to change at the board level?
The board needs shared ownership of revenue, a culture of giving and introductions, regular fundraising discussion, clear expectations, and accountability for helping connect CAHEC to people and institutions outside the current funding base.