What if your tax refund could help change a young person’s life?
In Colorado, it can.
When you file your state taxes, you have the option to donate all or part of your refund directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (BBBSC). Your donation helps connect young people with mentors who support their growth, confidence, and future. It’s one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to give back, and it takes less than two minutes when you’re already filing.
No extra forms. No separate transactions. Just a decision to turn an everyday financial moment into something that matters.
How Colorado’s Tax Refund Donation Program Works
Colorado makes it easy to support nonprofits through your state tax return. You can donate to a qualified organization with your Colorado income tax return by entering their ID on the Voluntary Contributions Schedule (DR 0104CH). Colorado Department of Revenue
When you file, you can choose to:
- Donate a small portion of your refund
- Give a specific dollar amount
- Direct your entire refund to a nonprofit you care about
Your donation goes directly from the state to the organization you select. There’s no middleman and no delay.
Step-by-Step: How to Donate Your Refund to BBBSC
Donating takes just a few minutes when you file your Colorado taxes:
Step 1: File your Colorado state tax return. Use your preferred tax software, tax preparer, or paper forms.
Step 2: Locate the Voluntary Contributions Schedule. Look for Form DR 0104CH. Most tax software includes this as an optional step near the end of your return.
Step 3: Enter BBBSC’s information.
- Organization Name: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
- Registration Number: 20023005281
Step 4: Choose your donation amount. You can give any amount up to your total refund.
Step 5: Submit your return. The Colorado Department of Revenue will send your donation directly to BBBSC.
For detailed instructions on locating qualified organizations, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue’s charity lookup tool.
Why Give Your Refund to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado?
Your tax refund is money you receive back. By donating a portion of it, you transform a routine financial transaction into an investment in Colorado’s young people.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, we believe every young person deserves someone in their corner. Through one-to-one mentoring, we help youth build confidence, stay engaged in school, and develop a vision for their future.
Research shows the impact is significant. A 30-year longitudinal study of Big Brothers Big Sisters found that mentored youth experienced a 15% increase in earnings between ages 20 and 25, were more likely to enroll in college, and had lower rates of substance use initiation than peers without mentors.
Your donation helps make these outcomes possible for young people across Colorado.
What Your Donation Makes Possible
Every gift supports the work of matching young people with caring adult mentors and sustaining those relationships over time.
- $25 supports match activities and resources
- $50 strengthens the relationship between a mentor and a young person
- $100+ helps sustain a mentoring match throughout the year
Even a modest contribution creates a meaningful impact when combined with gifts from others who share your commitment to Colorado’s youth.
Important: Tax Refund Donations Are Anonymous
Because tax records are confidential, BBBSC does not receive donor contact information when you contribute through your refund. This means we can’t send you a thank-you letter unless you let us know you’ve donated.
If you’d like acknowledgment of your gift or would like to learn more about the impact of your donation, reach out to us directly after filing. We’d love to thank you personally.
Double Your Impact: Combine With the Child Care Contribution Credit
If you’re making a larger gift and want to maximize your tax benefit, donations of $250 or more to BBBSC may qualify for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit. Taxpayers who make a qualifying monetary contribution to promote child care in Colorado may claim an income tax credit equal to 50% of the total qualifying contribution, subject to certain limitations. Source: Colorado Department of Revenue
This credit directly reduces your tax bill, dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 per year. If you’d like to claim this credit for your donation, contact us to request a credit certificate (Form DR 1317).
For most refund donations, the simplest approach is to use the Voluntary Contributions Schedule. But if you’re planning a larger year-end gift, the Child Care Contribution Credit offers significant additional tax benefits.
Make Your Refund Count This Year
You’re already filing your taxes. This year, consider doing something different with your refund.
Instead of keeping the entire amount, invest a portion in a young person’s future. Invest in mentorship. Invest in opportunity. Invest in Colorado.
When you file your Colorado taxes:
- Look for Form DR 0104CH (Voluntary Contributions Schedule)
- Enter Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
- Use Registration Number 20023005281
- Choose your donation amount
That’s it. A few minutes of your time. A lifetime of impact for a young person who needs someone in their corner.
Other Ways to Support BBBSC
If you’ve already filed your taxes or prefer to give directly, you can donate online anytime. You can also explore becoming a Big to make a direct difference in a young person’s life through mentorship.
For questions about tax-advantaged giving, including the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit, contact our team.
Related: Donate | Become a Big | Our Programs | Stories & Impact
