Nora has created and supported space for transformation in individuals, organizations, and community. She is thoughtful, fierce, funny, warm, brilliant, kind, and unafraid. As someone relatively new to philanthropy, I am so grateful to Nora for sharing her perspective of the field and her leadership in addressing equity through philanthropy.

Nora is a rare leader with her strategic expertise in developing race and class equity.

I had the pleasure of working with Nora at the Chinook Fund. I was a 6 month cohort member of the Chinook Fund’s amazing Giving Project. I also volunteered with the Chinook Fund’s 30th Anniversary Celebration host committee.

I was always in awe of Nora’s ability to guide a meeting while letting people’s varied ideas and feelings flow naturally, especially with challenging topics such as race and money. She made meetings energetic by providing us with lunch, conducting field trip meetings, and inviting us to co-interview job applicants for positions that directly affected our work.

Nora earns my highest respect as a director and team player.

Nora is a dedicated advocate for social and economic justice. Her leadership of the Chinook Fund established it as a thriving organization with impactful and nimble programming that will allow it to support grassroots leadership in Denver for years to come. Since meeting Nora through the Denver Foundation’s Executive Directors of Color Institute, I am glad to have Nora as a trusted friend and resource in my nonprofit network.

I had the pleasure of working with Nora during her time as Executive Director of the Chinook Fund, where I was a participant in the first cohort of Chinook’s Giving Project. Nora is incredibly passionate about her work, and she is a strong community advocate. Her dedication in bringing the giving project’s social philanthropic model to Chinook highlights her innovation in bridging gaps in our community – by offering participants hands on experience in partnering with Colorado’s grassroots organizations that effect social change. Nora is a dedicated mentor – both compassionate and genuine in stewarding greater understanding around race, class, and diversity. I credit Nora for providing me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of an extraordinary group dedicated to social change, as well as providing a strong foundation in grassroots fundraising and grant making.

Nora taught me a lot about the beauty of selfless giving. She has the right approach, positive attitude and is always there to contribute for change. Truly an inspirational leader during the time I interned at Chinook Fund.

They say you know the true essence of a person through their conduct and how they push forward for others by sharing their struggles, recognizing them, hearing them, supporting them and being there to help breath life and meaning into their challenges.

Nora goes above and beyond for everyone and treats every individual as an extension of her family! I wish her the best in her continued fight for change.

Nora is a visionary leader who brings both a passion for grassroots community organizing and effective organizational management. I served a term in the Chinook Fund’s Grant-making Committee under Nora’s leadership as the Executive Director. I was constantly impressed by her willingness to empower us as a board, as well as her openness to make our recommendations an institutional reality. Our community needs more leaders like Nora!

I really enjoyed working with Nora during my tenure as executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She is committed, energetic, willing to take on new challenges and a great team member. I learned much from her as we worked together to end violence against women.

I strongly recommend Nora as a nonprofit executive. I worked with on a committee through the Chinook Fund where we were looking very closely at how the organization functioned and how we could structure it to function more effectively. I found Nora to be effective in communicating with the committee and accomplishing the tasks we set forth in the process. I have been impressed with Nora’s fortitude and ability to whether many changes and transitions. I have also been impressed with her ability to keep the Chinook Fund on a stable financial footing through many transitions. Nora, as a leader of a small non-profit, is able to handle a wide range of tasks and understands the range of things necessary to run a non-profit.

I’ve had the privilege to witness the tremendous passion and drive Nora has had for grassroots organizations, specifically organizations that advocate social change and justice. This kind of fervor translates within all aspects of her life. It has been refreshing getting to know an individual who is a woman of color in leadership and has truly guided her community with determination and above all, empathy.

Nora is a passionate community representative and also a great leader and understands her local community. Nora has outstanding organizational qualities and motivates her peers and other leaders in improving the lives of many. I stand strongly behind recommending Nora.

I have worked with Nora in the Social Justice sector for a decade. Nora is a no nonsense leader who can bring a cross section of leaders together to collaborate and solve difficult issues. Nore is indefatiguable in her passion to work with others to create new systems, practices and organizational culture that works for everyone. At the end of the day she cares deeply about people and knowing there is a way for everyone to contribute. I would highly recommend her as a coach, strategic planner, problem solver and fundraiser.

To Whom it May Concern, Greetings.
I am thankful for the opportunity to brag about the wonderful leader Nora Bashir. We first met when I joined the 2015 fall Chinook giving cohort and from the beginning I liked her innovative style. She took 20 individuals from all different walks of life and inspired us to develop into champions of change. Nora was a guide through a eloquently articulated six month road of becoming a bonded team of philanthropist. I admire her ability to neutralize and navigate tough group issues. She communicates group goals powerfully and prolifically, creating space for all parties to be heard, respectfully negotiating common ground or understanding in most cases; ultimately building relationships all while supporting the team as we collectively drive towards the goal. I would highly recommend taking the opportunity to work with, employ, or work for Nora if you are ever afforded the opportunity.

Nora has created and supported space for transformation in individuals, organizations, and community. She is thoughtful, fierce, funny, warm, brilliant, kind, and unafraid. As someone relatively new to philanthropy, I am so grateful to Nora for sharing her perspective of the field and her leadership in addressing equity through philanthropy.

Behavior Change Program Manager at Energy Outreach Colorado
December 5, 2019, Amy L. managed Nora directly
Nora is very skilled at seeking out the critical issues that are holding an organization back, and works to strategize solutions that can help an organization realize its mission. Nora has a strong moral vision that guides her work, and is not afraid to share hard truths and hold people accountable when it is necessary. She motivates others in the non-profit world to strive for better results and move past the blockades that had curtailed action. I recommend Nora as someone who can whip an organization into shape and get back to the primary goal of helping make the world better.

Urban Planner, Executive Director & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist
March 4, 2019, Nora worked with Annie in the same group
Nora adeptly facilitated a values-defining session in a short period of time with a group that has a lot of strong opinions. She and her facilitation partner navigated the session with skill and led us to a fruitful outcome. She clearly knows what she’s doing!