BOULDER - Intercambio de Comunidades, a Boulder-based nonprofit, is planning to expand nationally over the next couple of years. The organization focuses on integrating immigrants into the community.

"A lot of people outside the state have expressed interest in the model we have here. There are other English programs, but there isn't an emphasis on cultural exchange, friendship and community integration," said Lee Shainis, executive director.

"We're hoping to expand to two new sites in 2009, but part of that depends on the financial support we get."

Intercambio is looking at areas in Boise, Idaho, North Carolina and California. "We're looking for communities with at least a 10 percent immigrant population, that don't have many language resources, and that also have a source of volunteers," said Shainis.

The new facilities will have to support themselves financially, though they may get a small piece of funding from the Boulder location to get them started. Funding is needed, however, for the expansion. Shainis is looking to raise $280,000 for the expansion plans in 2009, which will go toward hiring two new people to focus on the expansions, travel expenses, and some marketing consulting. Right now, the Boulder location only has the time and resources to focus on the Boulder community.

Intercambio is co-hosting a 5K run/walk with KGNU Radio at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Boulder Foothills Community Park, 800 Cherry Ave., to raise money. Following the benefit, the Entrepreneurs' Foundation of Colorado, based in Boulder, will hold a strategic planning meeting with Intercambio to work out some of the details of the expansion. About 40 members of the Foundation will volunteer their time for the meeting.