It has been 78 days since the Marshall Fire changed our community forever. In that time, your community foundation has responded by capturing the philanthropic support our community will need to weather the immediate, short- and long-term effects of Colorado’s most devastating wildfire in history. Simultaneously, in the first month and a half, we deployed over $8 million to ensure financial assistance, insurance navigation, and mental health support is available for our community.
Our staff and board have been working with the Wildfire Fund’s Advisory Committee as well as Boulder County staff, community groups of victims of the fire, and our partner non-profits to ensure the Wildfire Fund is used for charitable purposes and made available to our community through comprehensive disaster support systems. The reality is, as is the case with nearly all communities throughout the country, our community does not have a comprehensive disaster support infrastructure. This critical infrastructure is necessary for us to distribute these funds.Our purpose is to fill gaps that are beyond the capacity of the community, and we continue to work with our amazing local partners to find innovative, simple, centralized, and human-centered disaster support solutions to meet the needs of our community in its recovery.
If you have an immediate need (housing, food, transportation, financial assistance) please do not hesitate to reach out to our local family resource center, Sister Carmen. In addition, financial assistance is still available through our partnership with the county until March 31 for:
- Renters or Homeowners displaced due to smoke or ash contamination
- Anyone with a home that was destroyed or damaged
- Anyone who was forced to evacuate
- Those who lost the ability to work (including home businesses) due to the fire
- Residents who lost “tools of the trade” to the fire (excluding computers or computer equipment)
- Anyone with a small local business that was destroyed or damaged (including home businesses)
We encourage anyone struggling with the stress and grief of this unimaginable tragedy to please make use of the mental health supports available through Boulder Jewish Family Service’s Boulder County Crisis Counseling program, a partnership between our two organizations. Individual, couples, family, and group sessions are available to you.
Those directly affected know all too well that rebuilding will take time, resources, patience, and strength. Our work is centered on their needs, with an understanding that they and our tens of thousands of generous donors are looking for us to distribute the funds carefully, strategically, and equitably. We are working tirelessly with our community partners to meet these challenges and will share more information by the end of the month regarding future allocations and distributions.
As always, we appreciate your care and generosity for our community. We share that care and will continue to demonstrate it through our work.
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To date, the Community Foundation has disbursed over $8.1 million, or 23%, from over $36 million raised by the Wildfire Fund, an unprecedented achievement by any community foundation in the aftermath of a disaster. All grants from the Wildfire Fund are considered by the careful guidance of our advisory committee and the recognition of the immediate, short- and long-term needs of our community. A breakdown of the Wildfire Fund’s grants as of today:
- $5.5 million in direct financial assistance to households that were damaged or destroyed (both renters and homeowners; citizens and undocumented)
- $1.5 million in direct financial assistance to workers that lost wages or livelihood equipment (excluding computers)
- $150,000 to United Policyholders for insurance policy navigation
- $265,000 to Impact on Education to ensure adequate mental health advocates at the most fire-affected schools in the Boulder Valley School District
- $250,000 to Boulder Jewish Family Services to provide crisis counseling to anyone who needs it in individual and group settings, with trauma-informed practices
- $500,000 in direct assistance to those mobile or manufactured homes with confirmed wind damage within the wildfire and straight-line winds major disaster declaration approved in Boulder County (DR4634)
I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED DIRECTLY BY THE MARSHALL FIRE; HOW CAN I GET MORE HELP?
Recently the direct assistance was expanded to renters as well as those with smoke and ash damage. Applications are still being accepted online. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions about the financial assistance that is currently available, including more information about how to apply and eligibility. All impacted community members are welcome regardless of documentation status.
In addition to financial assistance for renters or homeowners displaced due to smoke or ash contamination, help also remains available for the following related to the Marshall Fire:
- Anyone with a home that was destroyed or damaged
- Anyone who was forced to evacuate
- Those who lost the ability to work (including home businesses) due to the fire
- Residents who lost “tools of the trade” to the fire (excluding computers or computer equipment)
- Anyone with a small local business that was destroyed or damaged (including home businesses)
Boulder Office of Emergency Management:
The Boulder County Public Call Center
Please reach out to the Boulder County Public Call Center (303) 413-7730 if you were impacted by the fire and need information.
Disability & Disaster Hotline:
If you would like to donate goods and services to directly assist impacted Marshall Fire residents, a new site has been set up: https://dart-co.communityos.org/
The Marshall Fire Donation and resource center is also still open:
(Former Nordstrom department store at FlatIron Crossing Mall)
Hours of operation are 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Bulk Donations
Bulk items arriving via truck must be scheduled in advance by calling (720)448-3211.
Volunteers
