It has been two months since the Marshall Fire roared through Boulder County, and many of our friends and neighbors have a clear sense about the scope and scale of the challenging recovery they face.
In the immediate aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy tens of thousands of people, made sure these individuals and families knew they weren’t alone by pouring their love and support into relief efforts through the Boulder County Wildfire Fund. Each of these tens of thousands of acts of kindness come with a story that is every bit as uplifting as the fires were destructive. From last night’s amazing benefit concert organized in collaboration with Governor Polis and legendary promotors AEG that included some of the world’s most accomplished performers, to a fundraiser organized by 5th graders at Aspen Community School, a bake sale organized by 3rd graders at Nederland Elementary, and parishioners from the First Baptist Church of Longmont who pooled their money for those whose lives were upended by the Marshall Fire, these stories remind us of the humbling position we are in as Boulder County’s trusted philanthropic partner.
Each letter we have opened, each concerned individual we have interacted with, and each meeting we have attended or convened over the last two months has strengthened our resolve to work tirelessly for the long haul. Determined public officials, organizers, artists, schoolchildren, parishioners, concerned citizens, small-businesses, corporations, restaurants, foundations, artists, yoga studios, and others have made it possible for us to steward an unprecedented response, quickly distributing millions of dollars in direct financial assistance, support in navigating the frustrating insurance process, and crucial mental health resources for our community.
To those who lost everything or had their homes damaged, these services and the amount of assistance distributed seems relatively miniscule. It will take hundreds of millions of dollars in costs and services to rebuild – an amount far beyond the capacity of what our local governments and nonprofits have ever been asked to provide. No matter how many amazing 3rd graders there are in Nederland or generous benefit concerts are organized, the Wildfire Fund will need to be used to fill gaps and leverage collaboration between our government and nonprofit partners to best honor our donor intent to the Wildfire Fund.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster declaration, the IRS has a different standard for making grants to individuals. But as we transition into the long-term recovery phase of this massive effort, your Community Foundation has less leeway in how we make grants. Moreover, our community lacks the infrastructure to manage the caseload of giving to individuals. Our recent focus at the Foundation has been to work with our government and community partners to find a solution which honors the donor intent of over 73,000 donors to the Wildfire Fund and also allows us to continue distributing these funds to those who need it most.
Between the trauma our friends and neighbors have endured and heartwarming support from around the globe, this has truly been a period of extreme highs and lows for Boulder County. As we transition from the immediate aftermath to long-term recovery, there is a long road ahead for Boulder County, not just those who had their homes damaged or destroyed. But as we’ve been for thirty years and six disasters previous, Community Foundation Boulder County will be here for the duration.
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To date, the Community Foundation has distributed over $8 million, or 25%, from over $33 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
