The Community Foundation is happy to report that grants have been distributed to applicants of the Boulder Mountain Fire Relief Fund. The fund’s purpose was to support intermediate needs of local mountain residents, community organizations, and fire departments directly affected by September’s Fourmile Canyon Fire.
Individuals and families (i.e., residing owners, renters, and property owners) received just over $444,000, community organizations were granted $17,000, and fire departments $275,848.
Thank you to everyone who supported the creation, growth, and implementation of the Boulder Mountain Fire Relief Fund. The Community Foundation received almost 1,000 gifts from individuals and companies, including an incredible donation of $355,000 raised by KBCO, AEG Live, and the five bands who played the Fourmile Revival.
The Process
The Foundation worked with mountain residents to put together the Boulder Mountain Fire Relief Fund Advisory Committee. That 9-member group was comprised of representatives from each of the four primary burn areas (Fourmile, Sugarloaf, Sunshine Canyon and Gold Hill), including fire fighters, and one at-large mountain resident. It was staffed by The Community Foundation’s Director of Programs, Elvira Ramos. The committee recommended allocating the funds into thirds: one-third to the affected fire districts, who cooperated to submit one joint proposal; one-third to individuals; and one-third for a combination of needs from individuals and mountain non-profit organizations.
Applications were due to the Foundation on October 25th. We received 200 applications representing $3,651,421 in requests. The Advisory Committee volunteered more than 400 total hours and each member read every single request. Their task was not an easy one.
The stories in the applications were heartbreaking. In the interests of protecting privacy, we can’t mention specifics, but we can share some of the types of requests we received. There were requests for lots of basics – things like rent, food, and medications. People r equested support for therapy and treating PTSD, which is common after such disasters. Others asked for help to replace lost inventory, tools or other items necessary to support themselves. Stories also included how the fire came on top of other ongoing life events – illnesses, major surgeries, and deaths of family members.
Grants were announced on December 1st.
