Boulder County, Colo. - The 2020 Fires Relief Fund has been established at Community Foundation Boulder County in partnership with Boulder County with initial gifts totaling $75,000. An anonymous donor has provided $50,000 and an additional $10,000 has been committed by Mile High United Way. Community Foundation Boulder County has also committed $15,000 to help seed the fund.

Donations will benefit those impacted by the Cal-Wood Fire and the Lefthand Canyon Fire, which ignited on October 17 and October 18, respectively, along with any additional fires which may occur in Boulder County this year.

“This year has been relentlessly challenging. It is critical we coordinate our efforts to support our neighbors through this added crisis in Boulder County. Partnering with the county and others, we hope will help ease the burden on individuals, families, and organizations,” said Tatiana Hernandez, CEO of Community Foundation Boulder County.

Tax-deductible donations can be made any of the following ways:

• Online: https://www.commfound.org/2020firesfund
• Mail checks made out to “Community Foundation Boulder County” with “2020 Fires Relief Fund” in the memo to Community Foundation Boulder County, 1123 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO, 80302.
• To make gifts of stock or inquire about other options, please contact Lynda Ricketson, Vice President of Philanthropic Services, at 720-667-3557

Grants from the fund will be made to nonprofit organizations and municipal and county entities to support immediate relief needs and longer-term recovery needs for individuals and organizations. Boulder County staff will work with individuals to identify needs and deploy financial help.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such a caring community come together, especially in times of disaster. We’re pleased to partner with the Community Foundation to provide this emergency relief opportunity for anyone who can to lend a hand to our neighbors in need. We know how generous our Boulder County community can be and we cannot thank our residents enough for all you do,” said Matt Jones, Boulder County Commissioner.

Additionally, the 2020 Fires Fund will make grants directly to nonprofit organizations that are affected by the fires or are providing additional services to the community because of the fires. An advisory committee to Community Foundation Boulder County will advise decision making. “Mile High United Way is proud to stand with Community Foundation Boulder County in supporting the Fires of 2020 Fund with an investment of $10,000,” said Christine Benero, President and CEO of Mile High United Way.

If funds raised exceed needs, the excess will be placed in Community Foundation Boulder County’s COVID-19 Response Fund.

Individuals interested in volunteering or donating goods or services should visit: https://bouldercounty.wufoo.com/forms/donations/

For more information about either the 2020 Fires Relief Fund or the COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County, please contact Gretchen Minekime, 720.565.3909 or visit commfound.org.

For more information about the ongoing fires and most up-to-date information, please visit Boulder County Office of Emergency Management’s website at www.boulderoem.com.