Community Foundation support goes deep, wide after Marshall Fire

BOULDER — In the roughly four months since the Marshall Fire tore through the eastern part of Boulder County, taking with it more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures, the Community Foundation of Boulder County, the county’s philanthropic partner for more than three decades, has taken in more than $38 million from about 76,000 donors, enough money to allow the group to provide resources for both a wide swath of the community and more intensive help for those most in need.

That’s an unusual position for a group like the Community Foundation to find itself and a credit to its supporters, foundation CEO Tatiana Hernandez told BizWest. 

“It’s been incredibly unique in the world of philanthropic disaster response that we’ve raised enough to look at both ends of the spectrum to make sure we’re looking at people who need deep support while also looking at a broader picture,” she said. “… Our donors have made it possible for us to both prioritize rebuilding homes and get people back as quickly as possible, while also making sure we tend to the needs of the most vulnerable,” such as food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

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The business community has been both a fountain of support — providing millions of dollars in donations to the foundation — and a recipient of help.

“It was mostly a residential event, but [direct business impacts] were not unknown,” Hernandez said.

In addition to support for the handful of businesses directly impacted by the blaze, the Community Foundation of Boulder County has already allocated $1.5 million in direct payments to workers who have lost wages or equipment used for work as a result of the fire. 

“As part of our livelihood distribution, we did provide a stipend for people who lost tools of their trade, like a plumber or electrician or a teacher,” Hernandez said. “We are being really expansive in what we’re considering tools of the trade so people can access financial support and get back to work, whatever that work might be.” This support also applies to businesses based out of homes that were destroyed or damaged.

From an economic perspective, one of the most important accomplishments will be getting people back in their homes — or getting peoples’ homes rebuilt — as quickly as possible, because the residents of Louisville and Superior represent both a critical talent pool and a consumer base for businesses throughout the region, she said.

“When you look at the bigger picture, the major concern for businesses is loss of client base,” Hernandez said. “By prioritizing people getting back [into their homes and back into the local economy], it creates a gravitation center.”

Bringing home working parents with children is a particularly critical goal, she said. 

“In the truly long term, I worry about families not returning,” which could have a major impact on school funding in the future, Hernandez said, citing estimates that 600 to 800 Boulder Valley School District students could be displaced.

“I think we’ll know by next fall what, if any, impacts [the fire] will have on the district,” she said.

While the support from the community for the foundation has been unprecedented, there’s always more need. 

“If folks want to continue to donate, we’d absolutely love to be able to expand the amount of support we’re giving to our business community, expand things like childcare and summer camps,” she said.

For more information about Marshall Fire disaster assistance, visit www.bouldercounty.org/disasters/wildfires/marshall/marshall-fire-financial-assistance-frequently-asked-questions/.