Downtown Boulder Foundation (DBF) launches Employee Assistance Fund and Virtual Run Series Fundraiser
In response to the tremendous loss of income and jobs for individuals employed throughout downtown Boulder businesses due to COVID-19, a fund has been established for donations and pledges through monthly virtual race series.
BOULDER, COLORADO [April 2, 2020] — In early March there were nearly 10,000 employees working in various sectors throughout downtown Boulder. Over the past three weeks with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these workers are now unexpectedly and heartbreakingly unemployed. For those living paycheck to paycheck when times are good, this situation puts them in dire financial and emotional distress. For the most precarious, this could mean evictions, utility shut-offs, missed payments, lack of food and other economic catastrophes.
In response to this crisis, the Downtown Boulder Foundation (DBF) has created the Downtown Boulder Employee Assistance Fund. Monies donated will be used to provide gifts of $500 to downtown employees with the greatest need based on employer nominations.
The 2020 Downtown Boulder Employee Assistance Fund will be financed through a virtual 5K run and direct donations from individuals, companies and organizations on the virtual run fundraising site. DBF has also partnered with other local businesses for other opportunities to raise money for the Fund.
Eligibility stipulations for gifts from the fund:
- Applicants must be nominated by their employer (current or former)
- Individual employees must work/have worked within downtown Boulder (See Map Here)
- Individual employees must be experiencing severe financial distress resulting from significant loss of income from their downtown Boulder employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (i.e. unable to cover basic needs such as food and rent, financial responsibility for family members.)
“Downtown is the heart of Boulder and the many employees who work in our downtown shops and restaurants are what keeps the heart beating everyday.” said Chip, Downtown Boulder’s CEO. “As part of the greater Boulder community and as stewards for the downtown district in particular, this is something that is extremely important to our mission and beliefs. We hope the money that the fund grants will provide at least a small amount of financial and emotional support in this trying time.”
More information about the fund, donation portal, and virtual run sign up can be found at DowntownBoulderEmployeeFund.org. Direct donation link is https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/CO/Boulder/DBEmployeeAssistanceFundRun.
About the Downtown Boulder Foundation:
The Downtown Boulder Foundation (DBF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit created in 2017 to support the civic and cultural strength of Downtown Boulder by funding and facilitating public art, historic preservation projects and community events including free concerts, arts festivals, children’s events and parades. DBF exists to produce and support diverse and impactful experiences to create community engagement.
PR & Media contact:
Terri Takata-Smith
Cell Phone: 303-725-1421
Email: terri@downtownboulder.org
For more information about the Downtown Boulder Employee Assistance Fund:
Cindy Sepucha
Cell Phone: 303-517-9991
Email: cindy@downtownboulder.org
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