CAR Foundation Mobilizes to Help Boulder County Fire Victims

The CAR Foundation’s Boulder County Fire Relief Fund has raised more than $200,000 through the generous support of Colorado REALTORS® and industry partners such as REcolorado.

The CAR Foundation, the philanthropic and community engagement arm of the Colorado Association of REALTORS®, has had a busy start to 2022. The Foundation ramped up to support victims of the Boulder County Wildfires, which roared through the towns of Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County on December 30, 2021. Fueled by hurricane-force winds, the fires destroyed or damaged more than 1,100 structures, nearly 1,000 of which were homes. “Colorado REALTORS® are at the heart of our communities, having been helping our neighbors through the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation for 30 years, and providing housing-related disaster relief is one of our most impactful missions.” said 2022 CAR Foundation Chair Katia Leon y Leon. “In partnership with REALTORS® around the nation through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, we are honored to offer assistance to individuals and families who have lost their home or have been displaced from their home due to the Boulder County Fires,” she said.

One of many homes destroyed in the Marshall Fire.

Grants for Nonprofits in the Boulder Community

The Foundation’s Boulder County Fire Relief Fund began raising funds to support victims with grants to nonprofits providing direct services. Through the generous support of Colorado REALTORS® and industry partners such as REcolorado, which provided a $25,000 matching gift incentive, the Fire Relief Fund has raised more than $200,000. Applications are now open for nonprofit organizations to apply for grants, which will be evaluated and funded each week until the Fund has been fully disbursed.

Mortgage and Rental Aid for Individual Households

To help individuals and families directly, the CAR Foundation was awarded a $2 million grant from the REALTORS® Relief Foundation to provide mortgage and rental relief. Founded as a REALTOR® response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation’s mission is to provide housing related disaster relief. Those who were affected by the fire can apply for up to $3,000 for mortgage or rental assistance. More than 466 applications have been received and aid

2021 NAR Good Neighbor Award Winner: Bob Bell, Denver

2021 Colorado Heart Award Winner: Matt Robbins, Gunnison 2022 CAR Foundation Chair Katia Leon y Leon

has been approved and sent to 238 households so far, totaling more than $563,831. Victims can apply here. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified applicants through April 8, 2022, or until the grant is depleted, whichever occurs first.

Funding for the Future – You Make an Impact

While Boulder County Fire Relief efforts will be ongoing, efforts surrounding the CAR Foundation’s mission will continue. More than $100,000 in grants went to qualified nonprofits after raising more than $100,000 at the CAR 100 Year Celebration.

“We knew that many, many Colorado communities were still impacted by the pandemic and that nonprofit organizations around the state were continuing to see record-breaking need for their services,” said Amy McDermott, Foundation Executive Director. “Our 2021 grants were a direct result of fundraising support from REALTORS® and are helping programs that offer services such as homelessness prevention coaching, supportive housing for families experiencing homelessness, and development of affordable housing, just to name a few.”

The CAR Foundation will continue its successful program, Colorado’s Heart Award, launched in 2021, and take applications from REALTORS® who give back to their communities by volunteering, donating, or holding leadership positions in local nonprofits. Matt Robbins, REALTOR® from Gunnison, was honored as the inaugural Colorado’s Heart Award winner in 2021. Read about Robbins and the district finalists here.

Welcome 2022 CAR Foundation Chair Katia Leon y Leon

With more than 14 years of experience in leadership positions in government agencies, multinational corporations, and consulting, as well as degrees in Corporate Communication and Marketing, Katia Leon y Leon brings a high-visibility approach to her role as Foundation Chair. “In 2022, I envision the CAR Foundation supporting even more Colorado communities around the state. For us to do that, I believe we need to connect more deeply with local associations, learning about what really matters to each community," said Leon y Leon. “By forging close relationships with local boards, we can better learn about their needs and provide support for local efforts.” Leon y Leon has served on the Foundation Board since 2020. She has lived in Douglas County since 2007, and was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She has decades of customer service experience, which, combined with her training and marketing background, has built a successful knowledge base for her business as a REALTOR®.

In her free time, Leon y Leon enjoys spending time in the mountains, skiing, golfing and playing tennis. Those interested in learning more about the CAR Foundation, and its work with local associations should contact Katia Leon y Leon or Amy McDermott at amcdermott@coloradorealtors. com. See the next page to submit an application for Colorado's Heart Award.