The Community First Foundation has made its first disbursement, awarding $100,000 to local nonprofit organizations that are meeting critical needs of those affected by the Aurora theater massacre.
"Our community is defined by the good of many, not the evil acts of one," said Marla J. Williams, the foundation's president and chief executive. "We are happy we can get much-needed resources to these organizations in a timely way."
The $100,000 represents matched funds given to the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, which is administered free of charge by the Community First Foundation. To date, more than $2 million has been donated or pledged to the fund, including a "significant" gift from Warner Bros.
Goldbug and The Denver Post Community Foundation have also made big contributions.
The Aurora Victim Relief Fund, established in partnership with Gov. John Hickenlooper, will be used to meet the immediate and long-term needs of victims and their families, and, as funds are available, for the broad needs of those affected in the community.
GivingFirst.org, a division of Community First Foundation, provides a safe and secure option for donating to either the Aurora Victim Relief Fund or the 10 trusted nonprofits serving the victims and their families. These include Aurora Mental Health Center, Safe2Tell, Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Metro Crisis Services Inc.
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, GivingFirst.org had received $416,400 from 3,780 donors. Of that total, $284,700 was earmarked for the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, with $131,700 specified for the nonprofits.
Also, AMC Cares Charitable Fund announced it will match, up to $50,000, donations made to amctheatres.com/aurora.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is making a major financial contribution to help victims. Smith, a 12-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire career playing for Carolina, has pledged $100,000 to help survivors pay for medical expenses. According to a news release issued by his agent, Smith will send the money to the city of Aurora, which will then distribute the money to victims.
"From one NFL city to another, God bless," Smith said in the statement.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/getitwrite
Staff writer Lindsey H. Jones contributed to this report.
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