The Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District (PSFPD) has an annual operating budget of less than $45,000. With many of the residents having experienced significant flood damage with resulting expenses, we are seeking funds from various sources inside and outside the community, as the diagram on the left shows (click onto the diagram for an enlarged version).

Other Fundraising Sources:

Tile Campaign:

Glen Haven raised money for their fire station exclusively from community giving (assisted by a tile campaign) and a boot campaign.

The ‘Pinewood Springs Tile Campaign’ was created to provide recognition for community members and corporations for their generous donations toward building the new Fire Stations / Community Center.  The recognition program consists of 5 different tile styles based on the level of giving. The levels for recognition are $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000.  Donors achieving a higher level in the future through additional contributions, will have their old tile retired in place of the new (and more aesthetically pleasing) tile.

US-36 Boot Campaign:

As stated above, Glen Haven was very successful with their boot campaign, raising out-of-community funds to the tune of $60,000 (about $4,000 per weekend).  Through online investigation it was discovered that during 2012 (pre-flood), 2,234,786 total vehicles were counted as they traveled on US-36.  Though we can’t stop traffic on US-36, as Glen Haven could on their main street, we hope that the high number of visitors passing through Pinewood Springs will allow us to collect significant funds from outside of the community.

On January 17, nine members of the PS Fire Protection District and several Fire Station Project Committee members conducted a “test run” of what we hope will be a semi-regular (and always successful) fundraising event.  The main purpose of the January “test run” was to work out any “kinks” so that even more successful Boot Campaign events can be held in spring and summer when tourist traffic is at its peak.

The Boot Campaign involved positioning signs, emergency vehicles, and geared-up firefighters holding boots, between the mailboxes and the Colorado Cherry Company for the purpose of encouraging westbound drivers on Highway 36 to stop, learn about the Fire Station Project, and make donations. Those who donated received a coupon for a free small coffee and a homemade biscotti, compliments of the Colorado Cherry Company.

Grants:

Grants Status: The following table shows the grants that have been submitted and their resolution as of February 2015.

The items in the table above highlighted in red are not capital (building) related grants and, therefore their funds do not count toward the DOLA Construction Grant 50/50 contribution requirement. Under DOLA rules, funds from the items highlighted in green above count toward the DOLA Construction Grant 50/50 contribution requirement as long as they aren’t spent at DOLA Construction Grant award time.

Pinewood Springs Community Foundation:

Grant research uncovered that an overwhelming number of public and private foundations require 501(c)(3) status in order to award grant funds.  The Pinewood Spring Fire Protection District has 501(c)(4) status (local government).  The Pinewood Springs Community Foundation was formed and registered with the State of Colorado on December 17, 2014 and was given 501(c)(3) distinction from the IRS on December 29, 2014.

DOLA Construction Grant:

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has an Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (largely funded by fracking done in Colorado – for us, fracking in Larimer County). The kinds of projects that are funded include water and sewer improvements, road improvements, construction/improvements to recreation centers, senior centers and other public facilities, fire protection buildings and equipment, and local government planning. Tier 1 grant awards are up to $200,000 and are used for a variety of public purposes including planning, engineering and design studies, and capital projects requiring a limited level of financial assistance. Tier 2 grant awards range from $200,000 up to $2,000,000 and are intended to support a wide variety of community development projects to improve quality of life in communities.

DOLA is one of the few funds that offer grants for capital (building) projects, like our new Fire Station / Community Center. The “catch” for DOLA grants is that the community awarded the grant must match a minimum of 25%, and more competitively at the 50% match level (i.e., for every dollar DOLA grants, we have to have $1 cash available).