Study: Wealthier Marshall Fire survivors raised more on GoFundMe
A CU Boulder analysis of private fundraising campaigns for Marshall Fire survivors found that wealthier households attracted more donors and larger donations than lower-earning families.
Researchers analyzed GoFundMe campaigns for 975 survivors of the Marshall Fire and private financial data via a partnership with credit bureau Experian. They found that “beneficiaries with incomes above $150,000 received 28% more support than those with incomes below $75,000,” according to a university writeup on the study.
Households with larger GoFundMe campaigns started rebuilding their homes four to eight months earlier, the research found. Researchers attributed the disparity to the larger and more wealthy social networks of richer households.
The paper has not yet been through the peer review process. Read more at bit.ly/Marshall-Fire-funds.
‘Doxxing truck’ targets CU ethnic studies department
A truck with a large electronic billboard last week displayed the names and images of professors in CU’s ethnic studies department, under the text “Boulder’s Leading antisemites.” That’s according to multiple media reports and social media posts.
The truck was affiliated with Accuracy in Media, a nonprofit conservative media watchdog. The organization’s trucks have visited several campuses across the country, including Harvard and Yale, projecting the names and images of students and faculty who have publicly criticized Israel for its military response to an Oct. 7 terrorist attack. The vehicle has been dubbed a “doxxing truck” after the practice of publishing and/or amplifying identifiable information about individuals, typically with the intent to intimidate or harass.
In Boulder, at least one professor moved a class online, the Daily Camera reported.
CU’s ethnic studies department first drew public condemnation for an Oct. 23 statement supporting a “free Palestine.” University officials distanced themselves from the statement, which was later withdrawn.
AIM later posted on X an image of the truck with “Free Palestine” spray painted on it, claiming that the truck was vandalized while at CU Boulder.
University officials released a statement condemning “tactics designed to intimidate and threaten our students, faculty and staff.”
Anti-hate town hall
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and Boulder Jewish Community Center are co-hosting Standing Against Hate, a community town hall, Monday, Feb. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m.
The event will feature a panel with representatives of the DA’s office, JCC, Out Boulder County, Anti-Defamation League and CU’s Center for African American Studies and will include instruction on bystander intervention.
The town hall is part of the DA’s initiative to reduce hate crimes, ongoing since 2018. “The numbers in Colorado are particularly concerning,” says DA spokesperson Shannon Carbone, with reported hate crimes increasing 14% between 2017 and 2022.
Questions can be submitted in advance to boulderda@bouldercounty.org. Additional questions will be taken from the audience if time allows.
In other news…
- The Hill Ambassador program will last through December after CU put $57,000 toward an extension. Ambassadors pick up trash, remove graffiti and provide information to residents and tourists. The program is a partnership of the university, downtown business groups and theCity of Boulder.
- Boulder’s Public Library is looking for volunteer board members to oversee operations of the new district. A two-year and a five-year term are available; applications are due Feb. 29. Visit boulderlibrary.org/about/board/ to learn more or attend a Feb. 20 info session from 5-6 p.m. at the Canyon Meeting Room of the Main Library (1001 Arapahoe Ave.)
- Boulder Housing Partners was awarded $1.9 million by the state’s housing board to help fund construction of the 73-unit Hawthorn Court apartment complex at Diagonal Plaza, according to a news release from the government agency.
- Raw milk could become legal to sell in Colorado under proposed bipartisan legislation SB024-43. Read more from CPR: bit.ly/raw-milk-bill.
