What is the mission of the Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs?
The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s services while promoting excellence in the department and improving public safety by providing resources not otherwise available from the City.
Why was the Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs created?
Business and civic leaders established the Foundation in 2015 as an independent, nonprofit organization to strengthen the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s services to our growing city. That growth expands the challenges our firefighters face daily. The Fire Foundation provides an important avenue for the private sector to come alongside our firefighters to support the department’s mission.

How is the Foundation governed?
The foundation is governed by a board of directors of well-respected citizens in our community. The Fire Department also is represented during board meetings by one ex-officio board member who is also an employee of CSFD.
What are the Foundation’s goals?
  • Providing financial support to our Colorado Springs Fire Department  
  • Building upon the existing partnership between the CSFD and Colorado Springs businesses and the community
  • Ensuring Colorado Springs firefighters have the resources, equipment and training to provide businesses and residents the very best fire protection services
How will the Foundation work with other non-profit organizations in the community?
The Foundation’s goal is to work with existing groups already supporting the department, including but not limited to our partnership with Shield616 for outfitting CSFD firefighters with protective ballistic vests.  Other non-profit organizations will also partner with the foundation to raise awareness and funds. 
How DOES the Foundation work with and support the CSFD?
The Foundation invests in our fire department and the future of our City.
  • The fire department budget is constrained by the available taxpayer dollars allocated for public safety. Working as an independent, non-profit organization, the Foundation leverages private dollars to support department innovations which are unfunded in the existing budget process.
  • The Foundation is the only organization in Colorado Springs that exists to solely support the fire department through donations and community backing.
  • The Foundation’s Board of Directors reviews all requests from the department for possible funding.
What sorts of funding requests does The Foundation consider?
Supplemental funding from the Foundation will help pay for equipment and training for Colorado Springs Fire Department firefighters.
  • The Foundation seeks to provide additional resources through citizen and corporate donations for improved training, technology, and strategies for enhanced fire safety.
  • Highly trained and equipped firefighters will mean safer neighborhoods, improved firefighting effectiveness, and a world-class department ready to meet any challenge.Supplemental funding from the Foundation will help pay for equipment and training for Colorado Springs Fire Department firefighters.
  • The Foundation seeks to provide additional resources through citizen and corporate donations for improved training, technology, and strategies for enhanced fire safety.
  • Highly trained and equipped firefighters will mean safer neighborhoods, improved firefighting effectiveness, and a world-class department ready to meet any challenge.
How DOES the Foundation contribute to improved public safety?
The success of our fire department depends on community support, which contributes to increased public safety.
  • Effective fire safety is dependent on a properly staffed, trained, and equipped fire department.
  • The Foundation is positioned to help the Department in funding specialized training for key department staff.
  • The bond between the Department and the community strengthens with citizen involvement.
How DOES the Foundation unify citizens and the fire department to improve public safety?
Volunteer foundation board members interact with community and business leaders throughout the City, always seeking input to make our fire department stronger through a variety of funding opportunities.
The Foundation board members, working with input from the community, works with fire department leadership to help the department better understand and respond to the desires of citizens for the future direction of the department.
Board members work with the department to provide vital funding and support to enhance fire safety efforts clearly of interest to the community.
  • Citizens will be given the chance to interact with the fire department, including ride-alongs and tours, to gain a greater understanding of what our department does.
  • An on-going relationship between the board, the department, and citizens allows for greater accountability and money being spent wisely by/for our fire department.  Good stewardship of funds and a focus on future needs will lead to a positive outcome.
Will Foundation funding replace City funding?
FFCS will not fund those needs and activities which should be funded through the City’s operation and maintenance budget.