By donating to the Spirit of Aurora you can support city of Aurora programs that enhance the quality of life in Aurora. There are several city department programs to choose from such as Library & Cultural Services, Parks, Recreation & Open Space, Housing and Community Services, Police, Fire, Judicial, Water and more. You can also make a general donation that will help us provide grants to local community nonprofits. Some examples of local nonprofits we have helped are: Gateway Domestic Violence Services, Hoop Scoop, 7/20 Memorial Foundation and the Aurora Korean War Memorial Fund. Spirit of Aurora is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Aurora citizens in 1989. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Aurora. For over 25 years we have continued to provide assistance for a variety of city and local community programs that benefit various groups and organizations in support of our wonderful city. Our volunteer board of directors work closely with the city of Aurora which provides in‐kind support so that 100 percent of donations go directly to programs. All donations are tax deductible.

Ways to Give

Spirit of Aurora accepts donations and grants on behalf of city of Aurora programs and general donations that help us provide grants that support local community nonprofits. Other Aurora community nonprofits can also apply for Spirit of Aurora funds from the unrestricted assets, by submitting a grant application to the Spirit of Aurora board for approval. The dollar amount of the funds that are released from Spirit to other community programs are based on the board’s discretion. To request a grant application, please use the email address below.

Please make checks payable to Spirit of Aurora and specify the project or program in the memo area. Mail your tax-deductible contribution to:

Spirit of Aurora
15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Fifth Floor
Aurora, CO 80012

You can donate directly by using PayPal through the links below. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

By donating to the Spirit of Aurora you can support…

Aurora Fire Rescue Camp Spark

Aurora Fire Rescue runs an immersive 3-day camp in the summer each year for middle to high school women (ages 11-19) at no cost to the participants. We have the ultimate goal of spiking interest in these young women to join the fire service, a career that is comprised of only 8% of women. More importantly, we look for the young women to leave our camp as stronger leaders within their families, friend groups, schools, and communities. Camp is held the last weekend in July and includes a firehouse visit and an overnight stay at the City of Aurora Public Safety Training Center (CAPSTC) maximizing the time spent with the young women. 

 

Give Real Change Campaign

The Give Real Change campaign aims to curb panhandling in Aurora and supports those in need in a meaningful way that fosters long-term change toward self-sufficiency. Proceeds from the campaign will support Aurora's homelessness programs and help funded essential needs for those experiencing homelessness such as bus tickets, food and water. The funds will also help pay for vital documents such as IDs and birth certificates. Learn more about this campaign at GiveRealChange.org. 

 

Victims Assistance Fund

The mission of the Victim Services Unit of the Aurora Police Department is to provide timely, effective crisis intervention, support, information, and resources to victims of crime within the City of Aurora. Victim advocates are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to calls for service along with patrol officers on crimes that fall under the Colorado Victim Rights Act to provide support and resources. Victims of crime and their families often experience financial hardships in the aftermath of their victimization. The Victim Services Unit hopes to lessen this burden by providing gift cards for things like food, clothing, and/or hygiene items to victims—for example, a domestic violence and their children who are forced to flee from their home. We also provide assistance to victims with transportation needs in the form of gift cards for gas, ride-share companies, and/or bus passes. Any funds received would be used for these purposes, and in accordance with the Victim Rights Act in Colorado.  

 

Aurora Homelessness Services

The city of Aurora conducts outreach to neighbors living on the streets or in their vehicles via Street Outreach, the Aurora Cold Weather Outreach Team (ACOT), and the Aurora Mobile Response Team (AMRT). Proceeds will go toward items such as socks, hygiene kits, nonperishable food, and coats. There is also an Amazon Wishlist in which you can purchase items that will help stock the outreach teams.

Street Outreach is contracted with nonprofits in Aurora that specialize in working with people experiencing homelessness. They go to camps seven days a week to provide resources and make referrals.

The Aurora Cold Weather Outreach Team (ACOT) is a collaborative of social workers, mental health clinicians, APD officers, and AFD paramedics. When the weather is life-threateningly cold, this team is activated. They outreach to camps and offer transportation to shelter, wound care, and resources such as coats, hand warmers, and food.

The Aurora Mobile Response Team (AMRT) pairs a mental health clinician with a paramedic or EMT to provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and de-escalation services on the scene to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis related to mental health, depression, homelessness, poverty, and/or substance use issues.

 

Mobile Food Market with SECORCares

Grocery shopping may not always be the most enjoyable chore we do, but to those living in a food insecure home, a trip to the grocery store is the greatest of gifts. SECORCares, in partnership with the Aurora Police Department’s (APD) Community Relations Section, hosts a wide-range of mobile food events throughout Aurora to benefit seniors, community members experiencing homelessness, school children, victims of crime, and immigrants and refugees.

Through SECOR’s free mobile food market, guests are able to shop and put food on their tables, without concern for payment. Community members are provide with fresh produce, meats, dairy, fresh breads, canned and dry goods, and even desserts. On average, community members are provided with enough food to last 10-14 days. Learn more about SECORCares’ work in the community: www.SecorCares.com

100% of all donations received by Spirit of Aurora to benefit SECOR’s Mobile Food Market are used to purchase food.

 

Aurora Water Cares (AWC)

AWC provides bill payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency. This income-qualified program is open to Aurora Water customers and provides up to to $400 per award once every 12 months with a maximum of four total awards per customer lifetime.

 

Aurora Animal Shelter

Help our furry friends find safe, loving forever homes. Your donations support veterinary needs, medical treatment, food and shelter for homeless animals; investigation and prosecution of cruelty violations; and prevention/educational programs. All contributions directly benefit the animals.

 

Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership

The Steering Committee of the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership (the Partnership) consists of leaders from the greater metropolitan community who have an interest in promoting the wellbeing, cultures and businesses of Aurora’s diverse Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Members initiate projects for which they are passionate. By doing so, the Partnership serves as a conduit of information and resources to help educate the greater community on any number of issues, cultural experiences and projects that concern the AANHPI communities.

 

Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA)

The ACAA serves active 50+ adults with programs and services. Your generous donation helps fund classes in fitness, health, dance, computers, arts, crafts and other hobbies, as well as day trips, hikes, social activities and events. These programs engage the mind, enhance creativity and encourage an active lifestyle.

 

Aurora Fox Arts Center

The historic Aurora Fox Arts Center is the home of a professional Equity Theatre Company that hosts the area’s top performing artists and outstanding theatrical shows. Donations support programming and capital improvements. Corporate sponsorships are available at all levels.

 

Library Summer Reading Program

Give the gifts of reading and learning to a child through the summer reading program. This popular program reaches an average of 6,000 children each summer, and is funded solely through gifts and donations, which are used to purchase supplies, books and prizes for participants.

 

Aurora Scholars Program

The program publicly recognizes students in Aurora schools who strongly contribute to their school and community. They might be a stellar student athlete, a terrific citizen, a high academic achiever or a dedicated volunteer. But most importantly, they go above and beyond in whatever they do best. Your donation continues to award these efforts and invests in the future of Aurora.

 

Community of Many Providing After School Success (COMPASS)

COMPASS provides after-school academic and enrichment programs to young people attending Aurora Public Schools. It is a partnership between Aurora Public Schools, the city of Aurora and several community organizations. Individuals, businesses and community organization partners can contribute funding toward these programs, and help children to succeed and grow into productive citizens and successful adults.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

This yearly commemoration brings together community members from all walks of life to celebrate and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learn more at AuroraGov.org/MLK.  

 

Police K9 Unit

The Aurora K9 Unit uses Spirit of Aurora Funds to supplement the financial support of the Police Department. The donated monies are used to purchase specialized equipment to outfit the K9 team so they can effectively and safely assist in resolving dangerous situations. The funds can also be used in purchasing safety and comfort items for the dogs, maintaining safe kenneling areas, ensuring the vehicles used to transport them are safe and reliable, and supporting the high level of training necessary to provide exceptional service to the community.

 

Water for Life Program

This program promotes water safety and increases basic knowledge of swimming skills for youth via scholarships.

 

Youth Services Programs

Programs help build positive life-enhancing skills, attitudes and behaviors in our youth. These qualities are developmental assets, and we build these assets in youth through COMPASS, Aurora Youth Commission, America’s Promise and Summer Youth Activities. Donations go to fund these many life-changing programs.

 

Aurora Office of Emergency Management

The Mission of the Aurora Office of Emergency Management is to lead the city through disasters and emergencies by comprehensive preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. If a disaster were to impact the city and financial assistance is needed for community members, donating is one great way to help. The Office of Emergency Management uses Spirit of Aurora as the donation management site for those wanting to (financially) assist their community members rebuild after a disaster or emergency.

 

SOA General Donation

If you wish to make a general donation to Spirit of Aurora (SOA), please use this donation button. Please note that the SOA board will allocate your donation to other programs or local community nonprofits based on need.

 

Board of Directors

Heather Dearman, Board Chair

Janet Marlow, Vice Chair
Novella Real Estate

Bob Jamieson, Treasurer

David Patterson
Chief Executive Officer, Falck Rocky Mountain

Council Member Ruben Medina
Ex Officio

William Gondrez

Special Thanks

The Board of Directors is grateful to each of the foundations, corporations, agencies and individuals whose donations enhanced the quality of life in Aurora.