After surpassing its original goal of helping victims of the Club Q shooting, the creators of a popular online fundraiser have taken another step towards being more fair and accountable.
Hours after the shooting inside Club Q, Faith Haug was one of many Coloradoans calling for help.
“I never thought it would turn out like this,” Haug said.
Haug, co-founder of Good Judy Garage, said the queer-owned auto store aims to welcome and affirm members of the LGBTQ community and beyond. Over $860,000 was donated by people around the world.
“It’s not surprising,” Haug said. “The community here is incredible, but it’s also really amazing how it’s grown.”
Haug is currently working with the National Compassion Fund, a non-profit organization founded by those affected by the Aurora Theater shooting and other mass casualty incidents.
Going forward, a new steering committee, including medical professionals and other mass shooting survivors, will develop protocols for providing funding. Haug said they will then open a public city hall to discuss them and meet with victims.
“It creates a really streamlined and clear process and it’s public,” she said. “They’re on the website. Anyone can read those documents.”
The grassroots effort comes at a time when other fundraising organizations, such as the Colorado Healing Fund, are under scrutiny for transparency and how funds are distributed. Haug claims her mission is to give every penny collected to those in need.
“This is literally money to get into their bank account or as they see fit, and really it’s about making sure they receive 100% of the donated funds, and no one can get them. doesn’t tell you how you must use them,” Haug said.
Haug said the fund will remain open for some time to allow more people to donate. Victims start receiving money after the steering committee develops standards and funding stops.
Up-to-date information on these decisions, including the criteria and final public comment sessions, will be published on the National Compassion Fund website.
Connor McCue
