Victims of the Waldo Canyon fire hoping to get their hands on money donated to various organizations in the wake of the devastating blaze shouldn’t expect to receive a check made out directly to them.

At a press conference on Friday, representatives from three agencies working collaboratively to address the needs of Waldo Canyon fire victims aimed to clear the air over how more than a million dollars in combined donations will be distributed throughout the community. The bottom line: The money will funnel from their organizations to social service nonprofits, area fire departments, public entities and other organizations that have played a role in helping people since the fire broke out June 23. It won’t go directly to individuals or businesses.

Officials with Pikes Peak United Way, which is administering the Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund, said it makes sense to pass the money to direct-service nonprofits, such as Catholic Charities and Ecumenical Social Ministries, because they have expertise in providing case management and vetting applicants.

“We don’t have that capability, but the nonprofits do,” said Terrance McWilliams, chairman of United Way’s board of directors. “They know what they’re doing.”

A proper vetting process also reduces the risk of the money ending up in the hands of scam artists.

“There’s easy money out there,” McWilliams said.

Money from the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012, created through the governor’s office and administered by the Denver Foundation, will be handled the same way, once the Pikes Peak area receives its share of the $1 million raised so far, said Eric Cefus, who works with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation and is on the new fund’s board.

The United Way fund already has a committee of about six people — all with expertise in either disaster relief or allocations — that will go through applications from nonprofits and other entities to make awards. Cefus said a local allocations committee will be set up to perform a similar role to distribute money from the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012.

The other big message from the press conference: Fire victims who require immediate assistance should call the 2-1-1 helpline, which can refer them to the agencies best equipped to meet their needs.

The Great Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC is also working with its partners on a plan to help businesses affected by the fire, but is not yet ready to release details.

THE KEY PLAYERS

WALDO CANYON FIRE VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUNDBackground: Established with a seed grant of $125,000 from the El Pomar Foundation, the fund will provide near- and intermediate-term support to nonprofits that have provided or will provide direct services to fire victims.Amount raised: About $850,000 to date. Money has come from donations and fundraisers, including a July 4 concert at the World Arena. Contributions will no longer be accepted after Aug. 31.Disbursement: The fund is being administered by Pikes Peak United Way; no money has been distributed yet. A six-person advisory committee will go through the applications. Money can be used for current and ongoing services, or to replenish coffers emptied to provide services during the fire. The fund is expected to be depleted within the year. No money will be given directly to individuals or businesses.To apply: Information on applying is available at www.ppunitedway.org, and applicants must describe the ways they’ve helped or will help fire victims. For more information, call 955-0748.

WALDO CANYON FIREFIGHTERS FUNDBackground: The Pikes Peak Community Foundation established the fund soon after the fire broke out June 23 to help fire departments and community organizations affected by the fire. It began distributing money the first week. Recipients include the Green Mountain Falls Fire Department, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and Teller County Animal Rescue.Amount raised: $87,000 to date; $14,000 has been given out. In addition, two other funds under the PPCF umbrella have distributed about $140,000.Disbursement: Funds are for immediate- and intermediate-term needs. Long-term needs will be addressed based on the availability of funds. No money will be given directly to individuals or businesses.To apply: Email fund requests to ecefus@ppcf.org. Write a short letter describing the amount requested, the specific purpose of the funds, what community needs will be met, how the funds will be expended, and how success will be measured. For more information, call Eric Cefus at 389-1251.COLORADO SPRINGS TOGETHERBackground: Created at the behest of Mayor Steve Bach, this nonprofit is focused on the coordination of the recovery and rebuilding of the hard-hit Mountain Shadows area.Amount raised: Individual and corporate donors have committed about $150,000, said Bob Cutter, who heads the organization.Disbursement: No money will be given to individuals or businesses. The money is being used to create and operate a resource center at 6840 Centennial Blvd. that will house representatives from agencies and businesses key to the rebuilding and recovery effort. Money is also being used for communications and special neighborhood events to support the community. For more information, email bob@COStogether.org.PIKES PEAK REGION LONG-TERM RECOVERY GROUPBackground: About 30 nonprofits, volunteer and faith-based groups joined together to address long-term recovery issues, including financial assistance, housing, child care, mental health, spiritual care, small business recovery and disaster case management.Amount raised: None so far, though the member organizations have some of their own funds. The group will try to tap into the Fire Victim Assistance Fund, and will set up a funding mechanism for donations.Disbursement: This is one group that will give money directly to individuals, said co-founder Mark Rohlena, who is also CEO of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado. “They key is to try to use case management tools to make sure we’re using money the way donors intended,” he said. But distribution is still down the road. For more information, call 866-6425.COLORADO FIRE RELIEF FUND 2012Background: Created June 28 through the office of Gov. John Hickenlooper, the fund will be used to help communities affected by wildfires throughout the state.Amount raised: More than $1 million from individuals and corporations has been pledged so far. The Denver Foundation is administering the fund.Disbursement: Community foundations in areas affected by the fires will determine how the money will be disbursed. Eric Cefus of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, who is on the board, said Friday that about 40 percent of fund will funnel into the Pikes Peak region. A local allocations committee will vet applications and get its recommendations approved at the state level. The money will not go to directly to individuals or businesses, but to nonprofits and public entities. The application process will be announced in the coming weeks.