2025 California Firestorm & Wildfires Funder Resources
In January 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the Palisades Fire in southern California as it spread across the Los Angeles County region. President Biden has approved an additional Major Disaster Declaration for Los Angeles County, unlocking resources for local governments to respond. Our hearts go out to the communities and their loved ones who have been impacted by these devastating wildfires.
Jan 17 Funder Briefing
We invite you to join a special funder briefing on the January 2025 firestorm and wildfires in Southern California for an update on the current philanthropic response in the region. Panel speakers will include representatives from emergency management, government, community foundations, and other organizations addressing unmet needs on the ground.
Philanthropy California Coordinates Funder Resources
To help coordinate the philanthropic response, Philanthropy California—an alliance of Forum members Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties—created a funder resource page featuring a list of vetted and active funds set up by philanthropic organizations currently responding to the wildfires. The Philanthropy CA Disaster Response page also features information, resources, and events related to relief efforts.
Foundation Resources
- Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges - Statement and Recommended Funds
- California Community Foundation - Wildfire Recovery Fund
- California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) - California Donations Portal
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation - Response and Corporate Aid Tracker Page
- Council on Foundations - Philanthropy's Response to 2025 CA Wildfires
Center for Disaster Philanthropy Resources
- California Wildfires Recovery Fund
- 2025 North American Wildfires
- Overview of Wildfires, Drought, and Extreme Heat
Community Foundation Partnerships
People First Fund for Southern California Wildfires: A partnership between community foundations and the Emergency Assistance Foundation. The Fund provides direct cash grants to impacted individuals and families for urgent needs, such as temporary shelter, food, clothing, and other self-identified essentials, filling critical gaps in traditional disaster response systems. People First Fund puts money directly into the hands of those impacted, allowing them the dignity and autonomy to meet their immediate needs as quickly as possible — while supporting long-term recovery and resilience.
National & Local Nonprofit Organizations
- Los Angeles Food Bank
- SupplyBank.org Disaster Relief Fund
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Wildfire Response Fund
Support for Families & Workers
- Baby2Baby: Provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities.
- LAUSD Education Emergency Relief Fund: Offering direct cash assistance and support to families and employees affected by the fires; support teachers and in-class resources for students at impacted schools, ensuring continuity of learning to the greatest extent possible; provide flexible assistance for mental health support; and offer support for other immediate and long-term needs for students, families, and teachers.
- National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON): Providing crucial support to immigrant day laborers, undocumented workers, and mixed-status families impacted by the wildfires.
- The Black Music Action Coalition: Focus on Black residents and small businesses in Los Angeles.
- This Is About Humanity: Front and second-line migrant farm workers, day laborers, and other essential workers and their families severely impacted by the recent fires in Los Angeles.
Support for First Responders
- CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation
- California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund
- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
- Los Angeles Police Foundation
- National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON): Support for incarcerated firefighters are on the front lines of the wildfires across Southern California.
- Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighters Fund