FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 30, 2025
Contact: Press Office, California Community Foundation
Email: connie@cielostrategic.com; press@calfund.org

Los Angeles, CA – The California Community Foundation (CCF) has raised $50 million from more than 36,000 donors across Los Angeles – and the world – to support the most vulnerable and impacted by the region’s devastating wildfires. This overwhelming generosity has allowed CCF to provide over $20 million in critical grants to more than 130 organizations across LA County. This aid, provided within 10 days of the blazes starting, delivers critical aid to help families, workers, and small businesses across the region manage this crisis.  

As thousands remain displaced from their homes, jobs, schools, and places of worship, the need for support remains. CCF is working alongside community partners to assess evolving needs and will distribute additional funding to support long-term stability and rebuilding efforts in the weeks ahead. The organization has committed to giving half the funding to immediate efforts in the first month of the wildfire disaster.

“Once the fires began, CCF instantly mobilized its wildfire recovery fund to provide immediate help. But we know recovery doesn’t end when the fires are contained – this is a years-long journey that requires sustained commitment. We will be here for the long haul,” said Miguel Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation. “Our work would not be possible without the incredible support of our donors – more than 36,000 who have given from 5 dollars to $4 million to express their love for Los Angeles and faith in our resilience.”

As an active partner in the region’s recovery, CCF ensures communities lead the rebuilding process. Its grants support a trusted network of organizations providing direct financial aid, legal support, mental health services, housing assistance, and small business stabilization. This funding has expanded the capacity of organizations like New Economics for Women, allowing them to offer temporary housing, childcare, and direct cash relief to families who lost homes and jobs.

“Thanks to the generosity of the California Community Foundation, we can provide additional direct financial assistance to individuals who have lost their homes, jobs, or businesses,” said Leticia Andueza, CEO of New Economics for Women. “In this time of hardship, our team is here to support those affected and offer a helping hand to rebuild and move forward.” Watch our video here to learn how CCF and New Economics for Women are making a difference.

As LA County moves into long-term recovery, CCF’s grantmaking will continue to align with FEMA best practices, prioritizing rehousing wildfire survivors, providing relief for displaced workers, reopening small businesses, and restoring essential community infrastructure. The foundation granted $15 million on January 17th to support the efforts of hundreds of organizations that provide direct aid to thousands across the County. CCF also oversees the charitable giving of more than 1,900 individuals and families who combined granted out $5 million to support impacted communities. As aid continues to come in, CCF’s wildfire relief efforts will gain further visibility through a feature at this year’s GRAMMYs, helping to raise critical funds.

CCF has led disaster relief efforts in California since 2003. The foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund is designed to complement immediate relief efforts with sustained, strategic support, ensuring that communities have the resources they need to rebuild and recover. Committed to transparency and accountability, CCF ensures every dollar is maximized to deliver long-term impact. For a complete list of grantees and more information on how you can help, please visit the official Wildfire Recovery Fund website.

About the California Community Foundation (CCF):
Since 1915, CCF has served Los Angeles County as a public charitable organization dedicated to leading systemic change that strengthens communities. Managing $2.3 billion in assets and overseeing 1,900 charitable foundations, funds and legacies, CCF’s mission is to invest in, partner with and amplify the power of community toward a good life. For more information, visit www.calfund.org.

By Chico Enterprise-Record

Los Angeles Daily News

The California Community Foundation’s (CCF) Wildfire Relief Fund announced it would give $11 million to support longer-term recovery efforts in communities impacted by the Camp, Woolsey and Hill Fires.

In November 2018, three massive wildfires broke out, devastating communities across Northern and Southern California. Butte County faced the nation’s deadliest wildfire in more than a century, the Camp Fire, which killed 86 and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures. In Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, the Hill and Woolsey fires killed three and forced hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes.

The Wildfire Relief Fund’s $11 million in support represents the third round of relief and recovery funding for communities affected by the Camp, Hill and Woolsey Fires, raising the total granted to $17.2 million.

These grants are made possible thanks to the incredible outpouring of support by people around the world who stepped up to help in the aftermath of the fires. Since November, more than 22,000 individuals, families, foundations and corporations shared their care and resources with those who have experienced loss by donating to the fund.

Determined through consultation with on-the-ground partners in affected areas, the current grants focus on longer-term efforts like access to affordable housing, free or low-cost mental and behavioral healthcare, economic recovery, and bolstering the local social safety net. These grants include $8.3 million in support for Northern California communities affected by the Camp Fire and $2.7 million for Southern California communities impacted by the Hill & Woolsey Fires.

Recipients include:

Northern California Relief

Southern California Relief

In the second round of funding CCF worked with local nonprofits and other safety net providers in Butte County to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s ongoing recovery needs. The results of this study helped determine the grants in this third round of funding focused on the longer-term recovery efforts. Read the full report on the CCF website.

“It has been inspiring to witness how communities reduced to rubble by fires have used the Wildfire Relief funds to rebuild,” said CCF President & CEO Antonia Hernández. “Their resilience and commitment to collective long-term recovery will strengthen the safety net for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.”

A complete list of Wildfire Relief Fund grants related to the Camp, Hill & Woolsey Fires, along with pictures and stories from grantee organizations, can be found on the Wildfire Relief Fund’s Community Impact Page.

The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports immediate and longer-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts. Since 2003, the fund has granted more than $22 million to support relief and recovery efforts throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.calfund.org/wildfire.

The California Community Foundation has served as a public, charitable organization since 1915, empowering donors to pursue their own personal passions and to collaborate with us in addressing the root causes of challenges in Los Angeles County. CCF stewards $1.7 billion in assets and manages 1,700 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, please visit www.calfund.org.

CONTACT
Roshin Mathew
[cryptx]rmathew@www.calfund.org[/cryptx]
(213) 452-6229

North Valley Community Foundation newsroom

By Alan Kwok, Northern California Grantmakers newsroom

Performance Team

LOS ANGELES – February 28, 2019 – The California Community Foundation’s (CCF) Wildfire Relief Fund announced it would give $5 million to support immediate and longer-term recovery efforts in communities impacted by the Camp, Woolsey and Hill Fires.

In November 2018, three massive wildfires broke out, devastating communities across Northern and Southern California. Butte County faced the nation’s deadliest wildfire in more than a century, the Camp Fire, which killed 86 and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures. In Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, the Hill and Woolsey fires killed three and forced hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes.

The Wildfire Relief Fund’s $5 million in support represents the second round of relief and recovery funding for communities affected by the Camp, Hill and Woolsey Fires, raising the total granted to $6.2 million.

These grants are made possible thanks to the incredible outpouring of support by people around the world who stepped up to help in the aftermath of the fires. Since November, more than 21,000 individuals, families, foundations and corporations shared their care and resources with those who have experienced loss by donating to the fund.

Determined through consultation with on-the-ground partners in affected areas, the current grants focus both on the immediate needs of vulnerable residents and on longer-term efforts like economic recovery and bolstering the local social safety net. These grants include $3.5 million in support for Northern California communities affected by the Camp Fire and $1.5 million for Southern California communities impacted by the Hill & Woolsey Fires.

Recipients include:

Northern California Relief

Southern California Relief

In addition, CCF is working with local nonprofits and other safety net providers in Butte County to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s ongoing recovery needs. The results of this study will help determine future grants focused on the longer-term recovery effort.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with the stewardship of our donors’ gifts and to join them in helping wildfire-affected communities,” said CCF President & CEO Antonia Hernández. “Their generosity is helping new futures to take root, rise above the ashes and burst into bloom.”

A complete list of Wildfire Relief Fund grants related to the Camp, Hill & Woolsey Fires, along with pictures and stories from grantee organizations, can be found on the Wildfire Relief Fund’s Community Impact Page.

The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports immediate and longer-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts. Since 2003, the fund has granted more than $11 million to support relief and recovery efforts throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.calfund.org/wildfire.

The California Community Foundation has served as a public, charitable organization since 1915, empowering donors to pursue their own personal passions and to collaborate with us in addressing the root causes of challenges in Los Angeles County. CCF stewards $1.7 billion in assets and manages 1,700 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, please visit www.calfund.org.

CONTACT
Roshin Mathew
rmathew@www.calfund.org
(213) 452-6229

AARP Foundation newsroom

by Kelly Kerrigan, The Daily Aztec