CCF Wildfire Community Stories: Vol 1
On January 7th, devastating wildfires erupted in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, tearing through neighborhoods with unprecedented speed and intensity. Fueled by extreme winds and dry conditions, the flames consumed approximately 18,700 acres, destroying or severely damaging thousands of homes and businesses, along with schools, places of worship and other critical community spaces. Thousands of families were forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs while first responders worked tirelessly to contain the flames.
Yet, in the face of unimaginable loss—the people of Los Angeles and the world rose to the occasion, and our team sprung into action to activate our Wildfire Recovery Fund, which since has provided over $30 million to communities affected by disasters.
Over the past month, we’ve experienced an overwhelming wave of generosity to support Los Angeles’ recovery. More than 40,000 donors have given nearly $70 million to CCF’s Wildfire Recovery Fund. From $5 individual donations to multi-million dollar contributions from major corporations, and support from major events like the GRAMMYs and the Super Bowl, every gift has made an impact.
Understanding the profound ripple effects this disaster has had on our region, our team acted swiftly, mobilizing over $15 million in grants to nearly 130 nonprofit organizations within 10 days of the fires breaking This immediate aid was a lifeline for vulnerable communities from Pacific Palisades to Altadena, providing critical support in housing, health, mental health, emergency response, legal aid, disability services, youth and senior programs, Indigenous and faith-based initiatives, arts, capacity building, research, and philanthropic partnerships—ensuring a comprehensive, community-driven recovery.
We also launched the LA Strong Series to highlight the real impact of this support. Watch the stories unfold on our YouTube channel and follow us on social media to see how communities are rebuilding and recovering.
As of February 14th, our total grant funding has grown to over $35 million, supporting more than 200 local organizations across Los Angeles County. To learn more about our grantmaking visit here, and to see our full list of grantees, please visit here.
CCF is also proud to be the fiscal sponsor to efforts that are targeting particular areas of need, that can ensure a robust recovery for our entire region. We are proud to be the fiscal sponsor to the Department of Angels, which will provide direct project management and advocacy for residents from impacted communities. We also continue to support our partnership with the California Black Freedom Fund, who launched the Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund to serve the immediate and long-term needs of Black communities displaced by the wildfires, especially in the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena.
Rebuilding will be a marathon, not a sprint. While we pause to reflect on our firefighters, first responders, and community’s incredible efforts, our hearts remain with those still facing hardship and loss. Too many across every corner of Los Angeles County are still struggling with housing instability, the pain of job loss, and excruciating mental health challenges and administrative burdens as they try to rebuild their lives from the ashes. Their fight is far from over, and neither is ours. This is why our new grantees will focus on business rehabilitation and economic stability in the coming months. If you’re interested in how to keep up the work, below are two ways you can help:
- Donate – Your contributions go directly to those in need. Every dollar makes a difference.
- Stay Engaged – Follow us on social media for real-time updates on our progress and impact.
The road ahead may be long, but we are walking it together every step of the way. Thank you for being a part of this effort. Los Angeles is resilient, and it’s because of you.