California Community Foundation Raises $50 Million from Over 36,000 Donors for LA Wildfire Recovery

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 North Valley Community Foundation for operational support and capacity building associated with critical long-term wildfire relief efforts related to the Camp Fire. The Leadership Capacity Initiative at the North Valley Community Foundation to identify and provide opportunities for community leaders to develop skills: from a framework for meaningful collaboration to organizational succession planning. The Trauma Healing Initiative at the North Valley Community Foundation to work toward a systems change approach to trauma-informed care inclusive of a regional framework and strategy for addressing long-term trauma. The Housing/Regional Planning Pooled Fund at the North Valley Community Foundation to facilitate a regional planning process focused on affordability and develop permanent mobile homes for fire victims. Rebuild Paradise Foundation for capacity to support long-term rebuild efforts in Paradise. The Camp Fire Long-Term Recovery Group for operational expenses to cover the group’s resource center and program support for direct services (case management, financial support, etc.) for Camp Fire survivors. The Butte County Office of Education for the Center for Learning and Resilience, a permanent Center offering the full continuum of services to respond to childhood trauma and adversity. California Vocations Inc. for capacity support and operational expenses associated with providing 24/7 supportive services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Chico Housing Action Team (CHAT) for the Camp Fire Housing Access Model Program (CHAMP) which allows CHAT to assist qualifying households seeking subsidized housing. Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. to hire a new case manager to assist clients with barriers to gaining or retaining employment. Funds will also go to financial assistance for clients. North Valley Housing Trust for financing for the creation of units of affordable housing. Boys and Girls Club North Valley to expand their Chico Club, enhance transportation services, and maintain a Case Manager to support youth and families affected by the Camp Fire. Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to provide technical assistance to create a sewer utility in Paradise and build capacity of CHIP to develop affordable housing in Camp Fire affected areas. Oroville Hope Center for a Resource Center to provide food, water, and goods to fire victims displaced in Oroville. The Jesus Center for a subsidized bridge housing opportunity to immediately house Camp Fire victims. Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) for increased capacity in their Rental Housing and Homeownership Departments to ramp up production on multi-family and single-family housing projects. Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter for housing for low-income Camp Fire victims who relocated to nearby Yuba and Sutter counties. Southern California Relief Ventura County Community Foundation for added capacity support and a gap analysis to inform outreach to those in need of additional long-term relief. Women’s Economic Ventures for capacity to support employment assistance, small business resiliency, and on-going financial assistance for wildfire victims. Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles for staffing and new office costs associated with providing rebuilding and case management support for affected households. Community Career Development for case management and workforce development for those affected by the Woolsey Fire. Give an Hour for free mental and behavioral health care for fire victims. California Lutheran University Community Counseling Services to address the mental health needs of wildfire affected communities by developing clinical training, providing direct services, and promoting community readiness. Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County for the creation of the Regional Disaster Legal Assistance Collaboration. Westminster Free Clinic for free mental health services for communities affected by the Woolsey Fire. Big Heart Ranch to provide care for rescued therapy farm animals and ongoing trauma and wellness animal-centered healing for Woolsey and Hill fire victims. Los Angeles County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Group for the unmet needs of Woolsey/Hill fire victims working with Disaster Case Managers on their recovery plans. 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[…]