The Pasadena Star News published a story about the Altadena Rotary’s work on behalf of Eaton fire survivors, noting that grants from CCF and the Pasadena Community foundation helped fund at least four pancake community gatherings that brought displaced families back to town to share food and rekindle connections.
Pasadena Now featured a story about a free Saturday night summer concert series in Loma Alta Park, which is supported by CCF and other partners. The park sustained damage from the Eaton Fire in January 2025 but was reopened in May after a $3.4 million renovation.
CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana delivered the keynote commencement address at California State University Dominguez Hills in May and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. In his remarks, he shared his experiences as a first-generation college student and his battles with “imposter syndrome,” wondering if he belonged. “You belong in every room you walk into. You belong at every table you sit at,” he told the graduates. “As you move through life, measure success not only by what you achieve—but by how many people feel seen, supported, and loved because you were here. In the end, the goal is not simply to rise. It is to rise while lifting others with you.”
Numerous media covered a story highlighting Miguel Santana as the keynote speaker at Cal State Dominguez Hills’ graduation. CSUDH also conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Santana. The doctorate is in recognition of Santana’s decades of leadership advancing equity, economic opportunity and social justice in Los Angeles. In his remarks, Santana related his experiences as a first-generation college student—something he shares with over 44 percent of 2026 the graduates—“trying to navigate systems that were never designed with us in mind, often wondering if I truly belonged.” Santana shared his own battles with “imposter syndrome,” or as he put it, “That voice that tells you, ‘You don’t belong here,’ ‘You’re not ready,’ or ‘You’re not enough.’” The Daily Breeze and CSUDH also covered the graduation.
Miguel Santana was quoted in a story on an effort to reform the so-called Mansion Tax or ULA by engaging with local and state leaders. CCF strongly supported Measure ULA’s passage in 2022 and is now leading efforts to reform it by engaging with local and state leaders. Known as “Affordable LA: Mend It, Don’t End It,” a coalition is arguing that the real estate transfer tax – originally pitched as a way to fund affordable housing and homelessness programs – is instead constraining housing production, slowing real estate activity and draining public revenues. “There have been some unintended consequences,” said Miguel Santana.
Miguel Santana and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger joined Politico for a roundtable discussion on fire recovery nearly 500 days after the Los Angeles wildfires. “When survivors tell their stories directly, it stops being political and becomes human,” Santana said. “Communities across the country understand disaster and recovery — and when people hear firsthand what families in Altadena and the Palisades have lost, and what it takes to rebuild homes, schools, businesses and places of worship, it becomes impossible to look away.”
CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana joined Andrew King of the Department of Angels and host Kate Cagle on the LA Times Studios podcast “Rebuilding L.A.” to speak plainly about what’s at stake for wildfire survivors nearly 500 days after the Jan 7 fires: as temporary housing funding disappears and federal assistance stalls, the risk of displacement is growing. According to a recent Department of Angels survey, more than 22% of fire survivors have already lost housing support, with another 24% expected to lose it within the year. Santana stressed the gravity of the situation: “People are just trying to survive… There are people today who are unhoused as a result of the fire, and that number is going to grow.”
Miguel Santana’s keynote address at the Pasadena mayor’s prayer breakfast drew coverage from various media. The stories reported that CCF redistributed $30 million in rapid support funds to fire survivors within 30 days, ultimately raised $100 million from 50,000 donors worldwide and provided grants for healing and restoration.
Numerous media outlets covered the 15-month Department of Angels survey, quoting CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana. Major findings from the survey included that nearly half of wildfire survivors will soon, or already have, run out of temporary housing insurance before they can rebuild or move home, and homeowners are facing an average gap of more than $600,000 between insurance payouts and actual rebuilding costs. This is “a fragile moment for survivors,” Department of Angels co-founders Evan Spiegel and Miguel Santana wrote in the report. “As gaps in family budgets widen, confidence is wavering, raising important questions about who will recover and under what conditions.” Palisades News; CBS
Politico and other media quoted Miguel Santana about his leadership in advocating for ways to mend, not end, Measure ULA, the 2022 ballot measure that implemented an extra 4% tax on the sales of high-dollar real estate transactions to raise funds for affordable housing. Santana said research suggested that the measure, which CCF supported, has stymied housing development and that some reforms were needed. “I have a greater sense of responsibility to be honest about the unintended consequences and to use our ability to advocate for changes,” he said.
Miguel Santana was quoted by numerous media reflecting on a recent report highlighting a continued decline in quality of life across Los Angeles County. According to 11th annual Quality of Life Index, a project in partnership with CCF and UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, satisfaction among Angelinos has fallen to its lowest point since the survey began in 2016. “The (index) captures both the hope and the challenges in Los Angeles,” Santana said. “Through our partnership with UCLA Luskin over the next decade, we can better understand the region — and what it takes to ensure a good life is within reach for all.” KTLA; CBS
Numerous media covered a story highlighting senior wildfire survivors who have received critical support, including direct cash assistance, thanks to a partnership between the California Community Foundation and Pasadena Village. “The Village has offered me unbelievable support. While most people needed computers and electronics, I needed saws and hand and power tools to rebuild my storage shed,” said grant recipient John Jackson, an 80-year-old Altadena resident, who lost his home of 50 years in the Eaton Fire. Pasadena Now; ColoradoBlvd.net; PasadenaMag.com