Wildfire Recovery Fund

California’s wildfire season is increasingly more severe, with the state suffering through some of the largest, deadliest, and most destructive fires in the past 5 years. With the growing impact of climate change, wildfire seasons in the state are only expected to worsen. Additionally, marginalized communities, who are often hardest hit, face the most significant barriers to accessing relief and recovery resources. To address this, our team utilizes data from CalFire and the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, ensuring that CCF’s grantmaking targets the most underserved – and hard to reach – communities. By focusing on those most affected, we aim to support and advance long-term recovery efforts for Californians who need it most.

Recovery from natural disasters can span years, and communities can be left grappling with impacts long after media attention and initial funding has faded. CCF’s Wildfire Recovery Fund supports communities through this critical period with both intermediate recovery and long-term resilience. Our efforts aim to rebuild and restore the lives of California’s most affected and underserved populations. The fund has supported a diverse range of organizations addressing the needs of a diverse collection of communities including Native American, Muslim, migrant and non-native English-speaking communities, as well as food workers, individuals with disabilities, children and the elderly. Additionally, we collaborate with local foundations and nonprofit organizations that provide emergency aid to wildfire survivors and first responders, bridging financial gaps to ensure continued support. Since 2003, CCF’s Wildfire Recovery Fund has awarded over $32 million to support relief and recovery efforts.

While some Wildfire Recovery Fund grants are made directly to local organizations offering direct service, a large portion of grants each year go to local community foundations, which in turn provide grants to multiple partner organizations positioned in the communities they serve. Past grants have supported replacing and rebuilding homes for the displaced, and to restore lost belongings and/or employment. Resources have also gone to help provide support services including case management services, mental health services and financial assistance as well as to upgrade support services like 2-1-1 phone lines and information systems, follow-up medical care and supplies and updated safety equipment for first responders.

Thank you for joining us in this critical work.

To understand the impact of our past efforts and see how your contributions can make a difference, we invite you see a list of our past grantees here.

To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online, click on the button below. You may also send checks payable to the California Community Foundation, noting that the donation is for the Wildfire Recovery Fund. Checks should be mailed to:

California Community Foundation
717 W Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Donate Now

When supporting relief organizations, consider marking your gift as general operating support. By doing so, you enable the organization to both respond to current disasters and be prepared for those that may arise in the future. Learn more about how to maximize your impact when giving in times of crisis or disaster here.

DONOR FAQ

I would like to donate to the Wildfire Recovery Fund.
Monetary gifts can be made through our website or by check, stock or wire transfer. We do not accept in-kind donations or goods. CCF Fundholders can donate directly to the fund using DonorConnect.

Donate online here.
Mail checks to: California Community Foundation, 717 W Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90012. Include “Wildfire Recovery Fund” in the memo.

I would like to raise funds on behalf of the Wildfire Recovery Fund.
We will accept general donations but will not enter into any partnerships or Commercial Co-Venture Agreements.

I would like to inquire about gift matching for my company’s employee donations.
You may provide us with instructions on completing a matching form for any employees who have contributed. We will then verify the donation via the company’s own matching form/process.

I would like a copy of my donation tax receipt/acknowledgment letter.
Individuals that donate via credit card automatically receive an email acknowledgement from our web portal. Individuals sending a check, wire or stock gift will be mailed an acknowledgement within 1-2 weeks of receipt of their contribution.

I would like CCF to promote my donation on social media.
We cannot create content to promote your donation on our own social media channels, but you are welcome to tag @Calfund in your own personal social media posts.

RESOURCES FOR IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS
Although CCF does not provide direct funding to individuals, there are entities that do. If you have been impacted by a disaster, please reference the resources below:

State-wide

Los Angeles County