While the first week of 2025 will be remembered for catastrophic wildfires, powered by historic, hurricane-force winds, the month since has galvanized the Los Angeles region, and our nation, to respond and support our communities in crisis.
We’re writing today to share our glimpse of the tireless work to bring immediate relief to the most impacted and how the Annenberg Foundation is supporting these efforts. We know there is a long road ahead, but recent efforts ranging from the FireAid concerts to nonprofits and first responders on the ground have been truly inspiring displays of generosity, compassion and resilience.
FireAid Concert Benefit
We are honored that the Annenberg Foundation was asked – shortly after January 7 – to bring its expertise, deep knowledge of Los Angeles, and impactful body of philanthropic work to the FireAid Concert Benefit Grants Advisory Committee process.
- The FireAid Grants Advisory Committee is identifying community-based organizations and nonprofits to deploy funds to fire victims and fire-affected areas in need efficiently and equitably.
- The Committee is in constant touch with community nonprofits and first responders on the ground, researching previous disasters and assessing gaps in local resources to ensure the money raised at FireAid has the greatest impact on short term relief and long-term recovery efforts.
- The first phase of grants is expected to be awarded by the FireAid Board of Directors in mid-February. A list of organizations and nonprofits who receive FireAid money will be available.
- For more information on FireAid, click here.
Annenberg Foundation Fire Relief Grants to Nonprofits in Los Angeles
Since the fires began January 7, the Annenberg Foundation led by Chair Wallis Annenberg and its Directors Lauren Bon, Charles Annenberg Weingarten and Gregory Weingarten, with the Foundation’s community grantmaking team has committed and begun to pay $3.175 million to more than 50 nonprofit community partners.
The nonprofits supported by Annenberg grants provide services for the most vulnerable — including the elderly, children and families, foster youth, pets and those who already were experiencing homelessness. Annenberg’s grants importantly help ensure that displaced day, domestic and outdoor workers whose livelihoods have been upended also are able to receive direct cash assistance or essential items and food.
Some examples of assistance include distributing food, gas and gift cards, hygiene kits, clothes and shoes; mobilizing meals and volunteers; performing wellness calls on affected seniors; providing trauma-informed childcare and youth camps to support families; direct cash assistance to outdoor workers; connection to hotel/motel vouchers and shelter services, and relocating and caring for rescued pets and horses.
Supporting First Responders
As a longtime supporter of our heroes at the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, we anticipated LAFD would immediately need extra equipment and partnered with the Wasserman Foundation to execute a $1-million grant soon after the fires began. This enabled the acquisition of essential gear: emergency shelters, hydration backpacks, wildland brush tools and other critical supplies.
Working to Counter Despair
In the days following the fires’ outbreak, the need to preserve and offer a sense of community at a time when thousands were experiencing despair and displacement was evident. Annenberg produced an event modeled after “Club Quarantine,” enlisting its creator, Derrick “D-Nice” Jones, and musician and tech founder will.i.am to help produce a livestream with uplifting music that also could raise awareness and money for organizations on the front lines. The result, called “LA Check In,” streamed January 16 and 17. People tuning in via Instagram live and YouTube donated $267,000, with 60 percent of donations pouring in from outside California incentivized by five- and six-figure matches from R & S Kayne Foundation and will.i.am, respectively. This money went to 12 nonprofits who provide direct aid and support to vulnerable evacuees and first responders.
Fire Relief Resources
Partnering with the R & S Kayne Foundation, we provided support for the L.A. Disaster Relief Navigator (wildfires.betterangels.la), which can help individuals and families identify potential support and form a plan to access resources.
Here are some additional resources:
If you lost work: opportunity.lacounty.gov/worker-relief-fund
If you lost your small business: opportunity.lacounty.gov/small-business-fund
Thank you for your support. Please reach out to us with any questions or ideas, and please be safe and well.
