California Wildfire Recovery and Response

Often when a disaster strikes outside of our region - either in the US or internationally - community members will reach out to us to find out the best way to support relief and recovery efforts.

Wildfires have devastated parts of the Los Angeles area. As always, national organizations, such as the Red Cross, will be working in these areas in the coming days and weeks. They are doing important work, and donors are welcome to give to them.

At the same time, when the disaster response period is over, those organizations the donations don't remain in the impacted communities. It goes to the organizations' national funds to support other disasters around the country.

One way people can support local communities is by giving to local community foundations and organizations that support both immediate response and long-term recovery.

The following foundations are active in supporting wildfire relief efforts, and donations can be made to their funds.

• The Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund supports communities through this critical period with both intermediate recovery and long-term resilience. The foundation aims to rebuild and restore the lives of California’s most affected and underserved populations. Additionally, the organization collaborates with local foundations and nonprofits that provide emergency aid to wildfire survivors and first responders, bridging financial gaps to ensure continued support.
• The California Fire Foundation provides critical support to surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they serve. Donations will help commemorate fallen heroes, offer scholarships to children of fallen firefighters, provide aid to victims of fire or other natural disaster, and provide fire safety resources to underserved communities across California.