Disaster Relief Bulletin: Supporting Southern California Wildfire Relief & Recovery

We are deeply saddened by the devastating impact of the Southern California wildfires. Bessemer Trust’s Philanthropy experts are coordinating with local leaders and philanthropic networks as the situation unfolds. Below please find a list of relief funds, local nonprofits, and live external databases that you can leverage to support Southern California. The Bessemer team will be available to answer additional questions or provide custom guidance for clients with more specific interests. Please contact your client advisor for further assistance. This resource is designed to complement guidance outlined in “A Closer Look: Giving Strategically After a Disaster,” and to assist those seeking to contribute in a meaningful way.

Relief Funds

Relief funds sponsored by intermediary organizations play an important role in disaster relief and recovery because they can quickly absorb and redeploy large sums of capital, due to their size. These entities have regranting capabilities, existing relationships with grassroots organizations, and tend to have strong ties to government officials and local philanthropic leadership, which allows them to coordinate more effectively and responsively.

• California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund leverages its local presence to identify and fund organizations whose services are most needed by affected communities statewide (EIN: 95-3510055).
• California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund collaborates with local fire agencies and community-based organizations to provide direct financial support to impacted residents in Los Angeles County (EIN: 68-0118991).
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy California Wildfires Recovery Fund supports communities across the state as they work to rebuild and recover from wildfires (EIN: 45-5257937).
• Direct Relief California Wildfire Response Fund provides N-95 masks, medicine, and other resources to healthcare agencies and first responders. All donations to the response fund will directly support those affected by fires in Palisades, Altadena, and across California (EIN: 95-1831116).
• Pasadena Community Foundation Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund provides immediate, flexible support to local nonprofit organizations responding to the Eaton Canyon fire (EIN: 20-0253310).
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund addresses urgent and ongoing needs, which include support for low-income individuals, people experiencing homelessness and those who provide services to support them, and disruptions to community organizations and small businesses (EIN: 95-2274801).

Nonprofit Organizations

*To direct your donation to relief and recovery from the Southern California wildfires, note the purpose of your gift in accompanying paperwork (e.g., donation form, grant letter, or grant recommendation form).

First Responders:

• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation equips LAFD members battling wildfires with tools and supplies (EIN: 27-2007326).

Food Support: 

• Project Angel Food serves individuals through its fire relief fund by delivering meals to clients near active fire zones, distributing emergency supplies, and making wellness calls to those impacted by fires (EIN: 95-4115863).
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank collaborates with partner agencies to provide food assistance to people in LA County, including those affected by the greater LA wildfires (EIN: 95-3135649).
• Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles engages volunteers to prepare and distribute high-quality meals throughout LA county to residents experiencing food insecurity (EIN: 84-4370166).

Humanitarian Aid:

• American Red Cross* provides shelter, food, water, health services, and emotional support to those impacted by wildfire activity in the Los Angeles region (EIN: 53-0196605).
• Dream Center Foundation offers shelter, meals, clothing, and crisis support to first responders and wildfire victims (EIN: 41-2269686).

Medical Services:

•  International Medical Corps^* provides hygiene kits, first aid supplies, and critical health care support for families and clinics overwhelmed by wildfires (EIN: 95-3949646).

Direct Assistance:

• GiveDirectly* executes emergency cash assistance to low-income families impacted by the fires. The organization targets, enrolls, and pays survivors fully remotely through Propel, an app used to manage food stamp benefits (EIN: 27-1661997).
• Hope the Mission provides verified fire victims with direct cash payments and vouchers valid at the organization’s various thrift stores through its fire relief fund (EIN: 27-2053273).
• Jewish Free Loan Association* offers zero-interest loans to people of all backgrounds to assist with emergency needs like temporary housing, transportation, and small business assistance (EIN: 95-1691014).

Children and Youth:

• Project Camp* supports children and families affected by disasters through free, trauma-informed “pop-up” day camps that offer children a safe space to play and process experiences, while providing parents with time to manage recovery efforts (EIN: 84-4640242).
• Baby2Baby* partners with organizations in LA County to fulfill requests for essential items for vulnerable children and families (EIN: 84-4640242).

Animal Rescue:

• Pasadena Humane Society provides emergency resources such as pain medications, wound care, and other essential supplies to animals affected by wildfires (EIN: 46-4503539).
• Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation rescues, shelters, and cares for animals displaced by the Southern California wildfires. All donations will go towards disaster response and to areas most in need (EIN: 95-3909782).

Emergency Management:

• Team Rubicon* works with local emergency managers and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners to provide effective assistance (EIN: 27-1720480).

Fire Prevention:

• California Fire Safe Council supports communities across the state in wildfire preparedness and resiliency through grant funding, programmatic support, and technical assistance (EIN: 75-3078419).

External Databases

Below are external resources curated by local leaders that are providing live, regularly updated information on volunteering and giving opportunities.

• California Volunteers is the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering, and civic action to combat pressing challenges while mobilizing all Californians to volunteer and serve in their communities. Find more information on opportunities for involvement, here.
• Philanthropy California is an alliance of Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties that partners with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to support immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts. Find more information on vetted fire relief funds, resources, and events, here.
• Volunteer Collective provides Los Angeles residents with volunteer opportunities by curating impactful nonprofits that support the unhoused, underserved youth, and those struggling economically. Find more information on fire relief volunteer opportunities, here.