Tuesday, November 25, 2025

California Community Foundation Releases $6 Million in Fire-Related Grants

STAFF REPORT

The California Community Foundation awarded $6 million in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations who will provide direct assistance for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires, it was announced Tuesday.

Nearly a year after the fires, many survivors — particularly those with household incomes under $100,000 — are heading into the holidays with depleted savings, rising debt and growing concerns about affording essentials like food, according to foundation officials.

A recent survey conducted by the nonprofit Department of Angels found that 27% of those with incomes below $50,000 have had to cut back on food. Among those with incomes between $50,000 to $90,000, 22% have cut back on food.

“As we approach the holiday season, we are providing immediate relief as families struggle to meet their basic needs while also confronting the long road to rebuilding,” Miguel Santana, CEO and president of the foundation, said in a statement.

The foundation is expected to award grants to the following nonprofits:

• Altadena Chamber of Commerce
• The Change Reaction
• CORE Community Organized Relief Effort
• Eaton Fire Collaborative
• Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges
• Lift International
• Malibu Chamber of Commerce
• Malibu Community Long Term Recovery Group
• Pacific Palisades Long Term Recovery Group
• Pasadena Altadena Coalition of Transformative Leaders
• Pasadena Village
• Project Passion
• Villa Esperanza Services; and
• YMCA Metro LA.

Those organizations will determine the individual award amounts, according to foundation officials.

“On a daily basis, there are hundreds of thousands of people in the city who have their own personal fire that they’re trying to fight,” said Wade Trimmer, president of The Change Reaction, one of the organizations receiving a CCF grant.

“A car breaks down, or I can’t pay rent this month because my child was sick and I didn’t have enough sick time. All of these little things become really big things when you don’t have the financial resources to cover them,” Trimmer added.

The foundation’s efforts are guided by community input, as well as the most recent survey from the Department of Angels. The nonprofit was co- founded by Santana and Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap Inc., to empower survivors to advocate for recovery on their own terms.

Respondents of the survey noted the release of federal disaster recovery funds as a top priority for recovery along with fair insurance practices, rental assistance and mortgage relief, as well as contamination testing and remediation.

While philanthropy can provide emergency assistance, Santana urged large-scale investment from the federal government to get people back in their homes.