How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County
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Those looking to assist residents affected by the Los Angeles County firestorm have a number of options to donate money, materials or their time.
Communities in and around Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena and Pasadena are grappling with the devastation of the blazes, which collectively have scorched more than 37,000 acres and destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and other buildings.
State, regional and local grassroots organizations are collecting funds and recruiting volunteers to help those displaced or affected. There is also a call to support the Los Angeles Fire Department by donating to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
The foundation is seeking monetary donations to equip firefighters battling the wildfires with items including emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks and wildland brush tools. You can donate to the cause online.
You can also support regional and local organizations who are in need of funds, donations and volunteers.
This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.
This article is provided free of charge to help keep our community safe and supported during these devastating fires.
American Red Cross
What it does: The American Red Cross is working alongside its partners to provide shelter, food, emotional support and health services. There are already a number of ways to support the organization’s efforts.
How you can help: You can support the Red Cross by making a donation online, by calling (800) 733-2767 or texting REDCROSS to 90999.
If you wish to volunteer with the Red Cross, participants must go through training first, according to Mimi Teller, development communications manager for the Red Cross Los Angeles Region. You can register to become a volunteer online.
Local fire officials acknowledged Wednesday that they were overwhelmed by the power and size of the four major fires burning in Los Angeles County.
California Fire Foundation
What it does: The foundation is working with local fire agencies and community organizations to support residents impacted by the blazes.
How you can help: An online monetary donation to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund directly supports victims of wildfires and disasters throughout California, including the L.A. County area.
Canine Rescue Club
What it does: The Canine Rescue Club is a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home.
How you can help: The club is looking for volunteers to offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form.
Firefighters battling the Palisades fire dealt with hydrants that had little to no water flowing out. By 3 a.m. Wednesday, all hydrants ‘went dry,’ an LADWP official says.
GoFundMe
What it does: GoFundMe has created a centralized online hub housing all verified fundraising pages related to the wildfires. The hub will be updated with accounts as they are verified by the GoFundme team.
At the top of the hub is also GoFundMe’s Wildfire Relief Fund 2025.
How you can help: You can donate to the Wildfire Relief Fund. Monetary donations help deliver cash grants directly to those impacted by fires. The GoFundMe team identifies verified individuals who qualify and are fundraising either for themselves or on someone else’s behalf. The team may also provide grants to fundraisers benefiting small businesses and community relief efforts, or to vetted nonprofits coordinating long-term recovery.
You can also look through the verified fundraiser accounts on the hub and choose an account to help directly.
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Direct Relief
What it does: Direct Relief is a California-based disaster relief medical assistance organization. It’s currently working with the two Koreatown YMCA locations to hand out free N95 masks to residents affected by the harmful smoke.
How you can help: Those interested in supporting wildfire response efforts can donate to Direct Relief’s Wildfire Response Fund online. The donations directly benefit individuals impacted by the fires in Palisades, Altadena and across California providing critical aid where needed.
Salvation Army
What it does: The Salvation Army Southern California Division is working with government and non-government agencies to provide food, personal necessities and shelter to survivors and first responders, said Melinda Lankford, communications and marketing direction for organization’s Southern California Division.
What you can do: The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations through the Emergency Disaster Fund to help meet the urgent need across Southern California. Monetary donations to directly aid the region can be made online.
Checks can be mailed to “The Salvation Army - Disaster Relief” at P.O. Box 93002, Long Beach 90809-9355.
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Pasadena Humane
What it does: Pasadena Humane animal control officers assisted with animal evacuations while Pasadena Humane staff have been working at the shelter to help take in the animals of displaced families. The organization has taken in over 100 animals, including a pony, and are continuing to take in animals for emergency boarding.
What you can do: You can make a monetary donation online. The organization is also accepting donated items, including food and water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Donated items can be left in a donation bin in the front parking lot at 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena 91105.
California Community Foundation
What it does: The California Community Foundation distributes grants to affected communities through its Wildfire Recovery Fund. The foundation’s team utilizes data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index to ensure their grants target the neediest communities with both intermediate recovery and long-term support.
What you can do: You can make a donation online or by mailing a check to the “California Community Foundation” at 717 W. Temple St., Los Angeles 90012. Include “Wildfire Recovery Fund” in the memo.
Baby2Baby
What it does: Baby2Baby is providing critical items, including diapers, food, formula and hygiene products for children and families who have lost their homes to the fires.
How you can help: You can donate online to the orgnization’s Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Program.
World Central Kitchen
What it does: World Central Kitchen’s relief team is in Southern California to support first responders and families affected by the fires, providing nourishing meals to people in need.
How you can help: You can help by making an online donation.
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
What it does: CORE is deploying an emergency response team to support those where air quality is a major concern. It is supplying emergency go-bags, masks and other protective equipment while providing information about evacuations and shelter support.
How you can help: You can support CORE’s efforts by making an online donation.
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
What it does: The Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund is supporting firefighters who have suffered injuries while battling fires, including several who have lost their homes. The organization assists families of firefighters with financial, emotional and other support.
How you can help: You can support the organization’s efforts by making a monetary donation online, or using Paypal or Venmo.
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United Way of Greater Los Angeles
What it does: United Way focuses on longer-term recovery efforts to support members of the community and is currently working with community partners to assess the impact on the ground.
How you can help: The fund will support low-income individuals whose livelihood has been disrupted, people experiencing homelessness and disruptions to community organizations and small businesses. You can support these efforts by making an online monetary donation.
All Power Books
What it does: All Power Books collected supplies to support mutual aid organizations and opened its doors to people affected by the fires. The bookstore is temporarily closed to the public for wildfire relief efforts and is providing N95 masks and DIY air purifiers to those in need.
What you can do: All Power Books is volunteer-run and relies on donations to provide programs and services. Donations to support their efforts can made online.
Companies, businesses and nonprofits that are offering free supplies, resources and services to victims of the Los Angeles-area fires.
Bobbie
What it does: Bobbie, an organic baby formula company, is providing any parent affected by the fires — Bobbie customer or not — with free baby formula. It’s also donating 1,000 cans of formula to nonprofit and grassroots organizations who can immediately distribute donations to the ground.
How you can help: You can donate to Bobbie’s effort by making a monetary contribution online.
Musicares
What it does: Musicares, a nonprofit safety net of health and welfare services for the music community, is offering assistance to those in the music industry with five or more years experience, including $1,500 financial assistance and $500 food vouchers.
How you can help: You can contribute to Musicares efforts by making an online donation.
In Defense of Animals
What it does: In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization that is assisting with temporary housing of wild and domestic animals that evacuated along with their owners or lost their homes due to the fires. The organization is also providing resources such as veterinary supplies, food and water.
How you can help: You can contribute to the organization’s efforts by making an online monetary donation.
International Medical Corps
What it does: Headquartered in Los Angeles, International Medical Corps is delivering relief supplies—including hygiene kits and first-aid kits—to support affected communities affected by the fires, and will provide additional support and services to health facilities as needed.
How you can help: You can support their efforts by making a monetary donation online.
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Best Friends Animal Society
What it does: Best Friends Animal Society has two pet pantry locations in Los Angeles that can provide essential supplies including pet food, cat litter, pet beds and other necessary items, as well as human sanitary products.
How you can help: Those looking to contribute to the pantries can donate online. All funds go toward emergency assistance to pets impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donations to this fund are also directly supporting pet lifesaving work in the area.
The Foundation for California Community Colleges
What it does: The Foundation for California Community Colleges, in partnership with the California Community Colleges, provides each community college in an affected area with funds to be distributed as part of the Wildfire and Disaster Relief program.
How you can help: You can make an online monetary donation that provides emergency relief and support for recovery and rebuilding. Past recipients of donors’ support have used the funds to cover disaster-related needs, including relocation expenses, replacing laptops, transportation, food, supplies, and replacing clothes that were lost or destroyed during evacuations.
Westside Food Bank
What it does: Westside Food Bank is preparing for a recovery period that is just beginning. Its supply of food is low after a busy holiday season, and it is in need of support from the community to restock and distribute food to the tens of thousands more people who need help.
How you can help: You can make a monetary online donation to help restock the food bank’s shelves.
Much of Angeles National Forest reopened Thursday after a weeks-long closure because of wildfires and red flag warnings, but some beloved trails and campgrounds will remain inaccessible while the land recovers from the blazes.
AltaMed Foundation
What it does: AltaMed Health Services, one of the nation’s largest federally qualified health centers, has been directly affected by the Eaton fire, which destroyed its primary care clinic at 2661 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena. To support its patients and employees directly affected by the fire, the foundation has launched the AltaMed 2025 Fire Relief Fund.
How you can help: An online monetary donation will help cover the cost of services offered to evacuees at the Pasadena Convention Center and provide relief and support to patients, employees and community members who live in fire-stricken areas.
GiveDirectly
What it does: GiveDirectly targets and remotely sends cash to Los Angeles families on food stamps based on their ZIP Code.
How you can help: An online monetary donation provides low-income families with emergency cash that will help cover their immediate needs, including food, medicine, diapers, short-term lodging and bills.
Santa Monica College Foundation
What it does: The Santa Monica College Foundation has established the Santa Monica Community College Disaster Support Fund in hopes of raising at least $250,000 to help provide college students, faculty and staff with temporary housing, food, water, clothing, transportation, medical supplies, school materials and emergency funds.
What you can do: A monetary online donation supports the foundation’s efforts.
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California Restaurant Foundation
What it does: The California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurants Care has opened applications for its Los Angeles Fires 2025 Relief Grants. The grants are for food and beverage workers who have lost their homes and/or workplaces. Grants will range from $350 to $1,500 and be awarded based on need and available funding.
What you can do: You can help fund the California Restaurant Foundation’s grant program by making an online monetary donation.
UCLA
What it does: UCLA is supporting its students and educators with two emergency funds. The Economic Crisis Response Center is geared toward students, with funding supporting emergency housing, meal vouchers and additional campus resources. The UCLA Employee Relief Fund is designed to help those hit with unexpected financial expenses caused by the recent fires.
What you can do: If you’d like to support either effort, you can make a monetary donation online. The student fund can be found here and the employee fund can be found here.
LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund
What it does: The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund is for artists and arts workers in all disciplines who have lost their residences, studios or livelihoods, or have otherwise been affected by the fires. The fund will be administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation.
How you can help: If you would like to discuss a major gift to the fund, contact Emily Cregg at (310) 440-6049 or [email protected].
Nearly two weeks after the Eaton fire forced Claire Robinson to flee her Altadena home, she returned, donning a white hazmat suit, a respirator and goggles.
Boys & Girls Club of Malibu
What it does: In response to the Palisades fire, Boys & Girls Club of Malibu has reactivated its Emergency Relief Fund to provide direct financial assistance, essential supplies, mental health services and resource connections for residents facing home loss, displacement, or job loss.
How you can help: You can support the club’s efforts by making a monetary donation online. Your donation will go toward direct financial assistance to those who lost their homes or were otherwise affected by the fires; essentials such as clothing, food, water and toiletries, temporary housing and more.
Instacart Community Carts
What it does: Instacart launched an initiative, Community Carts, that delivers groceries and supplies to emergency centers in Los Angeles, specifically participating YMCA locations.
How you can help: You can donate essential items including canned food, hygiene products and baby formula through the app or online.
The Change Reaction
What it does: The Change Reaction has launched an emergency relief fund that will focus initially on supporting essential workers who lost their homes, including social workers, hospital workers and teachers. It will then direct funding toward families, small businesses and employees affected by the fires. Direct assistance grants of up to $5,000 will be available.
How you can help: You can support the organization’s efforts by making an online monetary donation.
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