The PLUS1 LA Fires Fund is designed to provide critical resources to the organizations working tirelessly to support others. In the immediate term, the Fund will help local nonprofits offering shelter and care to those who have lost their homes, including PPE to prevent smoke inhalation, food, clothing, diapers, formula, hygiene items, and mental health support to help those coping with trauma. Over the long term, the Fund will support efforts to help individuals, families, communities, and the environment rebuild and recover from these devastating losses. Examples of beneficiary organizations, which you can also donate to directly, are listed below.
We’re thinking of all our friends and neighbors in Los Angeles and hoping for your safety during this incredibly difficult time. As many of you know, the PLUS1 U.S. headquarters is located in Pasadena, California, an area that has been evacuated due to the proximity of the Eaton Canyon fire. We also know that many of you have been impacted by the fires that have devastated communities throughout the Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, Hollywood, and across Los Angeles.
LA holds a special place in the hearts of many within our PLUS1 community, and we know that those who have lived, worked, been inspired by, or enjoyed unforgettable experiences in the city are eager to offer their support.
Our colleague, Kathryn Schotthoefer, who is on-site in LA, shares:
“The first responders are doing an incredible job. Local nonprofits are on the front lines, operating shelters, providing food, supplies, hygiene items, and temporary placements for pets. With schools closed across the city, programs supporting children are overwhelmed. I spoke with the director of our local Boys & Girls Club a few minutes ago, and they are caring for over 100 children daily, a 300% increase over their usual numbers. At present, the immediate needs from these organizations are simple but vital—PPE, meals, clothing, hygiene products. In the coming weeks, attention will shift to long-term needs, including housing, mental health support, and rebuilding efforts. On all sides of the city, countless individuals and organizations have stepped up to serve their neighbors, and I couldn’t be prouder to be an Angeleno in this moment.”
Stay safe, friends in LA.
Organizations Providing Immediate and Longer Term Relief:
EMERGENCY RELIEF SERVICES
• ActiveSGV: ActiveSGV is currently coordinating a donation center to provide relief to those affected by the fires. They are collecting essential supplies that will be distributed directly to relief centers across the affected areas.
• AmericaresAmericares is responding to the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles with medicines and medical supplies.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA)Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) has opened their doors and waived registration fees during this time so that all kids in need have a safe place to go.
• CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation: The CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation provides funding for firefighters and their families to help them recover from injuries and hardship. The organization also helps support burn victims and their families, along with research focused on firefighter health and safety.
• California Fire Foundation: The California Fire Foundation provides critical support to surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve. They are currently supporting some of the 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel on the ground right now.
• Communities for a Better EnvironmentThe mission of CBE is to build people’s power in California’s communities of color and low income communities to achieve environmental health and justice by preventing and reducing pollution and building green, healthy and sustainable communities and environments. They are currently working within the areas affected by the LA fires to provide personal protective equipment to those who need it.
• Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE): 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.
• Families Forward: Families Forward Learning Center is supporting wildfire relief efforts by providing essential resources, educational programs, and wraparound services to families impacted by the devastating fires.
• Friends in Deed: Friends in Deed is accepting donations to support its efforts to help homeless and at-risk neighbors. This organization has set up an adults-only shelter at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pasadena, to provide aid and support to residents affected by the fires.
• Greater Good MusicGreater Good Music is working with the LA Dream Center to bring emergency supplies to fire victims in shelters and drive-thru grab bags for people in cars.
• League of California Community Foundations: The League of California Community Foundations, a coalition of the state's nonprofits, is coordinating relief efforts for people affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Funds raised will help rebuild homes, restore lost belongings, and provide support services such as mental health management.
• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: The LAFD Foundation is actively seeking funds to equip their members battling wildfires with equipment and supplies such as: emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks, and wildland brush tools.
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is working with government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to respond to the disaster. The food bank is accepting donations of both money and food at its two distribution centers, as well as additional help from volunteers.
• Union Station Homeless Services: Union Station Homeless Services has had to evacuate seven sites within the emergency evacuation zones and are urgently working to provide essential support to those affected.
• World Central Kitchen: World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Their teams have mobilized across the region to provide immediate relief, including working with restaurant and food truck partners to provide comforting meals.
• Yes We Can FoundationYes We Can Foundation is focused on an intermediate term plan that will allow them to operate a distribution center, as well as applying their mobile schools model to operate free daycare for families who have lost their homes and will either be seeking homes or employment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY
• California Native Plant Society: The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) plays a crucial role in wildfire recovery and resilience efforts across the state. Their multifaceted approach includes providing a comprehensive Fire Recovery Guide for property owners, organizing the citizen science Fire Followers campaign to track post-fire plant recovery, and offering extensive educational resources on fire ecology and native plant relationships with wildfires.
• One Tree Planted: One Tree Planted is committed to wildfire relief efforts through its extensive reforestation initiatives aimed at restoring ecosystems affected by wildfires. The organization has established a Forest Fire Recovery Fund specifically to support areas devastated by fires, promoting healthy ecosystem recovery and resilience.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
• Didi Hirsch: Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is providing mental health services to those affected in the LA area, including a free Disaster Distress Helpline.
• MusiCares: MusiCares is continuing to provide their mental and physical health care services for professionals in the music industry in the midst of the on-going wildfires in Los Angeles.
• NAMI Greater Los Angeles: NAMI GLAC's Connect with Hope Warmline is open for LA county residents who need someone to talk to during this difficult time.
• Sweet Relief Musicians Fund: Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, the non-profit helping musicians and music industry workers in need, has launched a natural disaster relief fund for those in Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas. Applications are also open for those seeking relief, with funds raised going toward loss of music-related equipment, medical bills related to the fires and other vital living expenses.
PET/ANIMAL CARE
• Best Friends Animal SocietyBest Friends’ emergency response team is on the ground in Los Angeles, offering help and support to other local animal welfare organizations while also working to ensure the safety of our own pets and staff in our Pet Adoption Center.
• Canine Rescue Club: The Canine Rescue Club is a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home. The club is looking for and deploying volunteers to offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires.
• Wags & Walks LA: Walks & Wags LA is working to ensure pets stay safe in the midst of the on-going wildfires, including providing resources and connections for fostering and care.
