Where Did the $100 million Fire Aid Money Go?

Altadena fire destruction (Photo – Melissa Michelson) Money (Photo – Public domain)

FireAid LA has been under scrutiny about how the $100M it raised was dispersed to help Altadena and Pacific Palisades fire survivors. A breakdown of which organizations received how much for what purpose is now available.

By Melissa Michelson

According to their website, FireAid, a 501(c) (3) non-profit, is “Guided by the principle that every dollar raised goes directly to survivors” and FireAid “partners with frontline nonprofits to deliver essential services and lasting recovery.” A February 18 post on their Instagram reiterates that their “initial phase of gifting prioritized grassroots, community-based organizations that are on the front lines of wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts. These organizations possess the infrastructure, experience, and relationships necessary to efficiently and equitably deliver assistance to fire-impacted individuals.”

Where the $100M came from

On January 30, 2025, two concerts were held with headliners like Lady Gaga, Katy Pery, No Doubt, Rod Steward, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchel, Sting and more.

“Together, we raised an estimated $100 million that have been designated for direct relief and will not be used for administrative purposes,” says FireAid LA website.

According to FireAid LA’s “progress report” posted on its website, the bulk of the $100M was raised from corporate sponsors ($44M+), ticket sales and live broadcast/video on demand donations ($14M+ each), as well as $14M+ in matching funds from former CEO of Microsoft Steve Ballmer though his and his wife’s philanthropic organization.

Where the first two rounds of dispersals ($75 million) went

172 non-profit organizations serving both Palisades and Altadena were awarded the first two rounds of funding. Seventeen organizations, like My Tribe Rise, received grants in both rounds. 77% of the 172 organizations received grants ranging from $75,000 to $300,000, while the rest received more.

Some organizations local to Pasadena-Altadena include:

• Altadena Community Garden ($100k)
• Altadena Rotary Charities ($100k)
• Armory Center for the Arts ($100k)
• Friends In Deed ($100k)
• My Tribe Rise ($400k)
• Pasadena Senior Center ($250k)
• Pasadena Community College Foundation ($500k)
• Pacific Oaks College ($250k)
• Pasadena Humane Society ($250k)
• Mark’s School ($100k)
• Religious groups like First AME Church, Victory Bible Church, Pasadena Church, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Pasadena Seventh Day Adventists (each $100k)

Self-Reported Use of Grants

Through mid-May, 83 non-profit grant recipients have reported how they have spent the grant funding.

As of April 24, Families Forward Learning Center out of Pasadena reported spending half of its $100k grant on “gift cards, rent relief, essential furnishings, and other urgent needs.”

Dena Heals reports spending its entire $100k grant providing “more than 6,000 directly impacted individuals-including over 1,257 families-with free, trauma-informed services, health screenings, holistic healing programs as well as brand-new, personalized essential items such as apparel, footwear, and personal care products, all at no cost.”

The Brotherhood Crusade reported spending 65% of its $250k award through April 21. In addition to planning on giving 19 families Fiat 500 vehicles, it is donating $4000 to individuals and $20,000 to families, per year.

The Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena received $100k and wrote it awarded scholarships to help 108 “fire-affected families” so that their children can attend BGCP for free.

On April 22, 2025, Greenline Housing Foundation, a Community Land Trust, reported it spent 100% of its $150k grant. “We have awarded $335,000 in long-term temporary housing assistance grants for one year, to 16 homeowner families (multiple people in each family) who lost their home in the Eaton fire. The $150,000 grant received from FireAid is included in this number. We have received 263 intake forms from people who are in need of the housing assistance we are offering for long-term temporary housing and/or rebuilding assistance. Our goal is to help at least 50 families by covering their rent for a year AND filling any gaps for rebuilding costs but can only do so with additional funds.”

Final self-reporting from all recipient organizations are due by the end of the year.

Third and final round underway ($25 million)

There is currently a link on FireAidLA’s website for 501c3 non-profits to apply for Round 3 grants. Unlike with Round 1 and 2, neither the website nor the application form describe the focus for Round 3 grant dispersals.

FireAid and public scrutiny

FireAid has five board members, including CEO of Kaiser Foundation, an executive for the LA Clippers, a former ambassador to the Bahamas, and real estate billionaire Rick Caruso, who lost his LA mayoral race in 2022 to Karen Bass and has been openly critical of her fire response.

Since the benefit concert, the public has been critical of FireAid and has taken to social media to demand answers. For example, on a February 18, 2025 “Answering your Questions” Instagram post, citizenbong writes: “Still have yet to hear of anyone who has received any direct funding from fire aid. I personally have tried to contact organizations listed on your page and they have either not replied or have no support to offer.” Many asked how to apply for the grants on direct financial support.

FireAid’s Instagram posts have had comments turned off since at least July.

On July 23, 2025, Congressman Kevin Kiley out of northern California called on the US Attorney General to open an investigation into FireAid Funds.

On September 8, 2025 an independent report was published and posted on FireAid’s site. It concludes, “To date, we have not identified any evidence of misconduct, including any intent to deceive donors or to misappropriate funds for any purpose, nor have we identified any evidence of deviation from FireAid’s stated purpose.” And “we have not identified any evidence that FireAid or its personnel made misrepresentations regarding the intended use of funds.”

On September 9, 2025, FireAid released its expenditure documents “with more to come.” Likewise, Northern California Congressman Kevin Kiley’s website states, “Additional documents, including grant applications, will be posted in the coming days following the redaction of personal information.” Excel spreadsheets of Round 1 and 2 grantees and short descriptions of how they have spent their grants are also on Kiley’s webpage.