Of the approximately $100 million that was raised by the all-star FireAid concerts and webcast on Jan. 30, about half of that amount — $50 million — has now been earmarked for distribution to fire relief organizations and other charities, FireAid organizers announced Tuesday.
The announcement from the Azoff Company (which booked and produced the event) and Intuit Dome and Kia Forum (which hosted the concerts) said that “this initial phase of gifting prioritizes community-based organizations that are on the front lines of wildfire relief. The selected organizations have the infrastructure, experience and relationships necessary to efficiently and equitably deliver assistance to fire-impacted individuals and have each received $100,000 or more.”
As for the other $50 million, the announcement said: “Rebuilding efforts will be the focus for FireAid phase two grants. … Phase two funding will focus on additional relief needs including sustaining long-term recovery, remediation and rebuilding, and further address environmental issues. Survivors of prior megafires and experts with whom FireAid consulted emphasized how crucial it is to reserve funds for unanticipated needs raised by communities, and to be both responsive and flexible, in planning for all phases of recovery.”
FireAid further announced that the $50 million in grants revealed Tuesday should all be doled out to the newly named recipients by the end of February.
FireAids is also establishing a program designed to bestow smaller grants to community-based organizations, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Community orgs wishing to apply for those smaller grounds can find information at FireAidLA.org.
The full list of recipients of the first $50 million in grants can be found here. They are divided into 10 categories, including children and families; community hubs and conveners; disaster relief; food access and security; frontline and displaced workers and small businesses; health and housing; musicians and artists; public resources and benefits navigation; students and schools; and supportive services to vulnerable populations.
The long list of recipients named under those umbrellas, all getting at least $100,000 in aid, include such orgs as the Boys & Girls Clubs of both Malibu and Pasadena, CA Firefighters Benevolent Fund, MusiCares Foundation, the Pasadena Humane Assocation, the YWCA of San Gabriel Valley, LA County Household Relief Fund, CA Conservation Corps, Project Angel Food, LA Region Worker Relief Fund, LA Region Small Business Relief Fund, LA Family Housing Corporation, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Legal Aid of LA, LAUSD Foundation, Palisades Charter HS, Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles, Malibu Senior Center, Pasadena Senior Center, the Disability Community Resources Center, First AME Pasadena, Masjid al Taqwa, Abundant Harvest LIFT, Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades, NAACP of Pasadena, Meals on Wheels, St. Joseph Center and dozens more.
The Jan. 30 concert, presented globally as one stream from alternating stages at two arenas in Inglewood, Calif., included musical performances from such artists as Billie Eilish and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong (pictured above in a duet) and Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Gracie Abrams, No Doubt, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, Jelly Roll, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Anderson .Paak, Dr. Dre, John Mayer, Pink, Stephen Stills, Dawes and many more.
As previously announced, FireAid and its streaming partners — including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, iHeart, KTLA+, Max, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock/NBCNewsNow, Sirius XM, TikTok, Veeps and YouTube— extended on-demand access to the concert for a year. Fundraising efforts to support wildfire relief continue, via FireAidLA.org, and additionally, Connie and Steve Ballmer will continue to match every donation, dollar for dollar.
