2023 California Disaster Response

Philanthropy California is an alliance of Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties. We partner with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) to support immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts. Philanthropy California monitors wildfires & natural hazard events and provides individual and institutional funders with vetted funds, resources, and events on this response page.

Philanthropy California is deploying its deep work in disaster resilience efforts toward:

Publicizing trusted funds for place-based relief and recovery
Prioritizing funds that support marginalized or under-resourced communities
Sharing emerging issues, and where funders can make the most of their contributions
Advising how best to meet short and long-term recovery needs
Connecting funders, government partners, and organizations active in responding to disasters
Supporting funders with tools, connections, and expertise

Philanthropy California does not:

Directly connect community-based organizations to funders
Provide general public information on wildfire or natural hazard events. For more information on active wildfires/hazard events or emergency response efforts please visit the CalOES webpage or the California Resiliency Alliance (CRA) wildfire quick-links
Direct fire or disaster -impacted individuals to resources. If you have been affected by a recent wildfire in California you can call 211 for information on where to find help locally

Please visit our government & non-profit partner websites, California Resiliency Alliance, CalVolunteers and CalOES, for more information about how you can help, as well as how to prepare for and recover from wildfires and other natural hazards.

If you have questions about Philanthropy California's wildfire response, please contact:

Alan Kwok, Director of Climate and Disaster Resilience (akwok@ncg.org) or Katie Oran, Climate and Disaster Resilience Fellow (kaoran@ncg.org).

Philanthropy California believes that, in addition to funding immediate and long-term recovery efforts, it’s essential for funders to support building long lasting wildfire & disaster resilience. For every dollar spent on building disaster resilience, communities save six on wildfire recovery costs. If you are a funder interested in supporting wildfire & disaster resilience efforts across the state get in touch with us!

The Philanthropy California team has vetted the list below to help you direct resources to funds supporting non-profits active in place-based relief and recovery efforts with a special focus on supporting communities facing structural impediments. Additionally some funds specifically support long-term resilience building & recovery efforts, which provide support for communities recovering in the years after a wildfire event.

You can filter funds based on region to view locally established wildfire relief/recovery funds, or you can support statewide funds that re-distribute money to fire-affected communities.

Central Valley Community Foundation: CVCF Disaster Relief Recovery Resiliency Fund

This fund supports the relief, recovery, and resilience for natural hazard events in communities across the state of California, specifically in the Central Valley. We work closely with partners on the ground to ensure each dollar is used as effectively as possible.

VISIT FUND

Community Foundation for Monterey County: Monterey County Storm Relief Fund

This winter’s heavy rains have caused widespread destruction and hardship for many Monterey County residents and their families. Multiple areas are under evacuation warnings or orders due to heavy rains, toppled trees, power outages and flooding along the Pajaro, Salinas and Carmel Rivers among others. People are in need of food, housing, and immediate assistance. Floodwaters will recede and residents will also need cleanup and recovery assistance. The CFMC has created the Monterey County Storm Relief Fund to raise funds to provide relief for affected individuals and families. Donations to the fund will provide emergency assistance and relief through local nonprofits for needs including food, emergency shelter, financial assistance to those evacuated, support for first responders, as well as recovery efforts.

VISIT FUND

Community Foundation for San Benito County: Disaster Recovery Fund

In light of the current flooding disaster in the County, the Community Foundation for San Benito County has opened a Disaster Recovery Fund to aid community members experiencing hardships related to the storm conditions and flooding. This fund was established to help victims of flooding, and other natural disasters, in San Benito County.

VISIT FUND

Community Foundation of Mendocino County: Disaster Fund for Mendocino County

To make grants to first-responders to repair immediate damage to their facilities and equipment and/or to enable them to resume their service delivery and provide emergency relief/recovery services to victims in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster. To make grants to family resource centers, senior centers and other non-profits to repair immediate damage to their facilities and/or to enable them to resume their service delivery and provide emergency financial aid to natural disaster victims.

VISIT FUND

Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo: Disaster Support Fund

The Community Foundation has a Disaster Support Fund to assist communities affected by natural disasters or pandemics. Donations to the fund will provide both immediate relief and support rebuilding and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the recent devastation. Grants from the fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and organizations directly assisting individuals to meet needs as they arise and to deploy resources where they are most needed. The Community Foundation has waived all administrative fees so 100% of donations will be used for grantmaking.

VISIT FUND

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County: Disaster Fund

The Santa Cruz County Disaster Fund is dedicated to supporting residents impacted by floods, wildfires, earthquakes and other local disasters. Contributions to this fund will be disbursed as grants to support trusted local nonprofit organizations working on the front lines of disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. Your support will help benefit those most affected and offer ready resources to organizations responding to local needs. This fund has been activated to respond to the flooding in the Pajaro Valley and San Lorenzo Valley in December 2022 and January 2023.

VISIT FUND

Humboldt Area Foundation & Wild Rivers Community Foundation: Disaster Response & Resilience Fund

The Disaster Response & Resilience Fund supports residents of Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Curry counties, as well as adjoining Tribal lands during current and future disasters, including fires, earthquakes, flooding, and other natural and man-made disasters. Grants are made to nonprofit agencies, public benefit organizations (schools, government agencies, federally recognized Tribes, etc.), charitable organizations and groups with a qualified fiscal sponsor. There is no written application process, and we strive to have funds in place for both immediate disaster response and to help communities become more resilient in the face of future disasters.

VISIT FUND

League of California Community Foundations: Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Fund

The League of California Community Foundations has established a fund to provide a centralized opportunity for funders to invest in disaster resilience and response through community foundations – trusted intermediaries who are deeply connected to affected communities. The Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Fund will support the response to, recovery from, and resilience to natural hazard events for communities across the state of California. A key focus area of the fund is supporting resilience through disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness, in addition to disaster relief and recovery.

VISIT FUND

INDIVIDUAL DONORS CONTRIBUTE HERE

Sacramento Region Community Foundation: Sacramento Region Disaster Relief Fund

When local emergencies or crises occur, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation is equipped to respond. Paired with our team's community knowledge and lasting relationships with the organizations that make an impact in the capital region, we quickly activate gifts to the Sacramento Region Disaster Relief Fund to help during times of crisis — so our community can have a successful recovery.

VISIT FUND

Santa Barbara Foundation: Community Disaster Relief Fund

Our communities in Santa Barbara County have proven time and again to be resilient in times of disaster. The Community Disaster Relief Fund was created to support our county during times of crisis, and has previously been activated to respond to disasters such as the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our role as a community foundation is to be responsive to emerging needs in our community. As such, we are closely monitoring the needs of our social sector partners and neighbors in response to recent flooding in Santa Barbara County.

VISIT FUND

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Flicker Fund

The Flicker Fund provides crisis relief, climate fire response, and is designed for emergency response. The Flicker Fund directs support basic and urgent health and wellness needs of the most vulnerable with a focus on elders, multi-generational households and families with children; engage with traditional healing practices and remedies, food systems and immune support; and amplify historic and cultural teachings, stories and lifeways that advance traditional knowledge systems informing community members on health, healing and moving forward with vitality.

VISIT FUND

Silicon Valley Community Foundation: SVCF Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund

This 10-county fund provides flexible resources and focuses on community relief and recovery needs for current and future disasters. Depending on the nature of the emergency or disaster, needs could include shelter, food, financial assistance and other services as they are needed. The fund is designed to provide a continued, flexible source of funding, so that we may respond to our communities' immediate needs in times of emergency, assist in building community resilience, and be prepared to act quickly when future disasters occur. Grants disbursed by the fund will prioritize support for those most in need and facing the harshest circumstances.

VISIT FUND

Three Valleys Community Foundation: Sunol Relief and Recovery Fund

The Sunol Relief and Recovery Fund will support the long-term needs of the Sunol Glen School, local businesses and community residents, following the unprecedented early 2023 rains and flooding that hit the greater SF Bay Area.

VISIT FUND

United Way of Merced County: United Way of Merced County Relief

There have been many Merced County residents evacuated from their homes due to the severe flooding brought by the storm hitting California. Their homes, belongings, and communities submerged underwater. The County of Merced, the City of Merced, United Way of Merced, and many other organizations across the county are asking for your help to raise money to help our neighbors in their time of need. The donations in this fund will be used to assist the Merced County communities impacted by the flood.
Please help donate today! All your donations are extremely helpful and 100% of your contribution will go towards helping the Merced County communities recover from this disaster.

VISIT FUND

United Way of Northern California: Wildfire Recovery and Disaster Relief

UWNC is currently supporting residents impacted by the recent storms. Funds will go to support United Way's disaster work in its nine-county service area. Supported programs of the campaign include UWNC’s RV assistance program, the Stable Housing Opportunities Program (SHOP), the Unmet Needs Roundtable, the 2-1-1 referral system, grants to community service providers, and mental health services for survivors.

United Way of Northern California is also involved in winter storm(s) and flooding relief.

VISIT FUND

United Way of the Wine Country: Emergency Readiness Fund

An integral part of United Way of the Wine Country’s mission to help families and individuals improve financial stability, donations made to the Emergency Readiness Fund are distributed as strategic grants to emergency readiness and response efforts across Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Grants are awarded primarily to nonprofits providing equitable access to information and resources including financial assistance before, during, or after an emergency. Emergencies range from fires, floods, wind events, power outages, and other natural and human-made disasters, including pandemics and industrial accidents along with associated economic impact.

VISIT FUND

Ventura Community Foundation: 805 Undocufund

Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are home to 126,000 undocumented residents – 10% of the region's population. The 805 UndocuFund was launched in 2018 with the belief that during the critical recovery period following a natural disaster, undocumented residents should not be excluded from emergency relief funding made available to all other residents. The 805 UndocuFund is a joint effort of immigrant-serving organizations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to provide disaster relief to local immigrant families. Direct financial assistance is to help with basic needs, such as covering the cost of childcare related to school closures, and rental assistance.

VISIT FUND

2-1-1

211 is a free information and referral service that connects people to health and human services in their community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 211 serves people of all income levels, languages and cultural backgrounds and is available to 96% of Californians and to 85% of U.S. households. 211 also plays a critical role in providing information and support in times of disaster, such as evacuation, shelter, food, medical and recovery information, and provides public officials with feedback from callers about changing conditions. 211 programs are supported by United Way, public and private funders, city and county agencies and more. California United Ways operate and/or provide major funding for 2-1-1 programs throughout the state.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) connects residents with a wide range of services and programs targeted specifically at those who have been affected by wildfires.

California Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD)

VOAD associations improve outcomes for people affected by disasters by facilitating cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration among nonprofit organizations, community-based groups, government agencies, and for-profit companies. Contact your local VOAD to learn how your organization can support disaster relief and recovery efforts.

California Resiliency Alliance (CRA)

The California Resiliency Alliance (CRA) is a 501C(3) non-profit sitting at the nexus between the public and private sectors facilitating cross-sector information sharing and partnerships to empower local and regional resilience. The CRA facilitates information sharing across public-private sectors and across industry sectors. For information on active wildfires visit CRA’s wildfire quick-links webpage

Disaster Relief Guide

You'll find support for business assistance, capital programs, cybersecurity for business, and additional resources.

Get Earthquake Alerts: MyShake

Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system providing California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake.

Guide to Disaster Assistance Services

The State of California’s Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians provides information on health, housing, emergency supplies, employment and other services available to all Californians, regardless of their immigration status.

National Weather Service

Provides information on weather conditions across the United States and California. Includes current active alerts, forecast maps, radar, rivers, lakes & rainfall information, air quality, satellite, and past weather data.

California Disaster Philanthropy Briefing: From Episodic Relief to Transformative Resilience

Virtual | Wednesday, January 18, 2023 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm PST

As California continues to experience repeated hazard events, it is not sustainable, nor realistic, to expect philanthropy to support individual, isolated disaster that occurs across the State at the scale needed for a resilient recovery. Join this briefing to learn how to center building community resilience as the highest priority for disaster philanthropy.

REGISTER

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