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:

  1. Directly connect community-based organizations to funders
  2. 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
  3. 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 disaster response, please contact: Katie Oran, Climate and Disaster Resilience Fellow ().

 

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 nonprofit and mutual aid funds supporting place-based relief and recovery efforts in Hawaii.

 

In addition to the funds below:

  • Join the Center for Disaster Philanthropy for a webinar on Thursday, August 17, at 4:00p Eastern / 10:00a Hawaiian. The briefing features panelists who will focus on the unique nature of island recovery—including Hawaii's ecology; the impact of losing such a critical, cultural, political, and economic engine; and lessons learned from wildlife recovery in other communities.

 

Aloha United Way: Maui Relief Fund

Donations will go directly to Maui United Way to support Maui victims

 

VISIT FUND

Hawaii People’s Fund: Maui Aloha: The Peopleʻs Response

Hawaiʻi People’s Fund stands in solidarity and full support with those individuals and organizations who have been working to upend and heal systems of oppression for over 50 years. Working in tandem with foundations and individual donors, Maui Aloha: The Peopleʻs Response is dedicated to moving crucial financial support to those directly impacted by the wildfires on Maui Island, providing a safe and trusted conduit to move kōkua quickly.
Funds raised through this effort will move critical resources to past, present, and future community partners committed to seeing our beloved community through this storm.

 

VISIT FUND

Maui Food Bank: Maui Food Bank Fund

With every $1 donated, the Maui Food Bank can provide 4 meals to the hungry living in our island community. Give now and together we can make a difference.

 

VISIT FUND

Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund

This fund helps donors make intelligent and impactful investments for communities in need.

 

VISIT FUND

Hawai’i Community Foundation: Maui Strong Fund

The Maui Strong Fund was created to provide community resilience with resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui.

 

VISIT FUND

Maui Just Recovery Fund

The Maui Just Recovery Fund, hosted by the Amalgamated Foundation, supports immediate relief efforts to house, feed and support displaced families and dedicate resources for the long term efforts to rebuild and advance structural change. Partners:

  • Our Hawai’i
  • ‘Āina Momona 
  • Funder Hui 
  • Kākoʻo Maui 
  • Hawaiʻi People's Fund 
  • Maui Mutual Aid
  • Onipa‘a Maui

This Fund is supported by Organizing Resilience, a project housed at the Amalgamated Foundation. If you would like to make a grant or a major gift, please contact jackie@organizingresilience.org

 

VISIT FUND

Maui Mutual Aid Fund

A local effort, the Maui Mutual Aid Fund is run by volunteers looking to get funds and support to vulnerable residents, such as kūpuna (elderly), those with physical disabilities, renters and individuals without insurance.

 

VISIT FUND

Maui United Way: Maui Fire and Disaster Relief

Maui United Way is stepping up to provide immediate support for local nonprofits offering disaster relief in the wake of recent events impacting Maui County.

 

VISIT FUND

Native Hawaiians in Philanthropy: Maui Families Impacted by Fire Fund

Native Hawaiians in Philanthropy provides services and support to native Hawiian communities in Maui and across Hawai’i. This fund will provide food, toiletries, and support services to those impacted, as well a support non-profits as they respond.

 

VISIT FUND

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA): Kākoʻo Maui Fund

Mahalo to Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies for helping to kickstart this campaign in support of our 'ohana impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui..Together we can make a difference. Let's rally around our community in this time of need. Your donation can help provide immediate relief to those affected by this tragedy. Your generosity will not only help them rebuild but also show the strength of our unity and aloha spirit. 100% of proceeds will go to Maui organizations to support relief efforts.

 

VISIT FUND

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.

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, the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year’s winter storms which caused major damage in North County and elsewhere.

 

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: NorCal Disaster Fund

United Way of Northern California is a trusted leader in disaster response, relief, and recovery, working with partner organizations across multiple sectors to meet the needs of communities impacted by disasters. UWNC is there every step along the journey, helping individuals and families return as close to their pre-disaster normal as possible and achieve long-term stability. We do this through various programs designed to help survivors move to the next phase in their recovery process.

 

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 County Community Foundation: Storm Fund

In partnership with Ventura County Emergency Management and the cities of Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme, the Ventura County Community Foundation is making an urgent appeal for assistance on behalf of the resilient residents who were devastated by the catastrophic floods that struck our communities in late December.  Over 400 homes, 50 of which saw water over 18 inches, have been damaged, with many destroyed.  Many of the affected residents are seniors living in low-income communities, most families have no insurance support, and FEMA assistance is not available. This fund will provide emergency financial assistance to the very low-income residents and families who have been severely impacted.  100% of each donation will be distributed directly to those in need. 

 

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.

 

Listos California Resource Hub

Listos California has free materials in many languages that you can use and share to promote disaster preparedness in your home and community.

 

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.

 

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