Unprecedented heat waves and drought have brought on an early wildfire season that has already devastated swaths of the West Coast. In California, wildfires have torn through more than 800,000 acres of land and counting, causing immeasurable loss to thousands of families and ravaging our delicate ecosystem. Below are organizations working to provide immediate relief and assistance to those affected by the California wildfires and support long-term resiliency efforts:
The Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund
The Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund, a sub-fund of the Almanor Foundation, provides emergency relief and support through grants to nonprofits and agencies primarily supporting Plumas County residents impacted by wildfires.
The California Fire Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program
The California Fire Foundation’s SAVE program is accepting donations to provide $250 gift cards to victims of the fires for clothes, food, medicine and other necessities. The program also offers scholarships to the children of fallen firefighters.
Common Good Community Foundation Dixie Fire Matching Fund
The Common Good Community Foundation has established a matching fund to assist all local communities impacted by the Dixie Fire. All donations to this fund will be matched up to a total of $10,000. All donations will be distributed to Plumas County agencies involved in directly assisting communities and individuals most affected by the fire. Donations can be made via the foundation’s website or by mail at: The Common Good Community Foundation, Dixie Fire Matching Fund, 364 Johnsville Road, Graeagle, CA 96103
CTA Disaster Relief Fund
The California Teachers Association’s disaster relief fund provides financial assistance to educators who are members of CTA who have been impacted by the Dixie Fire.
Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
The FAC network helps educate, support and connect people working toward fire resilience across the United States. Donations help fund forums, workshops and on-the-ground projects to give people tools to live in communities experiencing wildfires.
North Valley Community Foundation
North Valley Community Foundation is accepting donations for Dixie Fire relief efforts and has already issued $30,000 in grants, including to the Almanor Foundation. Drawing on its experience of relief and recovery work after the 2018 Camp Fire and the 2020 North Complex Fire, NVCF has quickly deployed donations from its Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund to help with Dixie Fire response.
Placer Community Foundation
Placer Community Foundation’s Nevada County Relief Fund supports Nevada County residents impacted by the River Fire. Contributions to the River Fire Fund will provide support for those affected and for recovery efforts. The foundation will work with local public officials to identify areas where philanthropy can have the greatest impact.
Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center
Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center provides homeless and temporary shelter services as well as mental health counseling services.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is working across the region to provide shelter, meals, medical support, and relief supplies to those affected by the fires. Donate to support its disaster relief efforts here. Find a list of open shelters in the region here.
The United Way of Northern California
The United Way of Northern California is accepting donations to help provide relief and recovery to those affected by the wildfires. Donations will help fund its 211-support line, which provides updated information on disasters, evacuation routes, shelters, food assistance and more.
Support for undocumented fire and disaster victims
Centro del Pueblo de Humboldt
Centro del Pueblo de Humboldt is an emergency relief stipend for families in Humboldt County that cannot receive unemployment benefits or receive an emergency relief stipend from the federal government. These families have felt all of the economic, emotional, and life- threatening effects from the pandemic and they deserve help during these times like all other community members. Centro del Pueblo de Humboldt works with partner organizations including Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People, Humboldt Area Foundation, California Kitchen, Cultures in Solidarity, Promotores and Paso a Paso.
NorCal Resist UndocuFund
NorCal Resist UndocuFund provides cash assistance to undocumented immigrants in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, Nevada, El Dorado, Amador, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, Butte, Yuba, Sutter, Plumas, Lassen, Sierra, and Shasta counties.
North Coast Opportunity
Grants will be made to provide those in Mendocino and Lake counties with basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, necessary household items, communication, sanitation, health, employment and education), services, emergency financial aid and other support to individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. North Coast Opportunity partners with Community Foundation of Mendocino County.
If you are a SVCF fundholder and wish to give through your advised fund, please contact your philanthropy advisor or email philanthropyteam@siliconvalleycf.org. Corporate partners of SVCF may also contact their philanthropy advisors directly.