FireAid Releases Additional Progress Report

Latham and Watkins Releases Investigative Report: Finds No Misuse of Funds, Strong Transparency, Accountability, and Real Impact for Communities Affected by Eaton, Palisades Fires.

FireAid Releases Additional Progress Report: Support from FireAid Benefit Has Reached Thousands, With More To Come:

LOS ANGELES, CA — September 8, 2025 — FireAid responded today to the release of an independent review by Latham & Watkins which confirmed FireAid has distributed funds in line with its mission with no misuse of funds. The law firm conducted an independent review of the charity, and shared conclusive findings affirming that FireAid has acted in accordance with mission, has strong accountability measures and aid is reaching affected communities. In addition to sharing the independent review, FireAid furthered their commitment to transparency, issuing a public-facing Progress Report that clearly documents where FireAid funds came from, where those funds were distributed and how those funds are helping to support fire survivors.

View Latham & Watkins Investigative Report, HERE, View FireAid Progress Report HERE.

“It is important the survivors and our LA community have real insight into how FireAid funds are supporting recovery. The Latham & Watkins Investigative Report affirms that FireAid’s grantmaking was transparent, mission-aligned, and impactful for fire-affected communities across Los Angeles. We remain committed to helping communities affected by the Eaton and Palisade Fires rebuild and recover, and providing transparent documentation of progress and impact.”

Among the key findings in the external report:

• No wrongdoing or misallocation of funds. Grants were distributed in line with FireAid’s mission and donor commitments. No dollars were spent on overhead, as promised by FireAid, with 100% of funds to date going to the community.
• Strong transparency and accountability safeguards. All grantees were vetted 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing, required to report on their use of FireAid funds.
• Significant community impact. FireAid-supported nonprofits delivered direct housing support, trauma counseling, childcare, legal services, food assistance, and in many cases, direct cash or voucher relief to fire survivors.

The Latham & Watkins Investigative Report highlights numerous examples of impact including the Change Reaction providing direct assistance totaling $1 million in aid, in the form of 197 direct cash grants to help people with rent, clothing, school supplies, furniture, food, and medication, among other needs.

The Latham & Watkins Investigative Report and the FireAid Progress Report provide information about each grantee who received funds, how much they received and what they are specifically doing with those funds in order to deliver support to the survivors in need. FireAid fully cooperated during the independent review process, providing access and documentation, and has taken the additional step of releasing a Progress Report providing the public with additional detail.

Importantly, in addition to documenting the impact of FireAid and sharing key findings, the Latham & Watkins Investigative Report addresses certain misinformation and questions about the role of FireAid. It makes clear that:

• As a 501(c)(3) formed immediately after the fires in order to provide urgently needed relief, FireAid was a benefit event designed to raise as much money as possible to support victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires.
• FireAid was not structured to be an entity capable of issuing payments directly from FireAid to individuals.
• As far back as in January, during the very first FireAid announcement, FireAid confirmed it would deliver aid to the people who needed it by partnering with trusted local nonprofits who have the capacity to reach the individuals in need.
• The selected non profits used the grants from FireAid and other donations to immediately provide individuals in need food security, housing, and resources for schools.
• In addition, a stipulation of the FireAid funds communicated to each grantee that not a single dollar was allowed to be spent on administrative costs to ensure maximum benefit.

Since its launch in the days following the fires, FireAid raised approximately $100 million and already distributed $75 million in grants to more than 170 frontline nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Each grant required that funds be used solely for direct community support for relief, recovery and rebuilding — not for overhead or salaries. FireAid has never issued payments directly to individuals; rather, it partnered with trusted local nonprofits best positioned to reach survivors quickly and effectively.

To further ensure accountability from the outset, when FireAid was set up it engaged an independent auditor. As planned, an audit will be conducted at year’s end, once all $100 million has been distributed, and the results will be made public.

FireAid will distribute its remaining $25 million in grants by year-end 2025, with a focus on housing, trauma recovery, rebuilding community spaces, and long-term fire prevention.

While there is much more work to do, the money raised through FireAid is delivering much needed assistance to as many people as possible, to foster healing and help Los Angeles recover stronger than before.

About FireAid

FireAid was created in response to the January 2025 Palisades and Altadena wildfires to provide immediate and long-term relief. Guided by the principle that every dollar raised goes directly to survivors, FireAid partners with frontline nonprofits to deliver essential services and lasting recovery. FireAid itself operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations. Individuals seeking assistance are encouraged to contact a participating nonprofit, with a list available HERE.