State of the California Wildfires: Philanthropy’s Role in Equitably Addressing Immediate and Long-term Needs

California is in the midst of another historic wildfire season.  Already, several major and lesser-known fires have destroyed communities and displaced tens of thousands of residents throughout Northern California. The state of California has secured Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for several counties to support wildfire response and recovery efforts, and more counties are expected to receive federal support in the coming weeks and months.  However, there remain gaps in what governments can provide to wildfire survivors in the immediate term, as well as resources required from public and private sectors for long-term recovery.

In this briefing, we will discuss the following questions:

• What is the current extent of wildfire impacts across California?

• How widespread are the needs of disaster survivors throughout Northern California?

• Which population groups are most impacted?

• What does a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration mean for impacted individuals and communities? What are the funding gaps and who is left out?

• What can funders expect in the coming weeks and months as displaced residents return home?

• How can funders engage in long-term recovery efforts and build lasting resilience among impacted communities?

We will allocate 30 minutes of this briefing for funders to ask questions, request resources, and share with each other their ongoing/anticipated grantmaking efforts.

Representatives from the following organizations will be present to answer your questions:

• California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

• Office of Governor Newsom

• League of California Community Foundations

• Responding funders from local community foundations and United Ways

• Center for Disaster Philanthropy

• Northern California Indian Development Council