Overview

The January 2025 wildfires upended the lives of thousands across Los Angeles. Students, faculty, and staff at the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) have faced displacement, instability, and loss, many without a financial safety net. In response, the Fund launched the LA Strong: Disaster Response Fund to meet immediate needs while leveraging the scale and infrastructure of the community college system. With generous support from donors, we’re implementing a four-part strategy:

1. Direct aid to students

2. Direct aid to employees

3. Subgrants to LACCD colleges and partners

4. Aligned workforce development activities

This approach ensures flexible, far-reaching support for recovery, rebuilding, and long-term resilience. Support has been distributed equitably across the district’s 900-square-mile footprint, with student and employee needs met regardless of campus affiliation.

Our Impact

As of June 2025, the Foundation has received $3,073,810 in gifts and pledges. In just six months, we’ve deployed over $1.86 million, reaching students and employees across all nine colleges:

• $685,500 in direct grants to 240 students (49% of total projected)

• $395,000 in direct grants to 44 employees (100% of projected)

• $780,000 in subgrants to colleges and community partners (88% of projected)

• $0 in workforce development disbursement to date (of $150,000 planned)

Student grants cover critical needs such as temporary housing, groceries, transportation, academic supplies, and emergency childcare. Employee aid has helped stabilize those facing parallel losses. Subgrants have enabled colleges and trusted partners to tailor relief to their campus communities.

We are continuing outreach to the hundreds of impacted students we have yet to serve and are continuing to explore support aligned workforce development strategies.