Who will receive FireAid's $50M grant? Funds raised in benefit concerts will also support music centers and artists

Fundraising organization FireAid announced grants for the $50 million raised from benefit concerts. According to a press release from February 18, 2025, approximately $100 million has been raised, but grants for only the first phase, i.e. $50 million, will be disbursed. The press release mentions:

“As a result of the overwhelming support for the FireAid benefit concert from thousands of individuals around the world, dozens of sponsors and streaming partners, and the generous donation of time and talent from the music industry’s top performers, FireAid has proudly raised to date an estimated $100 million, half of which is being deployed today for immediate relief through a $50 million first set of grants.”

The grantees for the $50 million grant include families and children, disaster aid, first responders, small enterprises, displaced workers, artists, musicians, schools, students, vulnerable communities, resources for public and navigation, housing, health, food, communities, and conveners. Concerning the grant to music centers and artists, the press release mentioned:

“Los Angeles’ vast arts community has been deeply impacted by the wildfires, with many musicians and artists losing their homes, studios, and income. In response, the music industry came together with FireAid, raising significant relief funds.”

Additionally,

“The selected grantees will provide direct aid to affected artists while also offering mental health services, employing artists in community programs to bring hope and reprieve, and supporting small arts organizations to ensure their resilience.”

The first phase focuses on community organizations involved in wildfire relief efforts. These groups have the resources, expertise, and connections to provide timely and fair assistance to those affected.

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What will FireAid’s next phase of grants cover?

The initial round of funding will be fully distributed by the end of February 2025, while the next phase will focus on ongoing recovery efforts, rebuilding, and addressing environmental concerns. According to the press release, each grantee has received at least $100,000 to help meet urgent needs.

The funds are being used to assist a wide range of individuals impacted by the fires, including displaced residents, workers, small business owners, and first responders.

Support includes essential services such as food aid, childcare, healthcare, housing and rental relief, student assistance, and guidance to help victims access legal resources, government benefits, and necessary paperwork.

Experts and survivors of past large-scale fires stressed the importance of setting aside funds for unexpected community needs and maintaining flexibility throughout the recovery process. To support this, FireAid has introduced a program offering smaller grants between $10,000 and $50,000 for community-based organizations.

The FireAid event brought together over 50 million viewers across 28 streaming platforms and featured performances from more than 30 artists at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum. Funds were raised through ticket sales and sponsorships led by Kaiser Permanente and Scopely.

Besides that, there were merchandise sales and public donations, including contributions from the Azoff family, the Eagles, Andrew Hauptman and Ellen Bronfman Hauptman, and U2. The fundraising concert took place on January 30, 2025.