Destructive and unexpected: What funders should know about wildfire recovery

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Since Jan. 7, Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the U.S., has been burning. Entire neighborhoods have been decimated, and Altadena, a community in L.A. County with a rich history of Black homeownership, has seen massive destruction. New fires continue destroying homes and businesses, causing families to flee and leaving loss in their wake. 

The level of damage and California’s demographics, combined with a new administration and a federal disaster response agency that spent much of its budget responding to hurricanes last fall, will challenge recovery. How do we protect marginalized communities from extreme devastation in the wake of the fires? 

During this webinar, our speakers will discuss how donors can support long-term recovery after a disaster of this magnitude. They will discuss the unique status of California’s population and what that might mean for individuals needing support. By the end of this webinar, donors will: Appreciate how past disasters in California can influence recovery in 2025. Learn how the diversity of California’s population will impact who can access aid. Understand how California’s housing and insurance crisis will create challenges.

 By the end of this webinar, donors will: 

• Appreciate how past disasters in California can influence recovery in 2025. 
• Learn how the diversity of California’s population will impact who can access aid. 
• Understand how California’s housing and insurance crisis will create challenges.

This webinar is co-sponsored by Giving Compass, Philanthropy California, SoCal Grantmakers, The Funders Network, Philanthropy New York, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and Alliance Magazine. 

During the webinar, automatic closed captioning will be available in multiple languages via Zoom. The webinar will be recorded and posted on this page. We will email the link to the fully captioned recording to everyone who registered. 

CDP desires to provide accessible webinars. Please email Katie Huang by Feb. 5 and let us know what accommodations you need to fully participate in the webinar. We will do our best to meet your needs as feasible. 

Photo: Wildfire damage in Los Angeles. (Credit: Jesse Rodriguez)

Panelist:

CDP Director of Innovation and Special Projects Natalie Chang will moderate the discussion. 

• Nina Knierim, California Area Manager- Climate Resilience: Mitigation + Adaptation + Preparation, CORE
•  Katie Simmons, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Butte County Administration 
• Dr. Rosemary Veniegas, Senior Program Officer for Health, California Community Foundation