Fire Aid Investigation

Author: Sue Pascoe
Date: July 25, 2025
Publisher: Circling The News
Articles: Fire Aide Investigation

The FireAid category on Circling The News contains a series of articles and reader viewpoints criticizing the distribution of over $100 million raised for the victims of the Palisades and Eaton Fires. The main point of contention is that the money was intended for individuals who lost their homes and property, but the vast majority of the funds has gone to nonprofits and various L.A. County departments, leading to accusations of the funds being a “swindle.”

View the FireAid Category Archives for more articles

Details

The articles in this category focus on the following key points of the FireAid controversy:

• Fund Distribution: Over $100 million was raised, but articles state that victims who lost their homes have received little to no aid directly. Instead, the money has been channeled to nonprofit organizations and departments like the County Relief Fund, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Department of Mental Health.
• Application Rules: To receive grants, organizations must be a nonprofit and supply their nonprofit number, meaning FireAid does not give funds directly to individuals affected by the fires.
• Criticism and Call to Action: Victims and readers have expressed deep disappointment and anger, suggesting the process is a “profitable game of nonprofits” and a failure of the system. One article explicitly urges victims to “Write the Attorney General” about the money going to nonprofits instead of individuals.¹
• Lack of Transparency: Articles question ²the lack of transparency in the selection of grantees, which are described as being composed of “L.A. based philanthropy experts.”