Photo Credit: Jessica Christian
California’s high-profile FireAid campaign’s funds distribution continues to receive high scrutiny. Recent developments show some non-profit organizations have returned funds, responding to public and political pressure over transparency and fund allocations. U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) has led the initiative demanding answers.
The FireAid live music event at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum featured top artists and over $100 million raised for wildfire relief. But as the months have passed, many fire victims report no direct assistance. The funds were distributed to over 120 non-profits across California. Some organizations like the Pasadena Humane Society and Inclusive Action used the money to provide emergency housing, food assistance, animal welfare, trauma counseling, and support for small businesses.
But some non-profits who received money have begun returning their FireAid grants. Public records indicate that the California Native Vote Project, a group focused on civic engagement, returned its grant money after criticism and featuring in Kevin Kiley’s letter to the DOJ. Kiley has demanded a DOJ probe into the exact allocation and effectiveness of the money disbursement.
“If there are other examples like [The California Native Vote Project], of where maybe the funds were not allocated to the right type of organizations, then they can be redirected to the kind of organizations or ultimately to what will most expeditiously get the funds to the victims themselves, many of whom are struggling to rebuild,” Kiley said on the House floor on Wednesday.
FireAid and its representatives insist that their approach was always community-based grants, not direct individual payouts. Chris Wallace, a FireAid spokesperson, said, “FireAid has reached out to and spoken with Rep. Kiley. We are happy to work with him to make sure he has the full picture of the direct support FireAid has helped provide to people impacted by the devastating wildfires. From food and housing to legal aid and direct cash assistance, trusted local organizations have delivered meaningful relief to people in need—and we’re committed to make that impact clear.”
Wallace has provided reports and spending summaries to community groups asking for transparency, reiterating that admin costs were not paid from FireAid contributions. This claim remains under review by independent investigators.
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