As residents of Pacific Palisades and Altadena were starting the process of rebuilding their homes and lives in the aftermath of the horrific wildfires that raced through the Southern California communities in January, Americans from all walks of life stepped up to help, donating money and supplies to those affected. Hollywood stepped up, too, with many musicians donating their time for a benefit concert called "FireAid." The concert raised roughly $100 million, but many fire victims are now questioning where all the money meant to help them has gone. There are some curious new answers, and Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) has asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate.
We've learned that of the $100 million raised at the celebrity "Fire Aid" concert, none actually went to LA fire victims. Instead the money went to nonprofits, many that have nothing to do with fire relief.
— Rep. Kevin Kiley (@RepKiley) July 22, 2025
I've asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to open an investigation. pic.twitter.com/BI3T77wlZo
I brought you the story of the scandal over FireAid funds for California fire victims on July 18. Pacific Palisades investigative reporter and editor of the local publication "Circling the News," Sue Pasco, was asked by a reader how they might access some of the funds raised. Pasco said she would look into it and found quite an interesting situation. Individual fire victims cannot access funds themselves. The money is distributed through a series of non-profit organizations. Local ABC News affiliate KABC did some digging and discovered that, while some individual fire victims were getting assistance, they are only receiving that assistance through the non-profits that received funds raised from the concert. But who exactly are those non-profit organizations?
READ MORE: Seven Months Later, CA Wildfire Victims Are Asking, 'Where's the FireAid Concert Money?'
One group, "The Change Reaction," is giving direct assistance to fire victims. Others include "Door of Hope," which provides financial assistance to help victims pay for rent, and the Pasadena Humane Society is using $250,000 of FireAid money to treat and house pets left homeless by the fire.
Other groups, however, seem to have a rather flimsy connection to fire relief efforts and are more involved with - wait for it - promoting leftist political thought.
One of those groups is called the "California Native Vote Project." Their focus, to encourage Native Americans to participate in the political process. What does that have to do with fire assistance? Exactly. The Fire Aid website describes their mission as:
"Financial assistance for displaced and affected Native families, expanded healing and mental health services, and distribution of critical health & safety resources."
According to Census data, there are 16 Native Americans out of 23,000 residents living in Pacific Palisades, and in Altadena, which was affected by the Eaton fire, there are 46 Native Americans out of 43,000 residents, for a grand total of 62 people. The California Native Vote Project bills itself as nonpartisan, but a quick perusal of its website says otherwise. They brag about helping to get a local Christopher Columbus statue removed, and proclaim they "stand with the undocumented population."
Later updates, including polls of Palisades families, indicate essentially zero dollars from the Palisades Fire Aid Concert went to actual families.
— Clark H (@Clarksterh) July 21, 2025
Comment: is tax exempt status ever removed for false pretenses, lack of fiscal responsibility? https://t.co/xcYWX9tTMR
Then, there is the "Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California" (IDEPSCA), quite a mouthful for this Midwesterner. Their role in assisting wildfire victims may need more explaining than the California Native Vote Project. Their mission, according to their website, is
"To create a more humane and democratic society by responding to the needs and problems of disenfranchised people through leadership development and educational programs based on Popular Education methodology. Specifically our goal is to organize and educate immigrants concerned with solving problems in their own communities."
Again, what does any of that have to do with assisting wildfire victims? Sure seems like the answer to that is nothing, and has the look of both organizations seizing an opportunity to push an agenda, not help people who need it. And while most nonprofits do great work, the setup of funds going directly to them is too much temptation for fraud. During a recent interview, Sue Pasco stated of that setup bluntly, "I think they're not helping the victims at all." (You can follow Sue Pasco's great work on getting a fair shake for California wildfire victims at circlingthenews.com.)
Palisades: $100M FireAid concert funds under scrutiny. Where has the money gone? - https://t.co/WKwXiaEfRM
— Deenie (@deenie7940) July 22, 2025
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