FireAid, a celebrity-packed concert held in January, raised an impressive $100 million for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
But now, six months later, residents affected by the fires are asking where exactly that money has gone.
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“This ‘benefit concert’ might be one of the biggest scams in disaster fundraising history,” said independent journalist James Li on X.
Thanks to Li and Sue Pascoe, an investigative journalist for Circling The News, we now know that FireAid funds have not gone directly to residents, but instead to nonprofits selected by a charity based on the other side of the country.
FireAid was a massive success
The fires that erupted in January culminated into one of the most catastrophic wildfire disasters in Los Angeles’s history.
According to the Institute for Applied Economics, the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires consumed more than 40,000 acres while destroying 16,244 structures, many of which in residential areas. And that was the damage from just two of the 14 fires that ravaged California in January, 2025.
The financial impact was severe. According to the UCLA Anderson School of Management, the estimated total property and capital losses are between $76 billion and $131 billion, with insured losses potentially reaching up to $45 billion.
The FireAid benefit concert — which was established to raise funds for those affected by the fires — drew more than 50 million viewers across 28 broadcast and streaming platforms.
Held at both the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum, FireAid featured performances from more than 30 artists including Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder and a special appearance by Joni Mitchell.
The $100 million haul included ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise and donations, including a $1 million donation from the band U2.
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Where did the money go?
Pascoe, who lost her home in the Palisades fire, said she received a query from a concerned reader that got this investigation started.
“Do you have any information as to where one can apply for the FireAid Concert Funds?” asked the reader. “I never could figure out where to apply for those funds?”
As Pascoe reports, The Annenberg Foundation was tasked with managing the FireAid funds. Pascoe emailed the organization asking, “How much of the funds were spent specifically for the Palisades and which nonprofits in that community are receiving money?” But Pascoe didn’t get a reply, and no one answered when she called several of the company’s extensions.
Pascoe was finally able to connect with someone at The Annenberg Foundation and while she initially got the runaround, she was directed to Chris Wallace, the foundation’s chief communications officer.
However, when Pascoe spoke with Wallace, she was shocked to learn that the FireAid proceeds would not go to residents affected by the devastating fires. Instead, the money would be distributed to several nonprofits affiliated with the Annenberg Foundation.
Pascoe questioned Wallace further, enquiring why money had not been allocated for residents in apartments on rent control, or the nearly 700 people who lived in the mobile home parks. But she didn’t get a response.
FireAid disburses the first $50 million
As Pascoe reports, FireAid funds have reportedly been distributed to local organizations, including El Nido, Vision y Compromiso, Home Grown and LA’s Home for Native People. FireAid disbursed $50 million, its first set of grants, on February 18, according to KABC.
"The selected organizations have the infrastructure, experience, and relationships necessary to efficiently and equitably deliver assistance to fire-impacted individuals and have each received $100,000 or more," FireAid shared with KABC.
But despite these reported distributions, many residents who lost their homes report that they’ve received nothing and are unable to find information on how to apply for assistance.
Li, who has over 138,000 followers on X, posted in May saying he’s "followed the money," which apparently led to what he called "a shadowy nonprofit" called The Annenberg Foundation.
The foundation is a Pennsylvania-based non-profit that has a rather small charitable footprint. According to Li, the foundation allocates just 33% of its annual expenses towards charity.
The rest reportedly goes to administrative costs, which includes executive pay. For example, Cynthia Kennard, executive director of The Annenberg Foundation, earns nearly seven figures per year in both salary and bonuses.
How to donate knowing where the money goes
While FireAid’s goal was rather clear, a lack of transparency has left many residents wondering why individual aid wasn’t considered, and exactly how these millions of dollars are being distributed.
“This FireAid money is not helping the people,” Pascoe told FOX 11. “It’s helping nonprofits, many of which have executives who are getting a six-figure salary.”
Because of that, it’s critical to be vigilant about where you donate your money. Here’s what you can do to ensure that your charitable donations go to those in need:
- Check ratings and reviews on sites like Charity Navigator or CharityWatch
- Research overhead ratio and aim for organizations where at least 70% of annual expenses goes to actual services
- Verify transparency by looking for charities that reveal financial reporting and specific plans for fund use
- Ask direct questions about how donations reach beneficiaries before donating
- Consider local organizations with established community connections
While supporting disaster relief efforts is crucial, the FireAid controversy reminds us that good intentions aren’t enough. Before opening up your wallet, make sure you know exactly where your money is going and how it will reach those who need it most.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
