House Judiciary Committee Report on Fire Aid Donations
A report released by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday claims that donations raised from a California benefit concert for wildfire relief were misallocated. Instead of directly assisting victims of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, the funds went toward administrative expenses and various initiatives, such as support for undocumented immigrants, podcasters, and nonprofits.
The benefit concerts, which took place at venues named FireAid after the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires in January 2025, managed to raise $100 million for those affected. However, many victims have since voiced concerns that they did not receive the help they expected.
The committee’s press release cited internal documents indicating that FireAid, created specifically to aid wildfire victims in Southern California, diverted funds toward projects described as left-wing initiatives and administrative costs rather than direct support for fire survivors. The report pointed to statements made by actor Miles Teller, who hosted the concert, assuring that funds would “go directly to those in need now and to the long-term efforts to get back on track.”
As scrutiny over the distribution of funds increased, FireAid reportedly claimed it lacked the mechanisms for direct payments to individuals and asserted that the donations “will be designated for direct relief and will not be used for administrative purposes.”
Out of the $100 million raised, approximately $75 million went to 188 nonprofit organizations. Internal documents revealed details on how these funds were allocated.
The committee’s findings also indicated that FireAid “prioritized grants to illegal aliens,” which included a $250,000 grant to the Community Organizational Relief Operations (CORE). This organization aims to provide immediate disaster relief and help communities become self-sufficient in the long term.
CORE stated that during the disaster, it quickly mobilized to address urgent needs, providing financial aid, hygiene kits, and even cleaning smoke-damaged homes. However, the commission noted that a report from CORE mentioned “illegal immigrants” as a priority group—emphasizing their vulnerability to housing instability and economic hardship.
In addition, a separate $100,000 was reportedly allocated to a podcaster affiliated with the Altadena Talks Foundation. The report emphasizes uncertainty on whether these funds actually helped wildfire victims directly.
Another substantial portion, around $500,000, was directed to the Black Music Action Coalition, an organization focused on racial equity and justice within the music industry. The commission also disclosed that over $500,000 was spent on employee bonuses and consultant fees across various nonprofit organizations, based on findings from grant reports.
The California Charter School Association noted that grant funds were used for recovery support but also allocated money to cover salaries, raising questions about the appropriateness of spending.
In its earlier communications, FireAid indicated that $550,000 of donations had been channeled to groups involved in political advocacy. They also earmarked funding for projects aimed at boosting voter participation.
Amid the controversy, an independent review by the law firm Latham & Watkins concluded that FireAid’s actions were appropriate and aligned with its mission. However, one local resident asserted that FireAid funds were critical for his rent and business recovery during a time of need.
Notable performers at the FireAid concert included artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. As of now, FireAid still has $25 million remaining to be distributed.
FireAid has not commented on the report from the House Judiciary Committee.
