Eaton Fire Fund FAQs
Does PCF grant to individuals or families impacted by the Eaton fire?
Pasadena Community Foundation only grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Is Pasadena Community Foundation a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization?
Yes, Pasadena Community Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax deductible as allowable by the law and your tax situation. PCF’s EIN is 20-0253310.
How can I trust that the Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund is legitimate and will direct funding appropriately?
PCF’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund has been vetted by Philanthropy California, an alliance of Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties. It partners with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to support immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts. Philanthropy California monitors wildfires & natural hazard events and provides individual and institutional funders with vetted funds, resources, and events. The Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund is on the vetted list to help direct resources to funds supporting nonprofits active in place-based relief and recovery efforts.
Will I be able to contribute to the fund using my Donor Advised Fund?
Yes, you may reach us by email or phone during regular working hours, 8:30am-5:30pm, Monday-Thursday, and 8:30am-3:00pm Friday. To request a grant from your fund to the Eaton Fire Fund, please contact PCF Development Manager Vivian Kambe, vkambe@pasasdenacf.org or 626.796.2097 x110.
Can I use other assets to make a gift to the Eaton Fire Fund?
Yes. For more information, please contact Vivian Kambe, vkambe@pasasdenacf.org or 626.796.2097 x110
Can donations be made via check?
Yes. Make checks payable to Pasadena Community Foundation” and note “Eaton Fire Fund” clearly in the memo. Please do not write anything else on your check, especially in the memo section. If “Eaton Fire Fund” is not clearly identified in the memo of your check, we will use our best judgment to determine how you intended your donation to be allocated. Checks should be mailed to:
Pasadena Community Foundation
301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 810
Pasadena CA, 91101
Can I support the PCF Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund by hosting a fundraiser, selling merchandise, etc. and do I need PCF’s consent to use its name for the promotion?
If you are interested in raising funds for the Eaton Fire Fund by hosting a fundraiser, charitable sales promotion, round-up campaign, donation collection, or similar campaign, please send an email to shilbert@pasadenacf.org with the following information:
- Your name and contact information;
- The name of your business;
- A description of your proposed campaign including the time period it will occur and your fundraising goal amount;
- An image of any product(s) you desire to sell;
- The location of your event/sale/fundraiser (physical location, web, or social media).
While we appreciate your support, please be aware that using the Pasadena Community Foundation’s name or logo or the Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund name without our written consent is not permissible. Our staff will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Will PCF post my fundraiser/event on its website? Will PCF help me do outreach for my event?
Because of the incredibly generous fundraising response across our region and the country, we do not have the space or staff capacity to post events and fundraisers on our webpage. We also do not have staff capacity to support outreach. Depending on the fundraiser, PCF might be able to post a notice on our Facebook.
Can I specify a nonprofit or specific purpose for my donation?
No. The Eaton Fire Fund is a pooled fund that will be used for evolving needs. We cannot allocate resources based on specific requests.
Does PCF accept material donations like clothes and supplies or in-kind donations like volunteer hours?
PCF does not accept material donations or in-kind donations.
My organization is interested in resources from this fund. Can we be considered?
If you are a nonprofit organization serving Altadena, Pasadena, or Sierra Madre and are interested in resources from the Eaton Fire Fund, please email Jeannine Bogaard, Director of Community Impact.
Did the Pasadena Community Foundation receive funding from the FireAid concert?
Yes, PCF did receive a grant from the FireAid concert, which will be rolled into PCF’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund to amplify our own fire aid efforts.
Is there a way I can donate cash directly to Eaton Fire survivors in need?
In February 2025, the Altadena Town Council launched the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund in partnership with GoFundMe.org, to direct resources to individuals who have been impacted by the fire. The fund will be managed by an advisory committee of trusted town leaders who will oversee the fund’s structure, holdings, and eventual distribution to ensure an equitable and transparent allocation of resources. Pasadena Community Foundation made a grant of $125,000 to help support this fund.