Use of Grant Dollars - All Time
Event Category By Year
Impact Gallery - How are Grants Helping Communities?
Collective Insights - What are Community Foundations Learning?
2026 Grants
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $77,000
Category: Recovery
A severe storm and flood event beginning January 2, 2026 devastated the unincorporated coastal communities of King Salmon and Fields Landing in Humboldt County, where the Humboldt Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) estimates roughly $700,000 in structural damage, $50,000 in appliance losses, and more than $200,000 in other essential-item losses — with as many as one in three affected properties considering demolition at the time of application. The event hit communities already among the region’s most vulnerable: low-lying areas facing documented sea level rise (about 4 mm per year) and land subsidence, where Cal Poly Humboldt research found more than half of households earn under $50,000 annually. Their disadvantage was compounded by circumstance — the flooding coincided with a high-profile fire in Arcata that quickly drew a state of emergency and generous support, while the flood communities received far less attention; as unincorporated areas without municipal governments, they had limited capacity to seek aid, and although an SBA disaster declaration enabled low-interest loans, FEMA assistance was never made available. The sub-grant from the League was regranted quickly through the Foundation’s Disaster Response and Resilience Fund to trusted frontline nonprofits leading recovery, funding structural repairs, storm-damage mitigation, replacement of critical household appliances, medical supplies, and basic needs for low-income residents, seniors, and people with disabilities — reinforcing a local fund that has nearly exhausted its remaining disaster dollars on three initial grants to volunteer organizations.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $75,000
Category: Relief
In late December 2025, heavy rain and flash flooding struck Redding and the surrounding area beginning December 21, prompting both state and county emergency declarations and drawing national headlines. The severity was acute: Redding Police and Fire personnel carried out roughly 60 flood-related rescues, one death was reported, and numerous homes, apartments, and businesses were inundated, including one complex where 24 elderly residents were displaced while their facility undergoes restoration. With the grant, the Community Foundation of the North State immediately regranted funds to three local nonprofits whose facilities were damaged badly enough to halt services, cut programs, and lay off staff. The highest-priority recipient was a nonprofit providing medical respite for people experiencing homelessness who are recovering after hospital discharge; flood damage forced it to close and displace the vulnerable clients in its care. Funds also addressed urgent flood damage at a local animal shelter and a community center serving children, families, and seniors, supporting shelter, debris removal, healthcare, and basic needs for the region’s homeless, low-income, and senior populations.
2025 Grants
Event: Fire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
This rapid response grant will support emergency needs for survivors of the Eaton Fire. Pasadena Community Foundation is working in close partnership with the California Community Foundation and other trusted local nonprofit partners to identify and meet emerging needs, and to plan for long-term recovery.
Event: Fire
Amount: $40,000
Category: Recovery
This grant will support medium to long-term recovery efforts from the Borel Fire in Kern County, which burned over 59,000 acres and caused thousands of evacuations in a region with high rates of poverty and a high prevalence of under- or un-insured residents.
Event: General
Amount: $25,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
This grant will support the foundation in developing its first ever Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) & Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), while enhancing organizational infrastructure to be nimble and responsive to community needs in a natural disaster scenario.
Event: General
Amount: $60,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
This grant will support the Community Foundation of Mendocino County to strengthen internal disaster readiness capacity through a focused Internal Preparedness Scenario project that includes contracting with the county’s Office of Emergency Services, an expert trainer / facilitator / consultant, and a solar technology team. By pairing skill improvement with infrastructure investments the foundation will be better able to respond to multiple disaster scenarios.
The project plan includes disaster simulation training, scenario planning with case studies, consulting support, role-play exercises during staff and board retreats, a video training on the Disaster Handbook information for visual / audio learners, and power infrastructure that enhances and leverages existing rooftop solar panels.
At the same time, the foundation will strengthen its infrastructure for one of the most predictable disaster scenarios in Mendocino County—extended power and internet outages—through refreshed emergency kits that include solar phone chargers, installation of a backup battery system with connection to existing solar panels, and replacement of current internet provider.
Event: General
Amount: $70,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
This grant will support the Community Foundation of Nevada County (COFONC) to design a framework for a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) serving rural Western Nevada County. A COAD is a coordinated network of community-based organizations, government agencies, utilities, and private sector partners that align resources, communications, and response efforts before, during, and after disasters.
Nevada County currently lacks a formal COAD, leaving too much room for response efforts to be fragmented, duplicative, and inequitable. Vulnerable residents, including seniors (29.5% of the population, nearly double the state average), low-income households, non-English speakers, tribal members, and unhoused residents, were disproportionately impacted in recent fires and storms. With 92% of the county located in High or Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, this gap leaves the entire community at risk.
Event: General
Amount: $65,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
This grant will support an Internal Preparedness initiative as part of IECF’s broader Disaster Readiness strategy. This project will strengthen IECF’s internal capacity to respond to regional disasters by formalizing emergency protocols, training staff, upgrading technology systems, and ensuring continuity of philanthropic services.
As part of IECF’s broader Disaster Readiness Initiative, the Internal Preparedness proposal focuses on strengthening the Foundation’s operational resilience and staff readiness during emergencies. This component ensures continuity of mission-critical functions and safeguards personnel through:
● Crisis Protocol Development: Establishing clear internal procedures for disaster response, including decision-making hierarchies, remote work contingencies, and emergency communication plans.
● Staff Safety and Training: Implementing regular preparedness drills, safety briefings, and mental health support to equip staff with the tools and confidence to respond effectively.
● Technology and Data Resilience: Securing digital infrastructure through cloud-based backups, cybersecurity protocols, and redundant systems to maintain operations during disruptions.
● Continuity of Grantmaking and Donor Engagement: Ensuring that philanthropic services remain active, with predefined workflows for rapid fund deployment and donor communications.
Event: General
Amount: $70,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
This grant will support a comprehensive Internal Preparedness Project to strengthen Napa Valley Community Foundation’s ability to remain fully operational during disasters. Recent experiences responding to wildfires and other emergencies have underscored a critical need for resilience in two areas:
1. Continuity of Operations
2. Infrastructure & Technology
This project will address those gaps by:
• Updating COOP and EOP with professional consulting support.
• Installing solar battery backup systems to keep essential systems running during outages.
• Scaling internal capacity for gift processing by cross-training additional staff.
• Enhancing emergency communication with building tenants (and, if needed, extending to grantees).
• Providing board training to ensure leadership is prepared to guide and govern during crises.
The project benefits extend far beyond NVCF, which owns and operates the Sato Family Nonprofit Campus housing 14 nonprofit organizations. Tenants include the American Red Cross, Napa Valley COAD, Napa Firewise, and Community Resources for Children—groups that play critical roles in disaster response and recovery.
Event: General
Amount: $25,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
This project upgrade internal preparedness by creating system-based structures that will allow the foundation to rapidly engage key partners, funders, donors, and agencies in responding to disasters.
Event: General
Amount: $65,000
Category: Readiness and Resilience
The Solano Community Foundation will implement a cloud-based CRM system to centralize donor, partner, and VOAD/COAD contact data, closing a critical gap in the foundation’s disaster readiness. This infrastructure will enable rapid, equitable outreach and fundraising within hours of a disaster, positioning SCF as a trusted leader in local response throughout the entire disaster recovery continuum — immediate response, stabilization, and long-term recovery.
2024 Grants
Event: Fire
Amount: $75,000
Category: Relief
This grant will support the grantmaking of the Ventura County Community Foundation in response to the Mountain Fire, which has burned over 20,000 acres, destroyed over 240 structures including many homes, and prompted more than 10,000 evacuations. This grant will be used to provide sub-grants to local nonprofit partners that are providing evacuees with shelter needs and/or returning to their homes.
Event: Fire
Amount: $100,00
Category: Relief
This grant will support the grantmaking of the Inland Empire Community Foundation in response to the Line Fire, which has burned over 43,000 acres and prompted thousands of evacuations, as well as the nearby Airport Fire and Bridge Fire. This grant will be used to provide sub-grants to local nonprofit partners that are providing evacuees with shelter needs and/or returning to their homes.
Event: Fire
Amount: $50,00
Category: Relief
This grant will support the grantmaking of the Lake County Community Foundation in the wake of the Boyles Fire, which at the time of application had destroyed over 30 structures and 40 vehicles, cut power to 183 households, and prompted the mandatory evacuation of 2,313 people with more under evacuation warnings. This grant will be used to provide sub-grants to local nonprofit partners in order to provide emergency shelter and basic needs for displaced households in Clearlake.
Event: Fire
Amount: $100,00
Category: Relief
This grant will support the grantmaking of the Kern Community Foundation in the wake of the Borel Fire, which has burned over 59,000 acres and caused thousands of evacuations in a region with high rates of poverty and a high prevalence of under- or un-insured residents.
Event: Fire
Amount: $100,00
Category: Relief
This grant will support the grantmaking of the Unmet Needs Committee in the wake of the Park Fire, which has burned over 400,000 acres across four counties and caused tens of thousands of evacuations and hundreds of structures burned.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $75,00
Category: Resilience
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $77,500
Category: Relief
The 2023-24 winter storms caused significant flooding and damage in Santa Cruz County. The majority of people impacted by storm damage are elderly and low income, often living outside urban service lines with very limited infrastructure and far from health and human services. This grant will support disaster case management and the local long-term recovery group to support unmet needs to recovery including the cost of building materials, permits, tree removal, and debris flow retaining walls.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $75,000
Category: Relief
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $55,000
Category: Relief
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $55,000
Category: Relief
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $55,000
Category: Resilience
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $75,000
Category: Resilience
Event: Storm
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
On January 22 parts of San Diego County received enough rain in a very short time to be described as a 100-year storm and in several communities, a 500-year storm. Whole neighborhoods were inundated with storm waters and flooding.
The impacts of the storm hit hardest on some of the lowest-income neighborhoods in San Diego County. From National City in the west to Spring Valley in East County, those with the very least in assets lost the very most.
The storm damage and flooding had a very inequitable impact on San Diego. There was very little significant storm damage “north of the I-8” where more middle-class and wealthier neighborhoods are found. “South of the I-8” is where working class and very low-income neighborhoods are located. From National City in the west to Spring Valley in East County, those with the very least in assets lost the very most. I just watched a video from one of our Black InGenius Initiative families whose home was rendered a complete disaster and made unlivable. In addition to everything they owned being destroyed, they also lost three vehicles. Their family of six is currently staying with friends in another community. There are countless stories like this one from the poorest neighborhoods in the San Diego region.
This grant will support immediate relief and longer-term recovery for those who lost significant property and whose residences have been made unlivable. One of the most pressing needs is for housing vouchers as a critical homelessness prevention strategy. San Diego Flood Recovery Fund grantees will be selected by an advisory council composed of community leaders from the communities most impacted by this disaster.
Event: Storm
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Residents of Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme were devastated by catastrophic floods that struck in late December, dropping nearly 3.25 inches of rain in just 45 minutes. Flash flooding caused water intrusion to over 400 homes, 50 of which saw water over 18 inches inside. Many of the affected residents are seniors living in low-income communities, making them particularly vulnerable to the financial burdens brought about by this disaster. The undocumented individuals impacted do not meet eligibility requirements of the Small Business Administration assistance. Local agencies have been unsuccessful in qualifying for FEMA assistance because the event did not meet FEMA’s threshold of 1200 damaged units. This grant will support emergency relief, home restoration, and basic needs support for families.
2023 Grants
Event: General
Amount: $75,000
Category: Resilience
This grant will contribute to a local match of funds from the California Housing & Community Development (HCD) department as part of a larger $700,000 grant. The funding aims to support the Ventura County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and its initiatives to mitigate disaster risks and enhance community resilience.
This work will enhance the internal infrastructure of VOAD to foster collaboration among community-based organizations addressing preparedness and health and safety needs during emergencies. Additionally, VCCF aims to develop a comprehensive directory of community resources and contacts for disaster response, provide training and exercises for activation procedures, and strengthen partnerships in vulnerable low-to-moderate income areas.
The grant will also support the hiring of VOAD’s first permanent Director who brings extensive experience in disaster and public health community outreach. The projected outcomes of this grant include increased emergency response capacity, improved community resiliency, updated resource directories, understanding of activation procedures, and better preparation for responding to diverse community needs.
Equity is a central consideration in this disaster response effort, targeting underserved and vulnerable populations, including those affected by racial or ethnic discrimination, lack of access to basic necessities, unsafe environments, and disabilities.
Event: Storm
Amount: $100,000
Category: Recovery
The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) established the Monterey County Storm Relief Fund in response to numerous storms in Monterey County that began in early 2023.
This grant will benefit agencies providing recovery services in the Pajaro community. On March 11th, the levee along the Pajaro River in north Monterey County was breached, forcing thousands of Pajaro residents to evacuate in the middle of the night. Flooded farmlands along with the loss experienced by local businesses have had a tremendous negative impact on the community. Pajaro residents are largely low-income, Latino farmworker families who have lost their homes and for a large majority, also their jobs.
Grants will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and organizations providing direct support to individuals. Examples of recently supported programming in the Pajaro community include: support for pregnant and postpartum families, donation and distribution efforts, play to learn bags for school-aged youth affected by the flooding, food and housing efforts, small business relief.
Event: General
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
This grant will bolster the resiliency of the region’s rural Tribal Nations, fire protection districts, volunteer fire departments, and nonprofit networks. A portion of the grant will be allocated to revitalize and increase capacity for the VOAD including to: revamp policies and procedures, develop equitable and geographically diverse participation, enhance communication and translation tools, conduct county-wide practice drills to identify weaknesses or gaps, facilitate team building and leadership development, incentivize participation, and ensure partners’ readiness. The Community Foundation has taken on a leadership role in stewarding Mendocino County’s branch of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to a place of effectiveness, action, and equitable access.
Another portion of the grant will support two years of Community Resiliency and Preparedness Fund Grants, providing equipment and infrastructure for organizations, agencies, and Tribal Nations. These subgrants may include purchasing equipment for volunteer fire departments, increasing the number of neighborhood fire safe councils, broadcasting equipment to maintain a reliable signal during emergencies, fuel reduction and defensible space programming, CERT trailers and equipment, conducting cultural and prescribed burns, and evacuation planning for remote areas. Priority will be given to projects that serve vulnerable populations and/or provide solutions to a critical gap in local safety net services.
Event: General
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
In January 2023 San Luis Obispo declared a state of emergency in response to severe storms, flooding and associated damages. The Foundation opened its Disaster Support Fund to assist with the initial emergency response. This emergency brought into focus the importance of disaster preparedness and the importance of embedding recovery and community resilience into the Foundation’s and its partners’ disaster plans.
This grant will enable the Foundation to strengthen its county Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to support the most vulnerable members of its community in a time of need, including working with an expert consultant on disaster resilience preparation. The Foundation will also re-grant to key local partners such as the SLO County United Way, the County’s lead for VOAD.
San Luis Obispo County’s VOAD agency membership ensures that the most vulnerable community members are represented at the leadership table. Members include: United Way, SLO Meals that Connect, Red Cross Woods Humane, Community Action Partnership, San Luis Obispo Senior Volunteer Services, SLO Food Bank, SLO Hospice, SLO Ombudsman, and Salvation Army. In addition to VOAD agency membership the Foundation will collaborate with county and city governments, chambers of commerce, school districts and mental health serving agencies. The Foundation plans to engage the SLO County UndocuSupport Coalition of Leaders to ensure that language justice is embedded into all emergency planning, response and recovery efforts.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $77,000
Category: Recovery
This grant will help the Foundation empower community resiliency by: hosting community convenings; leveraging matching donations for nonprofit disaster response grants; supporting local small businesses impacted by disasters; and improving equitable disaster resilience collaboration with the county, the city, and municipalities.
Deployment of this grant funding will be guided by findings from the upcoming Central Coast Regional Equity Study (CCRE), a partnership of the Foundation with The Fund for Santa Barbara, Ventura County Community Foundation, UCSB and USC. We will leverage the grant to partner with local cities and chamber of commerce’s on their disaster recovery grantmaking and planning to ensure equity is centered in all decision-making. The Foundation will be working with the Central Coast Racial Equity Studies’ social justice leaders which is a conglomeration of individuals from nonprofit, government and for-profit leaders in our community; and plans to engage the SLO County UndocuSupport Coalition of Leaders to ensure that racial justice is embedded into all emergency planning, response and recovery efforts.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
The three-week series of atmospheric river storms that affected California at the close of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 was the deadliest disaster incident in recent history, taking the lives of five people in Mendocino County. Heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, strong winds and gusts, falling debris, downed trees, and extensive power outages barraged Mendocino County residents.
The most significant damages were along the coastline and for residents of a Willits trailer park where a sinkhole left more than 20 households isolated from supplies and services. On the coast, tens of thousands of residents were without power for over a week, losing refrigerated foods. Contracted, service and hospitality staff were unable to work, losing up to two weeks of income. Tree service and/or wood chippers are cost-prohibitive, and leftover debris becomes a fire danger as summer approaches. In Willits, after two weeks the County proclaimed the area a public health disaster and red-tagged the trailer park, leaving residents two days to pack up their lives while the county installed a temporary bridge. Many residents who have lived on the property for years, with unregistered and inoperable trailers, and were suddenly forced to exit.
With the support of this grant, the Community Foundation will distribute emergency aid including supplies, individual assistance grants (for relocation support, wage recovery, debris removal, etc.), and recovery case management services.
In its fifth year of major disaster response the Foundation has developed systems that prioritize the County’s most vulnerable communities, including grant criteria that assess geographic diversity, safety net gaps, population vulnerabilities and more. The top priority for these relief grants is to assist at-risk communities, including seniors; low-income families; low-access residents; individuals with underlying physical, emotional, or intellectual conditions; disabled; homeless or housing insecure; Native Americans and communities of color; veterans; undocumented migrants; and service workers.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Early in 2023 severe winter storms brought flooding, high winds, debris flow, and surf that caused damage across Santa Barbara County. In many areas around the county, burn scars from recent fires elevated the risk of debris flows and forced many residents to evacuate their homes. Additionally, road closures prevented some residents from returning to their homes during the floods and supply chains were impacted. Shelters for the unhoused remain open, though the emergency shelters are now closed as many residents continue to be displaced and in need of immediate case management and services. Additionally, there is a need for supplies for clean up in the aftermath of the storm.
This grant will provide funding to organizations who are sheltering those that were either unhoused during the storm or whose homes are no longer inhabitable because of the storm; providing emergency food for those displaced individuals; addressing mental health needs; debris clean up and home assessment. SBF’s work is focused on rural communities and geographically isolated communities such as Guadalupe, where there has been infrastructure damage such as in Orcutt, and agricultural areas experiencing crop loss and farmworker lost wages.
SBF is working with partners such as the 805Undocufund and Los Amigos De Guadalupe to ensure that underserved and marginalized members of the community receive needed services. Additionally, the Foundation is working with partners to ensure that community-based outreach workers such as Community Health Workers/Promotores and those who represent indigenous populations and farmworkers are reaching community members who are in need of services but may not approach traditional avenues such as County/City LACs. The Public Health Department’s Equity Coordination office has been a key partner for SBF and in working with grassroot organizations to outreach and engage these communities in critical need outsider of the reach of the Office of Emergency Services’ communications.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $25,000
Category: Relief
Recent winter storms resulted in severe flooding, toppled trees, power outages, road closures and mudslides, which led to widespread destruction and hardship for many Sunol residents, students and their families. Sunol, is a rural unincorporated region of Alameda County, nestled next to Niles Canyon with only one main connecting road in and out, Highway 84. Highway 84 was closed and rendered unsafe and inoperable by CalTrans due to a series of precipitous landslides of rock and mud. Families, pets and livestock have been temporarily and in many cases, permanently displaced. Sunol Glen School, the only elementary/K-8 school serving the community, was particularly affected when the campus was flooded by Alameda Creek, the largest watershed in the Southern San Francisco Bay. Now that the floodwaters have receded, hundreds of Sunol’s nearly 1,000 residents and approximately 300 students are in need of support for recovery efforts.
This grant will provide emergency assistance and relief led by two local nonprofits, The Sunol Business Guild and Sunol Glen Community Club, in coordination with the Sunol Citizens’ Advisory Council. Grantmaking and direct assistance to nonprofit agencies and organizations will address basic needs including food, daily essentials, temporary housing, emergency shelter, financial assistance to those evacuated, support for first responders and clean-up crews and mental health support, as well as long term recovery efforts.
Three Valleys Community Foundation, which is a supported affiliate organization of San Joaquin Community Foundation, is working closely with local Sunol community-based organizations to ensure the appropriate, equitable and just allocation of funds. The Sunol Unified School District, Sunol Business Guild, Sunol Glen Community Club, Sunol Citizens’ Advisory Council, as well as local direct-service nonprofits will ensure that resources are deployed where they are most needed. Support for the most vulnerable community members, socio-economically disadvantaged, youth, seniors, veterans, disabled and unsheltered/unhoused will be prioritized.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $50,000
Category: Relief
In January 2023, severe winter storms hit San Benito County, causing flooding in multiple areas and displacing over 100 families. Homes were destroyed or damaged by water and mudslides. Jobs held on farming lands were lost. Sewage breakages in the area has kept families from returning to their homes.
Foundation staff have met personally with many families affected by the flooding and have visited damaged homes and farmlands. The Foundation is helping connect its County Office of Emergency Services with local nonprofit organizations to quicken disaster response time and avoid duplication of efforts.
This grant will provide subgrants to local nonprofits responding to the disaster, including those providing food, shelter, and supplies. Funding will also be granted to individuals impacted directly by the floods. Priority area are the North County where the flooding of Pacheco Creek occurred. The goal for these funds is to provide support and direct resources to help reduce barriers to access and achieve equitable outcomes that benefit the entire community.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Storms and flooding early in 2023 have inflicted enormous infrastructure damage (roads, piers, dams, etc). in Santa Cruz County and have led to individual loss of dwellings, remediation needs, disposal, furnishing replacement and more.
Most of the people most impacted by the storms are low wage workers (including undocumented) and very low income seniors and BIPOC small business owners. The community foundation’s relief efforts are expressly targeted to these neighbors.
Event: Storm/Flood
Amount: $50,000
Category: Relief
This grant will support the 805UndocuFund’s direct relief to undocumented residents whose vehicles, homes, or personal possessions were damaged by this winter’s severe storms.
Flooding from historic 2023 winter storms has created widespread impact to property and to the livelihood of many residents of Ventura County. Most impacted have been undocumented residents, largely farm and service workers. These residents have experienced loss of property, including vehicles an loss of income due to crop loss and inability to access their work places due to road closures.
Undocumented workers, neighbors, and loved ones will not have access to federal financial relief to recover from the devastating loss of property, housing, and economic insecurity. Reports show that when storms hit, immigrant families are highly vulnerable to life and material loss due to lack of insurance, low-income jobs, language barriers, and high-density dwelling housing. 805 UndocuFund has created a Small Scale Disaster Fund to assist with these needs and home fires or other disasters of more limited scope.
2022 Grants
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
This grant will support Placer Community Foundation’s Mosquito Fire Fund to respond to emergency needs in the Foresthill community in the wake of the Mosquito Fire that sparked on September 6, 2022. Needs supported by this fund include direct cash assistance to evacuees, emergency housing for disabled residents whose homes were lost or damaged, food assistance to impacted families, mental health support to community members, and support to Maidu and Miwok tribes in the Todd Valley where the fire burned. Any remaining funds from this grant will support the Foundation’s standing Fire Relief Fund.
Event: General
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
Funding will also enable volunteer fire departments, districts and Tribes to purchase essential equipment.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
This grant was aligned with over $43,000 in additional gifts to grant a total of $143,000 to the Family & Community Resource Center of Weed (fiscally-sponsored by Siskiyou Community Resource Collaborative) to support a Disaster Case Manager and Construction Coordinator for the Mill Fire Survivors through 2024. Funding case management makes a tremendous difference in supporting recovery for survivors. The grantee agency shared that “Having the support of CFNS to put a case manager in place was pivotal to helping those survivors on the McKinney Fire.”
Event: General Disaster Resilience
Amount: $50,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
This grant will support the Placer Community Foundation to build its capacity as a leader in local disaster response, recovery and resilience, including the ability to:
- Strategize with local county and municipal agencies, and nonprofit organizations and implement a cohesive, unified response plan to be ready when the next emergency hits.
- Make grants to key nonprofit partners to build the capacity that will ensure help is available to disaster victims having the greatest need.
- Evaluate and implement accounting and fundraising software to deftly take in donations during a crisis, make and manage grants to partners in the field helping those most affected during an emergency including seniors, low-income individuals and families, veterans, the disabled and others, and facilitate the tracking of donors for follow-up messages.
Impact snapshot:
This grant is supporting the community foundation to enhance disaster response and preparedness in Placer County through a three-phase approach. In Phase 1, the foundation is implementing an online donation portal and upgrading its website hosting services and cybersecurity measures to respond swiftly to community needs, especially during emergencies. In Phase 2, the foundation is focusing on recruiting a consultant/program coordinator and exploring partnerships with key organizations. Phase 3 will involve the development of a comprehensive work plan that leverages stakeholder expertise for seamless inter-agency collaboration during emergencies. This framework will provide a roadmap for pre-, immediate, and post-disaster response.
Event: General Disaster Preparedness
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
This grant will amplify the reach and impact of the Foundation’s disaster preparedness initiative that will leverage the highly successful community outreach model that the Foundation deployed in Sacramento County during the 2020 Census. The Sacramento Region Community Foundation received a $350,000 grant from the Listos program to expand their disaster preparedness initiative in Sacramento County. The Foundation will collaborate with seven local Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to reach vulnerable populations such as low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and limited English proficiency individuals. The subgrantees will implement culturally appropriate education and activities, including creating disaster kits, developing multilingual materials, and providing training for low vision residents. The Foundation will also leverage existing partner outreach efforts and programs, such as vaccination education campaigns and public safety training, to conduct disaster preparedness outreach. They will also utilize their network of grantees, like Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, to increase visibility and access to their work.
Impact snapshot:
This grant amplified resources to subgrantee partners to deliver disaster preparedness in the Sacramento Region. The project reached nearly 10,000 people, installed more than 200 smoke alarms in over 50 homes, established new partnerships with SMUD and emergency supply manufacturers, and delivered over 100 engagement activities serving vulnerable populations such as seniors, people living with disabilities, and people for whom English is not their primary language. Partner organizations shared valuable resources to prepare for disasters, such as flooding, extreme heat, and energy blackouts. The work also supported emergency cash assistance through the Red Cross, who dispersed over $100,000 in emergency funding to impacted community members.
Event: Storm
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
On December 30th, 2021, an intense winter snowstorm hit Nevada County, causing significant damage. The storm brought down trees, blocked roadways, and left thousands without power. It also resulted in a large amount of hazardous vegetation, making the county highly vulnerable to wildfires. With 91% of the county classified as a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. To address this, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and the County of Nevada, in partnership with the CA Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, will provide a Storm Debris Response Micro-Grant Program. This program will support 26 NFPA-certified Firewise communities in Nevada County to implement local risk mitigation projects.
Impact snapshot:
The grant funded the implementation of a Storm Debris Response Micro-Grant Program for recognized Firewise Communities. The Micro-Grant program granted 26 grants of $3,600 each for projects that increased defensible space around homes, removed hazardous vegetation from private lands, and cleared evacuation routes on private roadways. This program leveraged the volunteerism of Firewise Communities to use this funding as a force multiplier to get a ton of work done with these micro-grants. This grant was crucial to clearing and removing downed vegetation to help reduce the risk and intensity of wildfire.
2021 Grants
Event: Fire
Amount: $75,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
This grant will support the Humboldt and Del Norte COAD networks to address structural barriers to disaster response systems in the region and reach the most vulnerable communities, including isolated and remote communities, low-income families, populations subject to historical trauma and discrimination, the medically fragile, and those with language barriers. Both COADs have intentionally partnered with Tribes, incorporated cultural and heritage preservation plans, and established relationships with Spanish and Hmong-speaking communities. The Humboldt Launch Coordinator will focus on resilience-oriented, trauma-informed, and anti-racist network development, as well as partnership development with Tribes and communities of color. Collaborations with government, emergency services, social services agencies, and nonprofit organizations will enhance COAD capability and capacity.
Impact snapshot:
This grant enabled the foundation to invest in operationalize the Humboldt and Del Norte COADs and launching the Trinity County COAD. This included two grants to Humboldt COAD’s fiscal sponsor, the College of the Redwoods Foundation. The majority of these funds will go to hiring a Launch Coordinator in Del Norte County and resources for Humboldt COAD to act as a regional Hub and support the launch of their efforts. Over the last year, HAF/WRCF staff have helped coordinate efforts to make this regional approach possible, and is now a formal member of the Humboldt COAD.
Event: Fire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
On September 12, 2021, the Hopkins Fire burned 257 acres, destroyed 30 homes and 20 structures, and evacuated over 200 residents. The County of Mendocino estimates that roughly half of the fire survivors are low to moderate income and living in rental housing.
This grant will allow the Community Foundation of Mendocino County to assist the survivors of the Hopkins Fire in their recovery efforts. The priority is to assist the most vulnerable people and communities with immediate relief, as well as critical recovery efforts to return survivors to greater stability and long-term housing.
Impact snapshot:
In 2021 in response to the Hopkins Fire the foundation awarded Immediate Needs Assistance to 33 households; critical needs assistance to 28 households; and $30,000 to support the United Disaster Relief of Northern California.
Event: Fire
Amount: $25,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
As of 9/7/21, five wildfires are impacting Monument and McFarland Fires in Trinity County, River Complex and McCash in Siskiyou County, and the Knob fire in Humboldt County. The McFarland fire is at 123,000 acres and 98% contained, while the Monument fire is 42% contained at 186,000 acres. The 10% of Trinity county’s 13,000 population was evacuated.
Current trends show that only about 2% of all national philanthropic funds are given to in support of rural communities and 0.02% to Native communities. This grant will help philanthropic funds more equitably serve the rural populations and Native Communities.
Impact snapshot:
This grant was pooled with resources in the Disaster Response and Resilience Fund to make a total of 55 grants for nearly $1.3M using the foundation’s Community Response Team structure from the COVID pandemic to conduct outreach and approve grants. Of these grants, 81% were for fire response or resilience with the remaining funding needs for drought, emergency food response, storm repair, ambulance and emergency services, and the creation of a local Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COADs). Efforts were focused primarily on response activities (67%), while also funding over $427,000 for prevention and resilience efforts. In addition, nearly 60% of grants were directed specifically to Native American communities.
Event: Fire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
From August 18 to 22, the Cache Fire in Lake County destroyed more than 100 structures, including 58 homes, as well as nearly 200 vehicles, resulting in hazardous debris and ash that must be expeditiously removed to mitigate impacts to public health and safety. The funds will be used to address the immediate needs for food, medical and financial support, and to provide one to three months of temporary housing for displaced survivors of the Cache Fire. LCCF funds will be matched with $100,000 contribution by the City of Clearlake; $100,000 from a private foundation, and funds from NCO’s Fire Fund.
Impact snapshot:
By February 2022, six months after the Cache Fire, 75% of the clients who received support from the program found and retained permanent housing and were able to keep their pets. The majority were over 55, living on fixed incomes, some with disabilities, and with limited housing options. The program also offered case management, specific housing assistance, food, and items to address immediate needs and support these individuals through trauma recovery.
Event: Drought
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
100% of Tehama County is now experiencing “extreme drought” with over 83% experiencing “exceptional drought”; the highest possible tier in the NOAA/National Integrated Drought Information System. In June, approx. 10 dry wells were reported; this number nearly septupled by mid-August. Keeping people in their homes and meeting their basic water needs is the primary goal, especially in an area with low housing availability.
This grant will allow the Community Foundation of the North State to be flexible in meeting emergency needs, including participating in Tehama County’s drought task force, increasing the number of available water storage containers, retaining certified water haulers, coordinating between agencies, and other programs to keep community members in their homes.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
The River Fire sparked on Wednesday, August 4th along the Bear River spanning Placer and Nevada counties. As of August 6th it had consumed 2,600 acres with 20 structures damaged, 76 destroyed and three injuries reported. Over 4,300 residents throughout the region of Colfax have been on evacuation orders, 5,375 have been under evacuation warning.
These funds will be prioritized as follows: I. Individuals, families and their animals directly impacted by the fire II. Recovery efforts within the City of Colfax, including fire abatement efforts ongoing III. Support for disaster preparedness within Placer County’s Office of Emergency Services.
Placer Community Foundation’s extensive leadership work to reach low-income and vulnerable families during the 2020 Census, as well as its COVID Harm Reduction and Sleeves Up Vaccination Campaigns, have built strong relationships with vulnerable communities and key nonprofit partners across the region. The Foundation also administers the Placer Collaborative Network, which consists of 50+ health and human service nonprofit and county agency providers.
Impact snapshot:
Including this grant PCF raised $258,101 for the River Fire Fund that provided long-term rent or hotel stays, clothing, food, gas, household furnishings and more support for victims. Grants included:
· $170,601 to the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Foundation to provide cash gift cards 75 affected households ranging from $750 – $4,800 based on level of need.
· $77,500 to the Nevada County Relief Fund (NCRF) to provide cash gift cards to 21 of the 35 households that applied for help, based upon level of need with priority given to those without insurance.
· $10,000 to American Red Cross, CA Gold Region for direct assistance to the 247 people at the evacuation shelters, plus a recovery team at the Assistance Center in Colfax where they helped with fire kits, water, clean up kits and case management to local families.
The work of this grant also strengthened the foundation’s collaborative disaster relief relationships with important partners like Placer County Health and Human Services, Placer County Office of Emergency Services, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the Nevada County Relief Fund.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
Far northern California is often overlooked compared to more populated areas of the state. Approximately 29% of Shasta County’s population is rural, compared to the state average of 5%. One in four residents receive assistance from programs like CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. The average median income is around $55,000, lower than the statewide average of $75,000. Shasta County has a higher number of seniors and a higher rate of people under 65 with disabilities compared to the state average. It is also home to quadruple the California average of Native Americans per capita.
The community has come together to create a new Shasta County Fire Safe Council. These funds will be used for capacity-building administrative expenses as the Shasta County Fire Safe Council activates and begins its community outreach as well as risk mitigation investments like fuel breaks and biomass thinning, consulting with the Pit River Tribe and the Wintun Educational and Cultural Center to comply with cultural preservation best practices.
Impact snapshot:
This grant helped launch the Shasta Fire Safe Council. Within one year SFSC obtained 501(c)3 status, formed an 11-member board, secured office space, hired its first two employees, won three major grants for fuel reduction totaling over $15M, delivered a series of home ignition prevention workshops, and revived the local Fire Prevention Outreach program that had been defunct for 15 years.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $5,000
Category: Resilience
Capacity grant for the community foundation to complete the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Preparedness Workbook that is customized and continually updated to provide a central source of institutional information and processes in the event of a disaster.
Event: General
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
As part of the Sonoma County Resilience Fund Healing strategy, Community Foundation Sonoma County has invested in local nonprofit organizations that provide accessible and affordable mental health services and awareness to the community. Two new areas of need have emerged this year:
- A facilitated peer cohort program to take their partnership to the next level, both in exploring solutions to shared challenges and in studying the larger mental and behavioral health sector gaps and barriers in the community from a systemic approach.
- Specific capacity-building support to allow these organizations to invest in their infrastructure, staff, and planning for the future.
This matched grant will provide operating support to the nonprofits, compensate cohort participants for their time, and connect them with expert trainers.
Impact snapshot:
In 2021 and 2022 CFSC provided operating grants and cohort participation stipends to four core mental-health services agencies operating across Sonoma County.
NAMI Sonoma County provides a warmline and referral service for the local community. This grant helped NAMI offer a family support group for Spanish-speakers. Humanidad Therapy & Education Services is the single local mental health organization with the largest capacity for affordable bilingual/bicultural therapy. This grant helped Humanidad focus on recruitment and retention amidst a scarcity of bilingual, bicultural therapists. Lomi Counseling Clinic began offering free therapy services to wildfire survivors immediately after the Tubbs disaster. To date, Lomi has provided over 1,000 hours of therapy to wildfire survivors. This grant helped Lomi onboard a new group of therapists in September of 2021. SOS Community Counseling is a collective of mental health therapists, associates, trainees and supervisors working together to address the mental health needs of the community. This grant allowed them to continue providing consistent and accessible therapy to achieve meaningful progress with clients.
In the learning cohort these four agencies strengthened their collaboration, learned from one another, and gained technical skills in finance and operations management. One participant shared that “the most valuable components of this project will likely be the structured workshops on measuring long-term financial liability and validating the need for developing financial reserves.”
2020 Grants
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
The Slater Fire devastated Happy Camp, a rural community in Siskiyou County, in September 2020. Two people perished, dozens of businesses were lost, one third of the housing inventory was destroyed, and the entire community was under evacuation orders. With a poverty rate of 30% and limited access to essential services, Happy Camp is one of the poorest communities in the state. Most residents are 55 years old or older, and many were uninsured renters who lost their homes. As the headquarters of the Karuk Tribe, nearly 25% of Happy Camp residents identify as Native American. With limited resources and unlikely FEMA support, this grant will provide crucial assistance to the vulnerable members of the community as they begin their recovery journey.
Impact snapshot:
This grant was matched with other funds for a total of over $366,000 for the Happy Camp Relief Fund. In the first seven months after the fire: $150,000 in direct aid reached over 700 survivors including over 100 children; Siskiyou Community Food Bank received a grant to honor culturally appropriate food preferences of survivors; a key grantee took the lead in coordinating local response through the Slater Fire Long Term Recovery Group; and $50,000 was deployed to convert a local church building into a dorm for construction crews.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $30,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
2020 was the worst fire season on record in California with more than 4.2 million acres and 10,488 built structures and the loss of 33 lives. As a community located on the wild-urban interface (WUI), the Tahoe Truckee region has always been on the alert for wildfire. Meanwhile the pandemic has highlighted gaps in coordination between agencies, alignment of data and messaging, and the stability of the nonprofit safety net.
Funding from this grant will allow TTCF to adapt the Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) model from the Napa Valley Community Foundation. This grant will ensure that the planning process for a new COAD is focused on serving “the least and the last” and is developed through an equity lens, including targeted outreach to non-English speaking residents, isolated and elderly residents, residents experiencing homelessness and residents separated from resources by the digital divide.
Impact snapshot:
TTCF vetted and hired an experienced consultant to help lay the groundwork for a COAD/VOAD model for the region. We facilitated 5 community stakeholder meetings between July and December 2021with over 30 participating organizations, including elected officials, county personnel from both Nevada and Placer counties, public safety and law enforcement, other local jurisdictions, nonprofits, and various coalitions. Progress and outcomes:
- Reviewed COAD best practices
- Gathered input from stakeholders to inform recommendations
- Determined organizational model
- Agreed on function teams
- Drafted a COAD Blueprint to guide implementation
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Recovery
Proposal summary:
The CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Santa Cruz County has caused significant destruction, surpassing the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. With over 1,400 structures destroyed and many residents displaced, CFSCC is providing emergency financial assistance to undocumented individuals, immigrant families, and low-income families through their Fire Relief Fund. They are also partnering with United Policyholders to help families navigate insurance claims. In preparation for mudslides in fire-affected areas, CFSCC is collaborating with the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Additionally, grants are being made to environmental restoration projects at Big Basin State Park to support local residents and small businesses.
Impact snapshot:
This grant has helped the community foundation support hundreds of residents to work through the insurance and rebuilding process, provided rental assistance for displaced families, and connected survivors to other long-term recovery resources. The foundation helped establish a Long-Term Recovery Group, and held dozens of Recovery workshops, Survivor to Survivor forums, Q&A forums, and bimonthly information fairs in the affected communities. More than 2,500 residents have accessed online recovery resources that the foundation’s grantee partners have made available. Over 700 residents have used the foundation’s wildfire recovery library.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
Proposal summary:
Three large fires have impacted Del Norte, Trinity, and Humboldt counties this Fall, burning over 1.1 million acres, destroying over 500 structures, and taking two lives. The rural regions of the Humboldt area are often underserved by state and federal resources, and Native communities have historically been neglected in relief efforts. This grant aims to close the gap in federal and philanthropic support by focusing on Tribal Nations and nonprofits serving evacuees. Funding will be used for shelter, food, safety supplies, and evolving needs as the fires continue. With only 2% of national philanthropy dollars going to rural communities and 0.02% to Native communities, this grant will make a significant impact.
Impact snapshot:
Over 60% of funds granted from our Disaster Response and Resilience Fund were directed specifically to Native American communities. Funds also helped us support the county COAD, fund the startup of a Tribal/non-Tribal prescribed burn association, and advocate for BIPOC communities such as working with a rural food bank to source culturally appropriate food for the local Hmong and Lao communities that have been impacted by overlapping crises of wildfires, drought, and COVID.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief
The Creek Fire (Fresno/Madera Counties) and Sequoia Complex Fire (Tulare County) resulted in major evacuations, significant structure loss, and burned an unprecedented 450,000+ acres across three counties. Due to the increased fire risk from high tree mortality in all three counties, many homeowners struggled to obtain insurance even before the fires.
All communities impacted by this region rely heavily on recreation and tourism dollars to survive. Already hit hard by the pandemic, these businesses were shut down at the height of their season and remain unable to open due to major destruction of landscape, safety concerns with the remaining trees in the area and extremely poor air quality. With no source of income coming in and traffic limitations to the areas, their economy has been cut off to the outside world.
Many who live and work in this area have been permanently displaced, while many others are living in temporary hotel housing in the Central Valley. This situation has created a virtual ghost town in this part of the Sierras.
This grant will provide direct financial assistance to those most in need in the Central Sierra Nevada’s. In addition, funding provided to the Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department will support the only emergency medical care for the community whose next closest medical facility is located an hour away in Clovis, CA
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Resilience
Proposal summary:
The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) created the Monterey County Fire Relief Fund to assist communities affected by recent fires, including the River Fire, Carmel Fire, and Dolan Fire. This grant will support a public/private partnership to develop a Community Resilience plan for the county, protecting the most vulnerable from future disasters. The funding will be matched by the United Way of Monterey County to support a Community Resiliency Coordinator, who will oversee emergency management, relief, and recovery efforts. The LCCF grant will ensure the continuation of community resilience planning in Monterey County.
Impact snapshot:
This grant leveraged an additional $100,000 from the United Way to fund an Assisting Emergency Services Manager position for two years. Right away the Community Resilience Emergency Manager was essential in responding to three major fires in the County in addition to supporting the work of the COVID-19 Collaborative.
Event: Wildfire
Amount: $100,000
Category: Relief, Recovery, Resilience
Proposal summary:
This grant will provide immediate relief and recovery to survivors of the 2020 Oak Fire and August Complex Fire in Mendocino County, and to the Community Resiliency and Disaster Preparedness Fund to help build community resiliency and prepare for future disasters.
Following previous fires, the Foundation has led recovery efforts and established the Resiliency Fund to proactively build community readiness. As chair of Mendocino-ROC, they’ve prioritized equitable support for those most affected by fires.
Mendocino County, spanning around 3,878 square miles, is largely rural and forested, housing a population of 88,000 across scattered areas. Many small communities struggle to maintain emergency services and require assistance in disaster preparedness. With 21 local fire departments, many relying solely on volunteers, isolated regions face heightened vulnerability during crises. The county’s population includes a sizable tribal (approx. 6%) and Latino (approx. 26%) demographic. Certain areas, like Round Valley, home to a significant Native American reservation, bear the brunt of vulnerability during disasters. Mendocino County grapples with limited transportation, broadband internet, and cell phone coverage, particularly in outlying areas, exacerbating challenges during emergencies.
Impact snapshot: