The House Judiciary Committee has released an interim staff report that raises concerns about the use of charitable donations by FireAid, a fundraising initiative created to support wildfire victims in Southern California. According to the report, internal documents indicate that FireAid diverted funds intended for fire victims to other causes, including political advocacy groups, administrative costs for non-profits, and support for undocumented migrants.
FireAid had promoted its benefit concert by assuring donors that all proceeds would go directly to those affected by the California wildfires. However, the committee's findings show otherwise. Of the $100 million raised, $75 million was distributed among 188 non-profit organizations. These grants included $100,000 for voter participation efforts aimed at Native Americans, $550,000 to organizations engaged in political advocacy, unspecified amounts allocated toward undocumented migrants, $100,000 directed to podcasters, and more than $500,000 spent on bonuses, salaries, and consultants within various non-profits.
An internal report commissioned by FireAid revealed that Altadena Talks Foundation received a grant of $100,000 intended for wildfire relief but instead used these funds to produce podcasts discussing the wildfires on a technology-focused show.
A February 2025 grant report listed Community Organized Relief Efforts' (CORE) "priority groups" targeted with FireAid funding. The list included "Undocumented Migrants," whom CORE described as being "at high risk of housing instability, economic hardship, exploitation, and homelessness."
The committee noted that while current documents shed light on some recipients of FireAid's donations from its benefit concert fundraising efforts, additional information is needed to fully understand how all funds were used. The committee stated it will continue its investigation in order to promote legislative reforms aimed at protecting donors from fraud and ensuring the integrity of charitable contributions following federal disasters.
"The Committee will continue to follow the facts to help advance legislative reforms that protect benevolent Americans from fraud and safeguard the integrity of charitable donations following federal disasters," according to the House Judiciary Committee.
