California Community Foundation pledges sustained recovery support after fires, cites $30M rapid distribution

Miguel Santana, president and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF), told attendees at Pasadena’s mayor’s interfaith prayer breakfast that the foundation would remain “with all of you for the long haul” after recent fires and other community crises.

"We will be here. We'll stand with you for as long as it takes," Santana said, describing a rapid philanthropic response that included distributing more than $30,000,000 within 30 days and mobilizing roughly $100,000,000 from some 50,000 donors to support recovery in the wake of the fires.

Santana said CCF has prioritized not only rebuilding structures but also addressing trauma and rebuilding community ties. He described a Department of Angels initiative intended to center the voices of survivors and community leaders in recovery decisions and said CCF recently provided roughly $8,000,000 in grants devoted to pastoral care, mental health and community healing spaces.

The keynote also referenced survey findings CCF has used to shape recovery work: Santana said about 70 percent of survey respondents who are survivors reported they are still not back in their homes; nearly half have exhausted or significantly depleted savings; many insurance benefits are expected to run out within six months; and more than 80 percent reported worsened mental health since the fires.

Mayor Victor Gordo, who introduced Santana, framed the morning theme as both rising and standing together, praising the faith community’s response to displacement, raids affecting immigrant neighbors, and fire recovery efforts.

Santana urged attendees to hold philanthropic and public institutions accountable while reiterating CCF’s commitment to long-term partnership with affected communities. Certificates and a commemorative plate were presented to Santana in recognition of the foundation’s disaster response work.