 Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE): Los Angelas Wildfires

Type of Opportunity: Grant 

Grant Information: 
Founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, CORE is a global humanitarian non-profit organization that brings immediate relief and long-term recovery solutions to
underserved communities. When a crisis strikes, CORE responds immediately to fill gaps, mobilize resources, and establish trust and collaboration from within communities.

For more information, go to www.coreresponse.org and follow CORE on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X).
 
CORE is responding to the LA wildfires to support impacted and underserved households and to complement relief and recovery services available from other
providers. One of CORE’s response activities is direct cash assistance. Enrollment in CORE’s cash assistance program is done on a rolling basis and designed to reach
those most in need and not supported by other cash programs.

CORE’s eligibility criteria for households under this first round of assistance are:
• have had homes or employment directly impacted by the wildfire
• unable to meet basic needs (food, transportation, rent, utilities, etc.)
• have members who are young children, have chronic disease, disability, or are elderly
• need to purchase emergency supplies (e.g. air purifiers) or emergency air supplies related to power outages.

For future rounds of assistance from CORE, participants will be selected based on a scoring system that evaluates vulnerability using data collected from a questionnaire.
Each household is assessed in three areas:
1. family composition,
2. socioeconomic needs and living conditions, and
3. household damage and food security.

Each factor is scored equally, and all scores add up to 100. Households with higher vulnerability scores (close to 100) are prioritized for assistance. CORE and partners will conduct verification of the information collected. This method ensures fairness and consistency in selecting participants.
 
What happens after I complete the intake survey with CORE?

Once CORE, or one of our community partners, has conducted a registration survey, we will review the data you provided and eligibility to finalize selection of cash recipients for this round.
 

We will reach out via the phone number you provided (either as a text or call) to let you know the result whether you qualify or not. Not everyone who registers will be selected for assistance.
 
What does our household have to do to register for assistance and be assessed for eligibility?
 
Just fill out CORE’s questionnaire. There are no conditions or documentation required to receive this round of assistance other than registration and eligibility, without any expectation of anything from you in return. No one in your household needs to give anyone (CORE staff, other service providers, other households, people in other positions of authority, staff at points of sale) favors, promises, cash, items, or anything else.

What does our household have to do to register for assistance and be assessed for eligibility?

Just fill out CORE’s questionnaire. There are no conditions or documentation required to receive this round of assistance other than registration and eligibility, without any expectation of anything from you in return. No one in your household needs to give anyone (CORE staff, other service providers, other households, people in other positions of authority, staff at points of sale) favors, promises, cash, items, or anything else.

What should I do if someone does request that I do anything other than answer CORE’s questionnaire to register for cash assistance?
If anyone tries to request favors, promises, cash, items, or anything else in return for registering for assistance, that is a violation of your rights. Sexual exploitation or abuse is a violation of CORE’s code of conduct and is a reason for staff to be dismissed and terminated. You can report complaints, including any instances of abuse by calling 1-844-939-4944. A third-party hotline provider, EthicsPoint, hosts this hotline. Someone fluent in English and Spanish will be able to assist you. You can report anonymously.

After you complete your report, you will be assigned a unique code called a report key; Write down your report key and password and
keep them in a safe place. After 5-6 business days, use your report key and password to check your report for feedback or questions. 
 
Our active response includes: 
— Distributing cash vouchers so people can purchase items to meet their unique and urgent needs. 
— Providing thousands of free resources such as N95 masks, hygiene kits, and respiratory checks, as well as helping people with FEMA applications.

— Assisting local shelters by supplying WiFi, charging stations, and cellphone batteries so people can communicate with their loved ones and get critical updates and
information.
— Setting up the CORE Kids Corner, a protected and fun space for children of all ages and their guardians to connect and play at the Pasadena shelter.

To power these ongoing efforts, please donate to CORE today. In times of crisis, choosing to give monthly can make a lasting impact throughout the long road to
recovery.
Why Cash Assistance? 
CORE is proud to be one of select organizations providing cash assistance as part of our response to the Los Angeles fires. Cash assistance gives power and flexibility back to the people actually impacted by disasters, so they have the freedom to prioritize their unique needs. It provides the dignity of choice, which can mean so much after losing everything.

Learn more information about our cash assistance program for Angelenos that have been impacted by the wild fires at:  https://www.coreresponse.org/wp-
content/uploads/2025/02/CORE-California-Wildfire-FAQ-Eng-Registration-020625.pdf 

CORE’s response will evolve as families and businesses recover over the next few years. Looking forward, we will continue providing cash assistance and comprehensive disaster case management support to help our community rebuild stronger. 

If I am eligible and selected to receive cash assistance, do I need to report the assistance received on my taxes?
Financial assistance provided by CORE is classified under the IRS’s “charitable gift status” and is not considered taxable income for the recipient. However, if the total
amount of financial assistance or other cash/asset gifts received in 2025 from any service provider, including but not limited to CORE, exceeds $19,000 in a single year per household, recipients are required to report the excess amount to IRS.

Application Deadline: Applications are currently accepted on an ongoing basis. 

Eligible Organizations and/or Residents:
 For-Profit Organizations
 Individuals or Students
 International Organizations
 Non-Profits (with an IRS designation)
 Religious Organizations
 Schools, Colleges, Universities

 Small Businesses
Grant Contact Information
Contact Name:
Website:
https://www.coreresponse.org/southern-california-wildfires/?c_src=wildfire
Phone: 1 (323) 934 4400
Email: information@coreresponse.org
Funder Contact Information: CORE – Community Organized Relief Effort 
910 N Hill St 
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 1 (323) 934 4400
Altadena Disaster Recovery Center
540 W Woodbury Rd. Altadena, CA 91001
Monday – Saturday, 10 AM-6 PM
Westside Disaster Recovery Center
UCLA Research Park West 
10850 West Pico Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90064 
Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, 10 AM-6 PM
Pasadena Convention Center – Evacuation Shelter
300 E Green St. 
Pasadena, CA 91101 
If you are a member of the media and would like to speak with one of our experts about our response, please contact CORE at press@coreresponse.org