Nonprofits and FireAid organizers reject a House Republican-led report that alleged "apparent misuse" of donations raised at last year’s FireAid benefit. The GOP review says about $2 million of roughly $100 million went to 11 organizations, prompting calls for transparency from Rep. Kevin Kiley. FireAid points to an independent Latham & Watkins audit that found no evidence of fraud and says grants — including $250,000 to 911 At Ease International — funded services like music therapy for first responders. Local reporting also found many grantees asserting that funds reached fire-affected communities.
FireAid Donations Under Scrutiny — Organizers, Grantees Push Back Against House GOP Report
Nonprofit groups and FireAid organizers are disputing a House Republican-led federal review that accused the benefit concert of "apparent misuse of charitable donations." The review, led in part by Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), says roughly 11 recipient organizations received about $2 million of the roughly $100 million raised.
Allegations and Call for Accountability
Rep. Kevin Kiley, who helped initiate the inquiry after social media posts raised questions about whether survivors received promised aid, said the report "highlights where the funds were not used in the way that the donors would likely have wanted them to be used." He called for greater transparency and urged a federal investigation.
"Now, we've learned that this money didn't go to the victims at all," Kiley said. "Let's get to the bottom of this. Let's get transparency. Let's get accountability."
FireAid’s Response and Independent Audit
FireAid organizers have repeatedly rejected the report's conclusions. In September they released an independent audit by law firm Latham & Watkins that traced grant distributions and, according to the firm, found no evidence of fraud or misappropriation.
In a statement, FireAid said the audit "affirms that FireAid's grantmaking was transparent, mission-aligned, and impactful for fire-affected communities across Los Angeles." Organizers say they honored a pledge to distribute funds to vetted, established nonprofits serving Altadena, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
Examples From Recipients
One cited recipient, 911 At Ease International, received $250,000 and said it used the grant to provide music therapy and counseling to 85 first responders affected by the wildfires. Founder Mike McGrew described the services as life-changing for some participants.
Pasadena firefighter Chien Yu, who fought the Eaton Fire for 36 hours and later lost his home, said music therapy helped him process trauma: "It feels good to kind of let it out ... I think it's a worthy cause. It helped me get through what I went through."
Report Details and Responses
The House Judiciary Committee's report also notes a $100,000 transfer to the California Native Vote Project and questioned whether that organization provided wildfire relief. FireAid said the California Native Vote Project delivered microgrants and health-and-wellness workshops for about 300 survivors and provided the organizers with a breakdown of funds sent to the organizations named in the report.
Local reporting by CBS Los Angeles reviewed many grantees — including animal shelters, food banks and child-care centers — and reported that those organizations said FireAid fulfilled its commitments and helped residents affected by the fires.
What Comes Next?
The dispute centers on differing interpretations of where and how funds were allocated: House Republican investigators say the distribution did not sufficiently benefit fire victims, while FireAid and many recipient nonprofits say the grants supported recovery services and direct aid. Calls for additional oversight and clearer public reporting on large charitable drives are likely to continue as both sides press their case.
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