January 28, 2025 – SACRAMENTO, CA — The Jay Pritzker Foundation has donated $1 million to support the California Community Colleges Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund, which is providing vital aid to students, faculty, and staff impacted by this month’s devastating wildfires in Southern California. The ongoing emergency has impacted more than a dozen Los Angeles-area colleges and counting as fires continue to burn in the region. 

The Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC), provides community colleges in impacted areas with funds to help its community members who have lost homes or been forced to evacuate due to the fires. Donations to the fund help cover relocation costs, temporary housing, transportation, clothing, and food, as well as replace essential equipment, such as lost or destroyed computers.

“We were inspired to donate after hearing stories of how the community colleges have been coming together to support and uplift the communities they serve during this difficult time. We hope that our contribution will make a meaningful impact in the lives of students in need.” — Dan and Karen Pritzker, Jay Pritzker Foundation

Community colleges throughout Southern California have become centers of relief for those in need over the past few weeks during the wildfires. Pasadena City College, a recipient of the Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund, served as a community hub for the Eaton Fire, hosting relief organizations onsite that provided food, water, and clothing to thousands of local residents. Santa Monica College served as a center for first responders, and Los Angeles Pierce College is housing animals that were evacuated from the Palisades Fire.

“California community colleges are not only educational institutions; they are the beating heart of their communities, serving as vital centers for disaster response and recovery. This generous donation from the Jay Pritzker Foundation will allow us to support more students, faculty, and staff whose lives have been upended by the current disaster and ensure that we can continue to be a lifeline for those in need during challenging times.” — Keetha Mills, President and CEO, FoundationCCC

In addition to the $1 million donation, a record number of generous donors, including individuals, businesses, family foundations, and organizations, have contributed to meet the enormous need created by the current wildfires. 

“This fund helps our students who were directly impacted by these historic wildfires by providing immediate funds for basic needs like emergency housing, groceries, and transportation. I am thankful for Dan and Karen Pritzker of the Jay Pritzker Foundation, who continue to recognize the vital role community colleges play as a hub for the community—especially during emergencies when they become the go-to place for support.” — Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor, California Community Colleges

FoundationCCC serves as the official nonprofit supporting the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest system of higher education, with 116 colleges serving 2 million students across the state. Since the devastating Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa in 2017, FoundationCCC, in partnership with the California Community Colleges, has distributed funds to more than 30 colleges, including recent grants to Butte College, Feather River College, and Shasta College during the Park Fire; Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College during the Line and Bridge Fires; and Moorpark College during the Mountain Fire. This support has helped recipients recover, rebuild, and continue their educational journeys despite the devastation of wildfires and other disasters. 

In addition to direct disaster relief, FoundationCCC works toward long-term community climate resilience through programs such as the Resilient Careers in Forestry program. This program aims to create job opportunities in forestry, helping to prevent future wildfires by recruiting and training local residents for careers in this vital field.

For more information about the Foundation for California Community Colleges and the Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund, please visit foundationccc.org/wildfire.

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About the Foundation for California Community Colleges

The Foundation for California Community Colleges works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by accelerating paths to economic and social mobility, strengthening communities, and reducing barriers to opportunities for all Californians. FoundationCCC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1998. It serves as the official statewide nonprofit organization supporting the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation. For more information, visit www.foundationccc.org.