To help people affected by the Los Angeles fires, start with LA County’s current donation guidance. The county says its one-stop donation portal is in development and, until it is available, recommends monetary gifts to verified, reputable charities listed by Emergency Network Los Angeles (ENLA), including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and California Community Foundation. Check the county page and the charity’s own donation page before giving, since guidance and available funds can change.
Where to donate to help people affected by the Los Angeles fires
Open LA County’s donation guidance yourself and confirm whether its planned portal is now live. If it is not, follow the county’s current advice to give through a reputable organization listed by ENLA. The county identifies the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and California Community Foundation as examples. Use each organization’s official site to confirm its legal identity, current fire-relief purpose, and donation destination before entering payment details.
California’s statewide 2025 Los Angeles fires recovery hub is another official entry point for changing public assistance and recovery information. It is not a substitute for the county’s donation guidance.
How to check that a charity is legitimate
California charities operating in the state and fundraisers soliciting there must register and file annual financial reports, according to the California Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of the Attorney General. Search the DOJ’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers for the organization, then review its status and available filings. Registry presence is a useful verification step, not an endorsement of a particular appeal or fire-relief campaign.
#1 Best Overall
Confirm the organization’s legal name and mission independently, using contact information and a website address you find yourself rather than details supplied in an unsolicited message. For an unfamiliar charity, ask for written information about how it plans to help people affected by the fires.
Check how the gift will be used
Review what the charity reports about spending on its programs compared with overhead and compensation. If you want your gift directed to a specific fire-relief program, do not assume a general “Donate” button restricts it. DOJ says you may need to contact the charity to ask whether the gift can be designated for that program and how it will be handled.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
How to evaluate crowdfunding and individual fundraisers
Crowdfunding requires checks beyond confirming that a platform or campaign page exists. Establish who ultimately receives the money—a charity, the platform, or an individual—and verify the organizer and intended beneficiary independently. Read the campaign and platform terms to determine what share, if any, goes to the intended purpose and what fees apply. A campaign mentioning a charity does not by itself establish that the charity controls or receives the funds.
California DOJ’s Los Angeles fires guidance puts it plainly: “Before providing any monetary aid to those claiming to provide direct assistance to victims of this wildfire, take your time to research before giving.” The advice applies whether the appeal arrives by text, social media, email, phone, or a campaign page.
Recommended Free Tools
What to do when someone solicits a donation by phone
Before agreeing to a telephone solicitation, ask for the fundraising organization’s name and registration status, the beneficiary charity, and how proceeds are divided between charitable purposes and the telemarketer’s payment. Request the charity’s direct phone number, then independently find and call the charity to verify the solicitation and its terms. Do not rely solely on a number or link provided by the caller.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to avoid impersonation and phishing scams
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) warns that scammers may pose as insurance agents, banks, government officials, relief agencies, or relatives connected with the Los Angeles fires. Its Los Angeles fires fraud guidance, updated February 5, 2026, advises getting information directly from the official source.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
- Be cautious with unexpected links, QR codes, and requests for sensitive personal or financial information.
- If a person claims to represent a government agency, bank, insurer, or relief organization, find the organization’s official contact channel independently and verify the request there.
- Do not let urgency or pressure prevent you from checking the recipient and the purpose of the payment.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
