Two-Night Livestream Raises $266,836 from 571 Donors, Convenes Creators for Communities in Crisis after L.A. Fires
A generous community of donors inspired by two nights of live music and community testimonials has pledged $266,836 to relief and recovery efforts in the wake of among the most destructive fires in California history. The money was raised online during “LA CHECK IN” presented by the Annenberg Foundation in collaboration with will.i.am’s i.am Angel Foundation, Derrick “D-Nice” Jones, DJ Hed and actor-philanthropist Etienne Maurice (WalkGoodLA) last week.
With more than 60 percent of gifts coming in from outside of California, supporters gave an average of $70 and were bolstered by anonymous corporate and foundation matches, including five- and six-figure gifts from L.A. foundations. will.i.am contributed $100,000 in addition to use of the FYI Campus in Hollywood for the event. The R&S Kayne Foundation, which matched nearly $50,000 of community gifts, conveyed its gratitude to “all those engaged in emergency response,” and thanked LA CHECK IN’s hosts for “reminding us that we are better together.” Actor Nick Cannon also sent his support with a $2,500 donation.
Among the nonprofit and aid organizations designated to receive proceeds from LA CHECK IN are those who are working on the frontlines to support:
- First responders
- Evacuees – including families, students, animals, artists, and immigrants
- Displaced domestic, outdoor and day-labor workers
LA CHECK IN featured appearances by celebrities and community nonprofit organizations including:
Celebrity guests
- Actor Niecy Nash
- Host Jeannie Mai
- MC Lyte
- Actor-ComedianAffion Crockett
- Actor Sheryl Lee Ralph
- Actor Wendy Raquel Robinson
- Big Boy
- Samantha Ronson
- Imogen Heap
- Fitz and the Tantrums
- X. Eyeé, Malo Santo
Nonprofits
- Vera Kuznetsova, Team Rubicon
- Paula Daniels, Los Angeles County Office of Food Equity
- Marco Covarrubias, Inclusive Action for the City
- Maegan Ortiz, Instituto de Popular Educación del Sur de California (IDEPSCA)
- Kyle Goodwin and Aliyah Redding, “Teens4LA Fire Relief”
- Randy Savvy, Compton Cowboys
