The Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief Fund

Last year, devastating wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, swept through the Los Angeles area, displacing thousands of Caltech and JPL employees and leaving hundreds without their homes. In the days that followed, it was easy to feel shock, disbelief, and a sense of being powerless.

But in those same days, the Caltech and JPL community sprang into action. Thanks to the generous, heartfelt support of the Caltech community, a relief fund was organized almost immediately, and within a matter of weeks, funds and associated assistance were being distributed directly to staff, faculty, and students who had lost their homes, property, and communities.

That fast action helped instill a positive energy in our community and set hundreds on a more solid path to recovery in the year to come.

Outpouring of Support
We are grateful to all who contributed. A total of more than $5.3 million was raised from 4,426 individual gifts—a remarkable amount in every way, and one which demonstrates the genuine impact and care of our community.

We are humbled by the outpouring of support from so many who are inspired by the work of Caltech and JPL, and the many who also helped raise awareness across social media and through grassroots fundraisers. Moreover, we are deeply indebted to the firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to protect both lives and facilities.

Here are just a few updated facts and figures that demonstrate the impact our community has had for those in need:

• More than 1,700 grant applications have been processed and more than $4.5 million has been distributed.
• Each beneficiary has received up to $10,000 in grant support based on need.
• 100% of the Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief funds raised will be distributed to faculty, JPL employees, staff, postdocs, and students impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires to help them navigate the challenges of recovery.
• Common expenses include temporary housing, repairing damaged homes and property, safely cleaning smoke-damaged belongings, child and elder care, and unanticipated personal incidentals.
• Gifts came in from as far as Iceland and Germany and as near as our own campus and JPL neighbors.
• More than 775 current and former Caltech and JPL staff and faculty members were inspired to donate and support our colleagues and students.
• More than 2,330 of those who gave to the fund were first-time donors to Caltech.
• 2,000+ heartfelt notes and messages of hope accompanied fund donations.

Additional Resources
For campus updates and resources such as mental health and emergency services, please visit the Caltech emergency updates page: https://www.caltech.edu/emergency.

To assist members of the community as they respond to the fires, the Institute has curated information and resources on a centralized website at Caltech.edu/fires.