As wildfires rage throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas, they continue to leave a trail of devastation: 25 people have died so far, thousands are displaced, and more than 12,000 homes, businesses, and cultural institutions destroyed. The city’s air quality also is under watch. And work is still underway to extinguish the flames. As of January 16, 2025, more than 170,000 people remain under evacuation notices CNN reports.
In response to these extraordinary circumstances, the design community is stepping up to support those in need, encouraging others to follow suit. While large organizations like the American Red Cross, Pasadena Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, and the L.A. Food Bank are doing their part to help wildfire victims, many grassroots efforts also are underway. From brands opening their showroom doors to collect essential items to GoFundMe campaigns to help those in need, we’ve rounded up a list of go-to resources in and beyond the design community.
Resources To Help L.A. Wildfire Victims
Claudia Afshar Design: The studio is collaborating with local nonprofits and families in need to coordinate donations of homeware essentials and other necessities. Please reach out to [email protected] to contribute.
CW Architects: “We stand by ready to help in whatever ways we can in the recovery and rebuilding of this beautiful City of Angels,” firm leaders stated in an Instagram post this week. CW Architects also has made donations to the L.A. Fire Department Foundation and World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those in need, and encourages anyone who has the means to do the same.
Current Home: The brand is donating 10% of all January sales to the Baby2Baby Foundation, a nonprofit that supports vulnerable children and families, which is providing much needed emergency supplies and disaster relief to L.A. wildfire victims.
Materials and Applications: This L.A. cultural center is accepting monetary donations with 100% of funds going toward aid supplies for wildfire victims. M&A also is accepting physical donations for essential items, such as tarps, tents, flashlights and more at the M&A Storefront Project Space, 1313 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026.
Roger Thomas and Quintus: Quintus CEO Jobi Blachy, created a GoFundMe with 100% of donations going to help those in the design community who have lost homes or studios due to wildfires. To amplify this critical effort, Roger and his husband, Arthur Libera, are matching $15,000 in donations.
Saint Olio: This clean fragrance company is donating 100% of proceeds from purchases of each Body Refresher sold through the end of January to World Central Kitchen to help L.A. wildfire victims.
Thomas Cooper Studio: On January 29, 2025, the studio will a “LUMINAIRES + LUMINARIES” Open House event at their East L.A.-based facilities, with 100% of the proceeds going towards wildfire relief efforts. The studio is currently accepting donations for the evening’s raffle to further support relief efforts.
Una Malan: The brand is accepting donations for essential items at its L.A. showroom located at 800 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles 90069. Needed supplies include protective masks, clean blankets, perishable food, hygiene items, new sock, as well as pet supplies.
A plume of smoke from a wildfire forms over the city’s basin Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)