The Ventura County Community Disaster Relief Fund was created in December 2017 to address the mid- to long-term needs of Ventura County to recover and rebuild from the devastating fires that have struck our community.
The Thomas Fire started on December 4, 2017 and burned 281,893 acres (~440 square miles) during December and January, making it the largest fire in California history. It destroyed more than 1000 structures, caused the evacuation of more than 100,000 people and claimed 2 lives. VCCF created this Disaster Relief Fund to respond to this disaster and help our community recover and rebuild from the devastation in caused.
Disasters are chaotic, but the response shouldn't be. With 30 years of experience in philanthropy we know how to make strategic, thoughtful and impactful grants. In the aftermath of a disaster, the immediate relief needs are clear. Recovery and rebuilding is more complex and depends on each community's needs. While we can't predict what those needs will be, we will use our experience to convene our nonprofit partners, collaborate with our community and conduct due diligence in our support.
When a disaster strikes, on average 73% goes to immediate relief, while the recovery and rebuilding process can take up to 10 years. We know there will be significant and long-term needs for our fellow community members to rebuild their lives. Long after media attention has shifted away from our community, we will be here, committed to providing support that addresses the most critical needs of our nonprofits and their clients.
