The Dodgers have pledged $100 million to the fire relief fund. So far? $7.8 million
Not long after Pacific Palisades and Altadena burned, Gov. Gavin Newsom summoned reporters and television cameras to Dodger Stadium. Newsom descended backstage across the parking lot, with a commanding view of Los Angeles as a backdrop.
He was there to launch LA Rises, a signature initiative where the private sector and philanthropists could come together to help Southern California rebuild and recover.
Most important player that day: Mark Walter, Dodgers chairman and controlling owner. The big announcement: Walter and two of his associated charities — his family foundation and the Dodgers foundation — will contribute up to $100 million as an “initial commitment” to LA Rises.
“We should applaud that,” Dodgers owner Magic Johnson told the assembled media. “One hundred million dollars, that’s outstanding.”
A year later, the Newsom initiative has struggled to distinguish itself among the myriad wildfire relief efforts. LA Rises has raised $20 million so far, including $7.8 million from Walter’s family foundation, according to Newsom’s office.
“If it’s $20 million after one year, after such a terrible event, and since Los Angeles has the capacity to meet that goal, I would expect to hear more commitment, at least,” said Casey Rogers, founder of Santa Barbara-based Telea Insights, which advises philanthropists and nonprofit leaders.
“Maybe all those obligations would not be paid. Maybe they would be obligations for many years. But it would be close to the goal.”
Walter is standing by his pledge, said Dodgers president Stan Kasten. A representative from Newsom’s office said Walter’s offer did not come with a timeline.
“I know we haven’t used all 100 yet,” Kasten said, “but this is a long-term commitment.”
Instead of asking for large donations upfront and deciding how to spend the money later, LA Rises chooses to identify “impact investment opportunities” as they arise and then “coordinate financial support from a variety of private, public and philanthropic donors, including the Walter Family Foundation,” said Dee Dee Myers, director of Newsom’s office of business and economic development.
Of the Walter’s foundation’s contributions, $5 million went toward grants for small businesses, workers and nonprofits affected, with $2.8 million going to Pasadena City College to develop and expand technical education programs to train workers who can help rebuild their communities.
LA Rises also sponsors programs that include day camps and mental health interventions for children affected by the fires; the planning of improved buildings and permits for survivors who wish to rebuild; and Habitat for Humanity’s support in building new homes and rebuilding damaged ones.
“The administration is very grateful for any philanthropic dollars that go toward rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles,” Myers said.
The competition for those dollars is intense. The Milken Institute reported that private donations related to wildfire relief — from individuals, organizations and other organizations — reached nearly $1 billion last year.
“I know there’s a lot of money that’s been paid into different programs,” Kasten said, “and there’s been a re-examination of how LA Rises is being spent and what base money is being spent from the Dodgers.” We continue to work hard with many groups in this crisis.
“There are ongoing discussions about different programs and different ways to fund things. We’re still very involved in this, both with LA Rises and other agencies.”
Kasten did not prohibit Walter from shifting some or all of his remaining sponsorship commitments to an organization outside of LA Rises.
“I don’t know exactly which organization we will work with officially – or do it separately – but we are absolutely committed to helping those programs that need that kind of help,” he said. “We have done a lot, and we can do a lot.”
