The letter acknowledged that not all requests for funding can be met, citing limited resources and the scale of the disaster
The Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) detailed how it is managing community donations for fire recovery in a public letter released this week, emphasizing transparency and adherence to conflict-of-interest rules as it begins distributing grants to local organizations.
The council, an all-volunteer nonprofit founded in 1973, said it was “honored” to receive donations from residents, local groups, and supporters outside the area following recent wildfires that caused extensive damage to homes and businesses. In its statement, PPCC leaders said they aim to direct the funds toward “organizations that can make a real difference” in recovery efforts.
PPCC President Sue Kohl established a Grants Committee to evaluate applications and recommend awards to the full council. The committee—chaired by Quentin Fleming and including members Janet Anderson, Steve Cron, Lorie Cudzil, Chris Spitz, Andrew Wolfberg, and Maryam Zar—is reviewing requests under guidelines that define eligible uses for the funds and require members to recuse themselves from votes if conflicts arise.
“Everyone serving on the board and committee is a volunteer,” the letter stated. “None of us benefits personally from these grants.”
The letter acknowledged that not all requests for funding can be met, citing limited resources and the scale of the disaster. It said decisions are being made “after careful consideration of the guidelines, the needs expressed in applications, and the goal of helping the Pacific Palisades recover.”
The PPCC also urged community members to avoid speculation about the grant process and said all decisions are made “in good faith” under the trust placed in the organization.
