The grant, revealed on the one-year anniversary of the wildfires, will support construction of two new resilient campuses
Bank of America announced a $1 million grant Thursday to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to help rebuild the Lowe Family YMCA branch destroyed in last year’s devastating wildfires, marking the largest corporate donation to date for the organization’s $25 million capital campaign.
The grant, revealed on the one-year anniversary of the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, will support construction of two new resilient campuses in Pacific Palisades to replace the facility on Via de la Paz, officials said. Groundbreaking is expected this spring.
Raul Anaya, Bank of America’s president for Greater Los Angeles, called the donation a step toward restoring community spaces lost in the fires, which destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
“The wildfires destroyed so much, but it never destroyed L.A.’s spirit,” Anaya said in a statement. “We’re proud to help bring this space back to life.”
Victor Dominguez, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, thanked the bank for being the campaign’s first corporate donor, emphasizing the need for partners in long-term recovery.
The Lowe Family YMCA has served the Palisades and Malibu areas for more than 60 years. After the fires, the organization provided emergency childcare, case management and trauma-informed care through nearby sites, efforts that continue today.
The rebuilt facilities will expand programs focused on youth development, mental health, emergency preparedness and multigenerational activities. In recognition of the gift, the new community room at the Via de la Paz site will bear Bank of America’s name.
The $1 million brings the bank’s total philanthropic contributions to fire recovery in the region to $4.5 million, according to the release.
