YouTube Launches $3M Fund to Aid L.A. Creatives Hit by Wildfires

A week after wildfires swept through Los Angeles from Altadena to Malibu, YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan announced a $15 million commitment to support relief efforts in the city. This money came through a partnership with Google and Google.org to help organizations providing immediate aid.

Now, more than seven months later, YouTube revealed that $3 million of that fund will specifically support creative professionals affected by the fires. This update came from Adam Stewart, YouTube’s vice president of sales, who shared in a blog post on Thursday that he personally lost his home in the wildfires.

Stewart wrote, “I know firsthand the challenges our community is facing. Many in our YouTube family have been directly impacted, losing not just their homes, but their studios, equipment, and the dedicated spaces where they bring their ideas to life. That’s why we feel a deep responsibility to continue our support.”

To make this happen, YouTube teamed up with the Entertainment Community Fund. Together, they will distribute the money to eligible creative professionals who lost their homes or were otherwise affected by the fires.

According to Stewart, the fund is not just for YouTube creators but also for the wider creative industry in Los Angeles. He said, “These funds will extend to members within our own community: the YouTube creators who have lost their homes or whose homes have been damaged by the fires. And we’re also extending this support to the broader creative industry. Specifically, this fund is also for performing arts and entertainment professionals in L.A. who have experienced the loss of their home or damage to their property, regardless of whether they create on YouTube.”

He mentioned editors, writers, costume teams, and many other people who form the foundation of the creative industry.

Stewart closed his post with a message of unity: “We’re in this together.” Earlier this year, YouTube had also promised to open its production facilities to help creators recover during these tough times.

In his post, Stewart praised Los Angeles for its creative energy, calling it the driving force behind much of the content loved worldwide. He noted how YouTube creators have built careers in the city, turning their storytelling passion into channels and businesses with global reach.

But Stewart also pointed out that creators don’t work alone. He said, “The magic of Los Angeles lies in its rich ecosystem of creative talent. The people who support our creators and their growing businesses are a vital part of the YouTube family: the editors, writers, costume teams, and countless other professionals who make up the backbone of the creative industry.”

The fires in January caused great damage, and recovery will take time for many people. Since Stewart and his family also lost their home, he understands the struggle well. The fund is meant to provide much-needed help to those hit hardest by the disaster.

For those interested in learning more about eligibility or how to apply, Stewart directs people to the Entertainment Community Fund’s website.

This announcement was shared on YouTube’s official blog and shows the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Los Angeles creative community after the wildfires.

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