Pacific Palisades Community Council: ‘Supporting Fire Recovery with Care and Transparency’
When the fires devastated our community, families, businesses and organizations in Pacific Palisades faced an uncertain road to recovery.
In response, Pacific Palisades Community Council was honored to be entrusted with generous donations specifically for fire recovery. We take that trust very seriously. These contributions came from neighbors, local organizations and supporters outside our community—all wanting to help the Palisades not just rebuild, but emerge stronger.
Founded in 1973, PPCC is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit and one of the oldest organizations of its kind in Los Angeles. Our board includes elected representatives from every residential neighborhood, an at-large representative and appointed members from key community organizations.
For 53 years, PPCC has provided a forum for community discussion and advocacy, and we are proud to continue that work as we help the Palisades recover from these fires.
To ensure donations are used effectively, PPCC President Sue Kohl formed a Grants Committee to review requests and make recommendations to the full PPCC board. The goal is simple: get funds to organizations that can make a real difference for those affected by the fires.
Volunteers, Guidelines and Fairness
Everyone serving on the PPCC Board and Grants Committee is a volunteer. We are neighbors, parents, business owners and friends. None of us benefits personally from these grants; we do this because we care about our community.
To keep things fair, we follow clear rules:
- Grant Guidelines: explaining what the funds can be used for, who can apply and how applications are evaluated.
- Conflict of Interest Rules: requiring members to disclose any personal or professional ties to applicants and step aside from discussions or votes where conflicts exist.
These safeguards protect the integrity of the process, and we follow them closely.
Making Thoughtful Decisions
Not every grant decision will make everyone happy. People have different ideas about which organizations deserve support and the amount of each grant. But every recommendation is made after careful consideration of the guidelines, the needs expressed in applications and the goal of helping the Palisades recover.
While donations have been generous, community needs are great. That means we can’t fund every worthy request. Our responsibility is to use the funds wisely, balancing immediate recovery with long-term community support.
We know how lucky we are to live in the Palisades—a place where neighbors look out for each other, families can grow up safe and connected, and the beauty of the ocean and hills is always within reach. That awareness guides us in our efforts and reminds us of the importance of using these funds thoughtfully.
Get Involved
We welcome applications from organizations helping the community recover—nonprofits, school groups, service providers and others with projects that fit the guidelines. Application details are available on the PPCC website. The more thoughtful proposals we receive, the more effectively we can spread support across the Palisades.
Moving Forward Together
Recovery takes time, patience and collaboration. Healthy debate is natural, but neighbors should remember that PPCC members act in good faith, guided by the trust placed in us. The generosity of donors gives us the chance to make a real difference—and that generosity deserves to be honored with care.
We encourage anyone interested—applicants, volunteers or donors—to visit our website, review the guidelines and join us in helping the Palisades rebuild stronger than ever.
For more information about the Grants Committee and its work, visit, pacpalicc.org/index.php/ppcc-grants-committee.
PPCC Grants Committee Chair Quentin Fleming; Members Janet Anderson, Steve Cron, Lorie Cudzil, Chris Spitz, Andrew Wolfberg and Maryam Zar
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