FireAid Hires Law Firm to Review Dispersal of Funds From Benefit Concert in Response to Congressman’s Inquiries

FireAid has hired a law firm, Latham & Watkins, to review the dispersal of roughly $100 million in funds that were raised in conjunction with a massive benefit concert earlier this year, the charitable organization announced Monday. FireAid released a letter it sent to Rep. Kevin Kiley of California about the internal review, shortly after the congressman posted it on his X account.

Some congresspeople and journalists have hit the organization with questions in recent weeks about how the money was given out, with stories picking up particular traction among conservative-leaning news outlets. FireAid has every reason to take the skepticism seriously, as Kiley and others have brought their issues or questions to the attention of President Trump, who on Friday posted a message that began, “‘FireAid’ is a total disaster. Looks like another Democrat inspired scam.”

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In his X post Monday afternoon, Kiley wrote, “I’ve received a letter from FireAid. They’ve hired a law firm to conduct ‘a comprehensive review of FireAid’s governance and grantmaking.’ This includes ‘assessing whether recipient organizations are using funds in alignment with FireAid’s stated purpose and commitments.’” He didn’t make any immediate further comment about what he makes of FireAid initiating its own review.

In its statement following Kiley’s tweet, FireAid said that its review “will also include assessing whether recipient organizations are using funds in alignment with FireAid’s stated purpose and commitments. We’ve shared this update with Rep. Kiley, along with documentation showing how FireAid funds are delivering real relief — from food and housing to legal aid and direct cash assistance.”

In the letter to Kiley, Latham & Watkins attorney Makan Delrahim takes a conciliatory tone, saying at the outset that “we appreciate your concerns and share your goals” and further stating: “We understand and appreciate your concern about the manner in which FireAid committed to disperse funds, and we are grateful for your continued concern for the survivors of the fires. FireAid can assure you that it shares your same goals. We also welcome your invitation to provide facts which may be missing from the press reports.”

But the letter soon establishes some misconceptions that FireAid officials believe Kiley and other skeptics are harboring. The main issue of contention between the organization and its skeptics is whether promises were ever made that individual victims of California’s devastating January firestorms would receive funds, or whether it was always intended that the money would be handed over to charities that would assist the victims or the affected areas.

“Your letter suggests that FireAid funds were improperly ‘diverted’ and that ‘donor intent’ was somehow disregarded because certain charities received a grant. We respectfully submit that this is not the case,” says the letter from Latham & Watkins. “FireAid has disbursed grants to non-profits and organizations which are able to provide direct relief, across a broad spectrum of services, to survivors of the fires and their communities. These non-profit organizations are providing support to the impacted communities through short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California. We also want to clarify that the organizations that have received funds are both worthy and have close relationships to the recovery efforts in response to the fires.”

I’ve received a letter from FireAid. They’ve hired a law firm to conduct “a comprehensive review of FireAid’s governance and grantmaking.” This includes “assessing whether recipient organizations are using funds in alignment with FireAid’s stated purpose and commitments.” pic.twitter.com/yfotoa6ifx

— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) July 29, 2025

While the letter from the law firm offers a strong defense of both the concept and execution of the fundraising efforts, it nonetheless states that a further review will take place. “To ensure FireAid remains true to its original mission of directly supporting fire survivors, our law firm has been retained to conduct a comprehensive review of FireAid’s governance and grantmaking processes. This review will also include assessing whether recipient organizations are using funds in alignment with FireAid’s stated purpose and commitments. We look forward to sharing the results of our ongoing review with you in the near future and updating you at your convenience,” Delrahim writes.

The dispersal of funds was the subject of an extensive article last week in the Los Angeles Times. That article quoted representatives from many of the organizations that were earmarked to receive funds confirming that they had gotten the promised money and discussing what it was used for. At the same time, it did include complaints from some fire-affected individuals who said they believed that the fundraising effort would benefit them directly, not be channeled through middlemen.

FireAid has previously released a list of more than 160 nonprofits, schools and other organizations that would be receiving grants.

The Jan. 30 FireAid concert was broadcast from two locations, the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, in Inglewood, Calif. It included performances from Green Day and Billie Eilish (pictured above), Lady Gaga, Dr. Dre, Joni Mitchell, Sting, Stevie Wonder, No Doubt, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, Pink, John Mayer, Alanis Morissette, Dawes, Peso Pluma, Billy Crystal, Anderson .Paak, Stephen Stills, Rod Stewart, Earth Wind & Fire, the Black Crowes, Jelly Roll, Tate McRae, Katy Perry, Lil Baby, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Graham Nash, St. Vincent, Joan Jett and the surviving members of Nirvana.

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