All of us at ASCAP were devastated to hear about the fires ravaging the Los Angeles area, home to so many members of our ASCAP family.
To support our community, ASCAP created a dedicated emergency member relief fund in the amount of $1 million to assist ASCAP composer and songwriter members in the Los Angeles area who have suffered loss or damage to their primary residence or studio, or been evacuated from their homes as a result of the LA fires.Hundreds of ASCAP members received emergency relief monies from the fund, and we are no longer accepting new applications.
We know the road to recovery will be a difficult one, especially for those of you who have lost homes and businesses. For those who need additional support, please see below for a list of additional resources.
The Recording Academy’s philanthropic arm is offering financial assistance to music professionals impacted by the fires, in the form of short-term disaster relief (including $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card), disaster relief (which is intended to cover short-term costs, should you incur costs from evacuating (hotel, food, supplies), and additional support for individuals with considerable impact (including damage to their homes, medical issues, damaged music equipment or longer-term relocation needs). MusiCares support is available to music professionals (in any capacity) with 5 years employment or credit on 6 commercially-released recordings. If you would like to request support from MusiCares, please reach out to musicaresrelief@musicares.org.
Altadena Musicians is a registry where musicians can list the gear they lost in the LA fires – and donors can help to replace them through gifting or purchasing directly. Think of it like a wedding registry for musicians! (And it’s tax-deductible!)
Mental health non-profit Backline is sharing resources for musicians in Los Angeles via social media and offering its own services. You can reach out to them via their case management form, or if you need immediate assistance call the Disaster Distress Hotline for free 24/7 support by calling 1-800-985-5990.
The California Jazz Foundation is providing an immediate grant of $1,000 to qualifying California Jazz musicians who have been impacted by the LA fires. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.
Crew Nation will provide grants of up to $5000 to live music professionals/musicians and have experienced loss of income, displacement expenses or damage to their home, vehicle, instruments, etc. as a result of the 2025 fires in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. Apply here.
You can apply for emergency financial assistance from the Entertainment Community Fund, open to “eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals” who are “in times of unexpected critical need.” It can help with basic living expenses including health care and housing.
Guitar company Fender is currently inviting musicians who have lost an instrument or gear to submit details of their situation. They have promised to "respond and help replenish requests to the best of our abilities."
Emergency financial assistance is available for AFM Local 47 members impacted by the recent Los Angeles wildfires who have suffered total loss of residence, or whose residence is currently uninhabitable. Visit https://www.afm47.org/relief/wildfires to apply.
The Music Industry Mental Health Fund’s FireAid Grants are available to music industry professionals and their families to assist with the cost of outpatient mental health support resulting from the devastating impact of the LA wildfires. In addition, this program provides a full spectrum of mental health resources, plans for care, follow-up care, and wrap-around healthcare resources for those directly impacted by the LA fires. Apply here.
The non-profit helping musicians and music industry workers in need has launched a natural disaster relief fund for those in Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas, with funds raised going toward loss of music-related equipment, medical bills related to the fires and other vital living expenses.
DONATE
Here are a few places you can donate if you're looking to support music creators and other LA residents impacted by the fires.
As part of the ASCAP Wellness Program, ASCAP members get a free trial of BetterHelp, which offers private & professional counseling by chat, text, video or phone. Get matched with a licensed therapist within 24 hours for convenient and confidential online counseling. Anytime. Anywhere.
If you have lost instruments or music gear, Sam Ash is offering 15% off all accessories & pro discounts on all non-sale gear.
To everyone impacted by this catastrophe, please know that ASCAP is here to support you. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 1-800-952-7227, Monday - Friday from 6am - 3pm PT.
