Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

What Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation does

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center (1700 Stadium Way, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA). It is the official charitable arm of the Los Angeles Fire Department and addresses the structural funding gap in which approximately 97% of the city's LAFD budget is consumed by personnel costs, leaving only 3% for equipment, technology, and training despite annual emergency call volume rising from ~100,000 in 1960 to nearly 500,000 today. The Foundation supports 3,500 firefighters across 106 LAFD fire stations, with 48% of those stations located in underserved communities and 50% more than 50 years old. It holds a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and a Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Seal of Transparency.

The Foundation's product surface spans essential equipment (turnout gear, helmets, washing machines, refrigerators), advanced technology (RS3 firefighting robot, Robot Dog 'Rosie,' LEO satellite terminals, thermal imaging cameras, Blitz Fire portable ground monitors, electric motorbikes, Simtable interactive training table), vehicles (Fast Response Vehicles, Water Tenders, Brush Patrol Skid Units, Bell 505 helicopter, Genesis fleet), and community programs (Adopt-A-Fire-Station, Firefighter of the Month, VALOR Awards). It operates a technology stack for fundraising and grant administration using Kindful for donations, Submittable for grant and in-kind applications, Microsoft Forms for station-level balance requests, and DAF Direct for donor-advised fund grants.

Revenue mechanics are entirely donation-based: individual giving (one-time and recurring via online, mail, phone), corporate/foundation grants and in-kind donations, event revenue (the annual VALOR Awards ceremony at Dodger Stadium), memorial/tribute gifts, and merchandise sales (Howling Heroes calendar, apparel). The Foundation is governed by a board chaired by Mike Ahmar (Executive Chairman of Partners Bank of California) and managed by President Liz Lin. Since its founding, it has channeled $19M+ to LAFD over the five years preceding 2023, and an additional $15M+ in the year following the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires — including a stated goal to double cumulative deployment over the next five years.

Name

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

Legal name

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

Website

https://supportlafd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds equipment, technology, and programs for the 3,500 firefighters across 106 LAFD fire stations, bridging a structural budget gap where only 3% of the city's LAFD budget covers non-personnel needs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Nonprofit / Fire Department Fundraising

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF), Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Fire department fundraising
• Public safety philanthropy
• Nonprofit foundation
• Firefighter equipment grants
• Emergency response funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Foundation receives monetary donations from individual donors through its website (Kindful platform), mail, and phone. Donors can make one-time or recurring contributions and can direct gifts to specific programs such as the Adopt-A-Fire-Station program or general operations.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants/Sponsorships: The Foundation receives corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations from corporations (e.g., Genesis vehicles, Farmers Insurance-funded robot dog, YouTube/Google.org e-moto bikes), foundations, and event sponsors (e.g., AT&T, McCourt Partners, OPT Health at VALOR Awards).
3. Event Revenue (VALOR Awards): The annual VALOR Awards ceremony generates revenue through ticket sales, table purchases, silent auction bids, and paddle raise donations. The 2023 event surpassed its $600,000 fundraising goal.
4. In-Kind Donations: The Foundation accepts non-cash donations including appliances, fitness equipment, office furniture, and vehicles. Donors fill out a Submittable form and gifts are matched with stations in need or directed to a station of choice.
5. Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Grants: Donors recommend grants through their own donor-advised funds using the Foundation's DAF Direct widget. The Foundation's Tax ID is 27-2007326 and address is 1700 Stadium Way, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
6. Merchandise Sales: The Foundation operates an e-commerce storefront (supportlafd.shop) selling merchandise including the Howling Heroes calendar.
7. Memorial and Tribute Giving: Donors can make memorial or tribute gifts to honor friends, colleagues, or family members, with the Foundation sending personalized letters to honorees or their families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit of the LAFD, fundraising to provide essential equipment, advanced technology, and program support to the LAFD's 3,500 firefighters across 106 fire stations. It solicits individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind gifts (vehicles, equipment, appliances) and channels those funds into items such as turnout gear, thermal imaging cameras, firefighting robots, electric motorbikes, water tenders, fast response vehicles, station-living amenities, and firefighter training programs. Its flagship Adopt-A-Fire-Station program enables donors to direct contributions to specific LAFD stations, and it hosts the annual VALOR Awards as a major fundraising event.

Product overview

The LAFD Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides vital equipment and funds critical programs to help the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) save lives and protect communities. The Foundation operates as a platform of support offerings including Essential Equipment (turnout gear, tools), Advanced Technology (thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, RS3 firefighting robot, Robot Dog Rosie), Program Support, and the Adopt-A-Fire-Station Program. Major equipment includes Fast Response Vehicles (FRV), Water Tenders, Brush Patrol Skid Units, electric motorbikes, Bell 505 helicopter, and LEO satellite technology. The Foundation also channels community donations into specialized units like Advanced Provider Response Units and supports specialty programs through the Howling Heroes calendar and merchandise shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Essential Equipment Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported 3,500 LAFD firefighters across 106 fire stations with $15M+ in funding since January 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YouTube / Google.orgcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026YouTube donated 20 purpose-built electric motorbikes to the LAFD, supported by Google.org and facilitated through the LAFD Foundation. The e-moto bikes enable rapid access to hard-to-reach areas including steep canyon trails, crowded events, and disaster-isolated neighborhoods. This contribution reflects YouTube's broader commitment to LA following the January 2025 wildfires and is part of the Foundation's strategy to expand LAFD's emergency response capabilities.
• AT&TminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025AT&T was a sponsor of the 2025 VALOR Awards ceremony, supporting the LAFD Foundation's annual event honoring exemplary LAFD members.
• M Strategic CommunicationsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025M Strategic Communications was a sponsor of the 2025 VALOR Awards ceremony.
• McCourt PartnersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025McCourt Partners was a sponsor of the 2025 VALOR Awards ceremony.
• OPT HealthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025OPT Health was a sponsor of the 2025 VALOR Awards ceremony.
• TroyGould PCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025TroyGould PC was a sponsor of the 2025 VALOR Awards ceremony.
• Airbnb / Airbnb.orgcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Airbnb and Airbnb.org committed nearly $30 million combined to LA fire recovery efforts following the January 2025 wildfires. Contributions include $16 million to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles for home rebuilding, $1 million to local recovery organizations, and free emergency housing to more than 23,000 displaced people. Contributions included $10 million from Airbnb and $6 million from Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky.
• Genesis (Hyundai Motor Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Genesis made the largest in-kind donation in the LAFD Foundation's history — a fleet of Genesis vehicles — as part of the California Rises initiative following the January 2025 wildfires. The Genesis Invitational was relocated to Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego after the fires, and Genesis and its partners pivoted the event to support LA recovery. Vehicles benefit the Foundation, the LAFD, and sworn LAFD members who lost their homes.
• Hyundai Hope on Wheels / Genesis Inspiration FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hyundai Hope on Wheels (pediatric cancer research) and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation (youth arts education) are the corporate philanthropy arms of Hyundai and Genesis respectively. For every vehicle sold, a portion of sales goes into each foundation, demonstrating the companies' ongoing commitment to philanthropy that enabled the Genesis vehicle donation to the LAFD Foundation.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles received $16 million from Airbnb and Airbnb.org as part of the $30 million wildfire recovery commitment. The organization is coordinating with the LAFD Foundation's ecosystem of support for displaced wildfire survivors.
• Air for PawsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Air for Paws, an animal welfare organization, donated specially designed animal resuscitation kits to the LAFD through the Foundation, including oxygen masks tailored to animals of all sizes from hamsters to large dogs. Kits were provided to equip every fire engine in the city.
• Farmers InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Farmers Insurance funded the acquisition of 'Rosie,' a camera-equipped robot dog that enters hazardous confined spaces to relay thermal imagery and atmospheric monitoring data. Rosie was deployed alongside the RS3 robot during the 110 Harbor Freeway tunnel fire incident, demonstrating the impact of corporate-funded technology on LAFD emergency response.
• Marathon Los Angeles RefinerycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Marathon Los Angeles Refinery donates $750 to each Firefighter of the Month's fire station, making the Firefighter of the Month program possible.
• SophiaGrace FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023The SophiaGrace Foundation received the Foundation of the Year award at the 2023 VALOR Awards ceremony, recognizing its contributions to the LAFD community.
• Cedars-SinaiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Cedars-Sinai received the Community Impact Award at the 2023 VALOR Awards ceremony.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FDNY Foundation: The official nonprofit of the New York City Fire Department, funding equipment, training, and education for FDNY. Directly comparable as a city fire department foundation with similar mission, donor base, and equipment-funding model.
• Firefighters Charitable Foundation: Independent nonprofit funding fire departments across multiple states with equipment grants and member welfare support. Direct peer in mission and donor base, though operating across multiple jurisdictions rather than a single city.
• Los Angeles Police Foundation: The official nonprofit supporting the LAPD, operating in the same city with the same official-affiliate structure, donor mix, and equipment/program funding mandate. Closest geographic and structural analog.
• San Francisco Firefighters Foundation: Bay Area firefighter-focused nonprofit supporting equipment, training, and member welfare — a direct peer given the same California urban context, wildland-urban interface risk, and donor demographics.
• Phoenix Fire Foundation: Official nonprofit of the Phoenix Fire Department supporting equipment and member welfare in a similarly high-wildland-urban-interface-risk metro. Direct peer with parallel wildfire response context.
• Chicago Fire Department Foundation: Official nonprofit of the Chicago Fire Department, supporting equipment, training, and community programs for CFD firefighters. Direct functional peer with analogous fundraising and grantmaking operations.
• Dallas Fire-Rescue Foundation: Nonprofit supporting the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department with equipment and program funding — a direct peer with same municipal fire-department foundation model.
• Boston Fire Department's Project Guardian: Boston-area firefighter welfare and equipment support organization with comparable city fire-department funding model. Direct peer in mission scope and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: National nonprofit supporting fallen firefighter families and firefighter safety nationwide. Broader incumbent serving the same fire-service community with overlapping donor pool but operating nationally rather than city-specific.
• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Charitable Foundation: National firefighter union-affiliated charitable organization supporting fire fighter welfare, disaster relief, and member assistance. Broader incumbent in the same philanthropic space with national scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lafdfoundation?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/lafdfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/lafdfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lafdfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation