From Fire to Field: Rebuilding Together

Wildfire relief

West LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In Malibu, middle school students are navigating critical developmental years in a uniquely complex environment—shaped by recurring wildfires, school closures, and a lack of a stable extracurricular infrastructure. Social and geographic isolation and economic disparities—often masked by Malibu's reputation for affluence—have left many students without access to free, inclusive, no-cut athletics. These programs are proven to boost mental health, academic performance, and belonging—yet Malibu's public middle schoolers have historically had little to no access. This leaves students, especially those without private resources, without the physical outlet, mentorship, or connection they need during one of the most vulnerable phases of adolescence. We’re addressing this long-standing equity gap by building a sustainable, school-based athletics program that centers on consistency, inclusion, and joy—meeting students where they are, and helping them thrive.

This grant will support the expansion and sustainability of the Malibu Education Foundation’s Middle School Sports Program—a newly launched program addressing a long-standing gap in structured, inclusive athletics for Malibu public school students. MEF itself publicly launched in Fall 2024, a launch year marked by three wildfires—all of which significantly impacted our early fundraising and programming capacity.
For years, recurring wildfires, school closures, chronic underfunding, and the geographic spread of our coastal community left Malibu middle schoolers without a consistent, shared extracurricular space to build friendships, confidence, and resilience outside the classroom. At a time in life when connection matters most, students lacked opportunities to grow alongside their peers. In response, MEF created the first-ever, school-based, no-cut athletics program for Malibu Middle School—ensuring every student can participate, belong, and thrive.
Now in its first full year, the program has already engaged over 150 students in co-ed soccer, basketball, volleyball, and cross country—many participating in sports for the very first time. This grant will ensure continuity and growth by funding new sports offerings, coach salaries, uniforms, transportation, and outreach—so no student is left out due to cost or distance. At a critical time for our students and our organization, this program helps rebuild joy, connection, and momentum—one game, one team, and one student at a time.

If successful, this program will serve as a replicable model for inclusive, school-based athletics that bridges equity gaps, strengthens community, and supports disaster-impacted youth across LA County. In the short term (Oct 2025–Oct 2026), we will expand sports offerings, deepen participation, and ensure every Malibu Middle School student can join a team regardless of cost or background.
Long term, this program will model how athletics can promote healing and resilience in communities recovering from climate disasters like wildfires. As Malibu students compete with peers from across LA County through FIYA league, all students benefit—building empathy, breaking down mutual misconceptions, and fostering belonging across differences. Our vision is a region where no student is excluded from the proven benefits of sports—and where shared play leads to shared understanding, regardless of ZIP code, income, or recovery journey.