Mobilizing 100,000 Volunteers to Power LA's Recovery and Resilience

Wildfire relief

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley San Fernando Valley West LA Gateway Cities South Bay Antelope Valley Long Beach LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

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

Volunteer Collective is addressing two challenges: the urgent need for coordinated volunteer support in wildfire relief efforts, and the lack of accessible, meaningful pathways for young people to engage in civic service. Wildfire-impacted communities face prolonged recovery periods with limited resources, making volunteer support essential for distributing supplies, aiding displaced residents, and rebuilding. Simultaneously, thousands of students across Los Angeles are eager to contribute but lack clear, supported avenues to get involved in impactful community work.
Our initiative meets both needs by expanding our wildfire volunteer response capacity while launching a student volunteer leadership program. This dual approach not only enhances emergency response and long-term recovery outcomes for vulnerable populations, but also fosters youth civic engagement, leadership development, and a deeper sense of local responsibility—creating a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles.

With your support Volunteer Collective can expand wildfire relief efforts and expand our a countywide student volunteer program, both enhanced by the strategic use of technology. Funding will enable us to scale our digital platform that matches volunteers with urgent and long-term recovery opportunities, streamlines communication between organizations, and provides real-time data to track needs and volunteer impact. This technology allows us to coordinate thousands of volunteers efficiently and ensures that help reaches communities when and where it's needed most.
At the same time, this same technology can benefit our student program and allow us to leverage digital tools to recruit, train, and support student leaders. Participants will use our platform to find service opportunities aligned with their interests, log volunteer hours for school credit, and collaborate across neighborhoods through virtual meetups and project planning. This integrated, tech-forward model not only boosts our capacity to respond to crises but also empowers students to lead with purpose—building a stronger, more connected, and resilient Los Angeles.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will be a more connected, resilient, and civically engaged region—where everyday people are equipped and empowered to step up in times of crisis and contribute to lasting community well-being. Wildfire response will shift from reactive to proactive, with a ready, trained volunteer force that knows how to mobilize, respond, and support neighbors long after the smoke clears. Our technology will make volunteering accessible and seamless, breaking down barriers for residents of all backgrounds to get involved.
Young people—our future leaders—will become present-day change-makers. With pathways to meaningful service, students will build empathy, collaboration, and a stronger sense of shared responsibility across neighborhoods. Simply put, Volunteer Collective’s success would mean a Los Angeles where volunteerism is not just a reaction to crisis, but a daily act of solidarity.