The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) is offering financial assistant grants to radio and television broadcast professionals who are affected by the ongoing wildfires in the greater Los Angeles region of Southern California.
The not-for-profit organization provides those who are employed or connected to the radio and television broadcast industries with assistance to help offset personal financial losses during declared emergencies and disasters. The grants are in addition to other financial assistance programs broadcast professionals may qualify for, including those provided by local, state and federal agencies.
The first of four major wildfires broke out late Tuesday morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, northwest of the city and south of Malibu. The Palisades Fire forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and has been blamed for the destruction of over 1,000 homes. More than 17,000 acres of land had burned as of Thursday morning, officials said.
By late Tuesday evening, firefighters across Los Angeles were battling at least four separate blazes, including the Eaton Fire, which ignited in rough terrain near the community of Altadena. Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed in that fire, which consumed more than 10,000 acres by Thursday afternoon.
Several other wildfires, including the Hurst Fire, the Sunset Fire and the Kenneth Fire, forced thousands more to evacuate, according to emergency officials. Between Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon, more than 180,000 residents in the city and county of Los Angeles were affected by evacuation orders, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state had received approval from President Joe Biden for a federal emergency disaster declaration due to the wildfires. The declaration will bring federal resources and financial assistance to families and business owners affected by the fires.
Separately, the BFOA says it has earmarked funds for radio and TV broadcast professionals who are or were impacted by the Southern California wildfires.
“We have set aside Emergency Grant Dollars to provide financial assistance to broadcasters in LA who are in need,” Tom McCarthy, the President of BFOA, said in a statement emailed to The Desk.
Our thoughts are with those affected by the fires in California. If you or a broadcaster you know has been affected by the wildfires, remember that @BroadcastersFDN is here to help with our Emergency Grant Program. Learn more at https://t.co/ssqEugE1H8. #BroadcastingHope pic.twitter.com/GlulUTnB8L
— BroadcastersFDN (@BroadcastersFDN) January 8, 2025
To be eligible for a BFOA financial grant, individuals must have been employed by one or more radio or television stations for at least five consecutive years, and must currently work in a full-time position. Individuals who work for a media representative form or a state broadcast association may also apply.
Eligible individuals are those who have an acute financial need due to personal property damage or unexpected expenses due to a natural disaster or home emergency (but not because of income loss, unemployment or business damage).
Typically, broadcasters are required to apply online for emergency financial grants. On Wednesday, a spokespereson for Charter Communications confirmed to The Desk that the company has unlocked more than 35,000 Spectrum WiFi public access points throughout Southern California in order help people stay connected. The access points are free to access, even for those who do not subscribe to Spectrum Internet or TV services.
Noting the severity of the wildfires and their impact on Internet availability across Southern California, the BFOA has established a telephone hotline for broadcasters to receive more information about financial grants and how to apply. The hotline number is 1-212-373-8250.
For more information about the BFOA, click or tap here.
