In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire, community recovery requires more than immediate relief. It requires long-term vision, strategic planning, and dedicated collaboration. Through a recent volunteer partnership facilitated by Jericho Road Pasadena, Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU) took important steps toward securing funding that can help sustain recovery efforts for months and years to come.
EFRU partnered with Jericho Road volunteer Mitch Boretz, former Technical Communications Specialist for the University of California, Riverside, to support the development of multiple foundation grant applications focused on wildfire recovery and community rebuilding initiatives.
Working alongside Dawn Fanning, Strategic Consultant for EFRU and Executive Producer at Capture Production Company, the team developed and submitted applications and preliminary proposals to several major foundations, including the Dr. Scholl Foundation, Henderson Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and Omron Foundation.
The project focused on helping EFRU formally begin the process of pursuing philanthropic funding to support its long-range recovery goals for residents impacted by the Eaton Fire. This included researching foundation priorities, refining organizational messaging, drafting letters of inquiry and applications, and aligning proposals with each foundation’s mission and funding priorities.
“Mitch was invaluable in helping us write and submit several grants,” said Dawn Fanning. “Many of which we are still waiting on, but his expertise and guidance gave us the best foot forward. We also learned a lot.”
Throughout the engagement, Mitch worked closely with Dawn and other EFRU stakeholders to strengthen proposals and communicate the organization’s unique role in supporting wildfire-affected residents across the community.
“EFRU has an ambitious and important agenda for long-range recovery from the Eaton Fire,” said Mitch Boretz. “If these proposals succeed, they will help toward accomplishing those plans. This is a smart, disciplined organization. EFRU’s members are their own clients. They suffered damage in the fire and are looking beyond their personal needs to help the entire community organization. They have skilled people and a clear-eyed agenda.”
The partnership highlights the power of skilled volunteerism and the impact professional expertise can have when directed toward community recovery efforts. From researching grant requirements to shaping compelling narratives for funders, the project demonstrates how Jericho Road volunteers can help local nonprofits build capacity and pursue sustainable growth.
As EFRU continues its work advocating for Eaton Fire residents and supporting long-term recovery initiatives, these grant applications represent an important step toward securing resources that can strengthen and restore the broader community.
At Jericho Road Pasadena, we are grateful for volunteers like Mitch who use their professional experience to serve others, and for community leaders like Dawn and the EFRU team who continue to invest in rebuilding and supporting their neighbors after crisis.
To learn more about Jericho Road Pasadena and opportunities to volunteer your professional expertise, visit JRPasadena.org.
Want this kind of support for your nonprofit? Request a volunteer through our website.
Thanks to volunteer Wes Robinson for writing JRP Project Highlight posts!