NEW YORK — The recent FireAid concert brought together an array of stars and generous supporters, aiming to raise funds for individuals impacted by the catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Preliminary estimates suggest that the grand benefit concert, held last week, could surpass $100 million in funds raised.
The event, which lasted over six hours and was streamed by over 50 million viewers across 28 different broadcasting and online platforms, saw an impressive collection of revenue through various means, including ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise, and public donations. Notably, rock band U2 contributed a significant $1 million to the cause.
Just three nights after the concert, the Grammy Awards took the opportunity to further encourage donations, with a report indicating they had garnered nearly $9 million. Host Trevor Noah was instrumental in this effort, promoting contributions and displaying a QR code on-screen to simplify the donation process for viewers. In addition to this, the Recording Academy and MusiCares collectively raised over $24 million during Grammy weekend for charitable endeavors.
FireAid showcased a lineup of performances from well-known Southern California artists, including Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The concert featured over 30 artists performing at two venues in Los Angeles—the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum.
An exciting aspect of the fundraising was the generous pledge from Steve Ballmer, owner of the L.A. Clippers. He and his wife, Connie, promised to match every dollar raised during the concert, and this matched contribution is incorporated into the total of $100 million. Additionally, the Clippers played a role in minimizing the expenses associated with producing the event.
The funds raised are set to be allocated towards addressing both the immediate and long-term recovery requirements of the Los Angeles area. Organizers of FireAid have indicated that their efforts to gather support are still underway, with the anticipation of distributing the first grants by mid-February.
