California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled “LA Rises,” a private-sector initiative to help rebuild the Los Angeles area after devastating wildfires reduced many of its communities to rubble and ash.
Newsom enlisted Los Angeles Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, retired basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Casey Wasserman, the chairperson and president of the nonprofit organizing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, to lead and recruit others to join the philanthropic effort.
“Los Angeles will rise again — stronger, more united, and more resilient than ever,” Newsom said in a statement. “Just as California came together to fight the fires, we’ll work together to rebuild.”
“With Mark, Earvin, and Casey’s proven leadership and deep commitment to Los Angeles, we’ll tap into the enormous creativity, experience, and resources of the private sector alongside local, state, and federal efforts to deliver a recovery that benefits all Angelenos,” he added.
In a statement, Walter called on “those with means” to “come forward and make a positive impact to build back better,” while Johnson said the time for “bold action” is now.
“We’re bringing together the best resources and biggest hearts across California to ensure that every Angeleno — no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or neighborhood — has a chance to rebuild and thrive,” Johnson said. “This isn’t just about recovery; it’s about restoring communities while also making them more resilient and better than before.”
The effort will contribute to the rebuilding of Los Angeles through “collaboration, access to capital and financial tools,” and by “leveraging innovation and private-sector investment to drive a faster recovery,” according to a press release from Newsom’s office.
LA Rises will support the broader recovery efforts in a number of ways, the release said, including:
- Fundraising and expanding access to both philanthropic and private capital resources;
- Developing financing strategies to close the gap between available resources and the cost of rebuilding;
- Collaborating with other philanthropic and community groups to maximize the impact of ongoing rebuilding and recovery efforts;
- Supporting unified communication efforts to arm Angelenos with up-to-date, factual information as well as timelines for rebuilding and available resources.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who was heavily criticized over her administration’s response to the fires, called the announcement “a vital component” of the endeavor to “bring Angelenos home.”
“I am grateful that the Governor and the LA Rises initiative will be there to partner with us, developing solutions to support our work,” Bass said in a statement. “In recent days, the strength and resilience of Los Angeles have been felt throughout the state, the nation, and the world. I want to thank the Governor for his continued partnership and his collaboration during this difficult time for our city.”
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