As the devastating wildfires continue to rage in California, Eva Longoria and the Eva Longoria Foundation have pledged to donate $1 million to the Latino Community Foundation and the California Community Foundation. Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation and the former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, announced the gift via Bluesky this evening.
“The Latino Community Foundation has a long history of rapid response work supporting our communities in the aftermath of wildfires,” Castro wrote. “I am honored that my friend Eva Longoria and her Foundation, with support from the Courage and Civility Award, has pledged $1 million to support CA wildfire relief efforts.”
In 2024, Longoria received $50 million from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez through The Bezos Courage and Civility Award, given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership. She, along with Admiral Bill McRaven, was award the sum to donate to philanthropic organizations of her choosing. Longoria selected the Latino Community Foundation and the California Community Foundation largely because of their grassroots initiatives within their communities, according to a spokesperson for Longoria.
“Whether it’s economic status, poverty, food insecurity, the environment, there are so many issues we’re facing in the world,” Longoria told ELLE.com upon receiving the honor from Bezos and Sánchez. “I love the concept of this award, which is supporting people who are doing great things.”
For the uninitiated, the Latino Community Foundation seeks to empower Latinos to participate in politics by investing in Latino-led nonprofits and has contributed over $25 million to date. The California Community Foundation also supports nonprofits in Los Angeles County, providing aid to those in dire need, especially during the wildfires.
Following the announcement, Longoria will be co-hosting TODAY With Jenna & Friends tomorrow morning, and then the actress will head back to Los Angeles to volunteer with Global Empowerment Mission, packing and distributing fire relief to the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. She will also visit the World Central Kitchen, which is providing food to victims and first responders of the Eaton fire.