The Tom Petty Estate partners with GoFundMe to amplify Los Angeles wildfires relief

Article Contributed by Sacks and Company | Published on Friday, February 7, 2025

The Tom Petty Estate has partnered with GoFundMe to provide relief for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, with individual donations of $15,000 going to vetted residents who desperately need help rebuilding their lives. The Estate continues to amplify fundraising efforts across social media, encouraging fans to participate.

“Our hearts are with LA and all those who have been affected by the recent wildfires,” the Estate shares. “It is hard to know where to begin helping. We have strong ties to, and love for, this community. Tom and his family personally experienced the devastation of losing everything in a fire.”

To join the Estate in supporting those affected and to learn more about their stories, visit the Tom Petty Estate's GoFundMe profile page here.

Stories of Those Affected:

  • Jonathan Franklin and family evacuated with very few belongings, hoping to return home. Unfortunately, they lost their house and all their possessions, leaving them with little to rebuild—[more information/donate here.
  • Jose Trinidad Rincon and Maria Rincon lost everything when a wildfire broke out in Eaton Canyon. Their GoFundMe is organized by their daughter, Cristina, who was raised in the family home that no longer stands—more information/donate here.
  • GT, Vikki, and Tyler lost their home in the Eaton Fire. Their GoFundMe is organized by a long-time neighbor and family friend—more information/donate here.
  • Jeanina Quezada, a single mother and a beloved piano instructor in the community, lost both her home and piano studio in the Eaton fires. Her passion for music has brought joy to children and families across LA—more information/donate here.
  • The Schoettler Evtuhov Family lost their home to the Palisades Fire while they were out of town, leaving them unable to retrieve essential documents or their beloved cat—more information/donate here.

 

“At GoFundMe, our mission is to help people help each other,” says Margaret Richardson, GoFundMe's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. “We are inspired by and grateful to the Tom Petty Estate for its commitment to helping Los Angeles families who lost everything in the wildfires and are seeking help on GoFundMe. During moments of crisis, GoFundMe is a lifeline for many, and we remain committed to ensuring those affected receive assistance quickly and safely.”

Additionally, the Petty Estate has launched relief efforts to support organizations and causes dear to the late musician—who cherished his adopted home of Los Angeles and personally experienced the devastation of a fire.

Additional Relief Efforts:

  • The Estate has donated $12,500 to MusiCares, a charity founded by the Recording Academy to safeguard the well-being of music professionals. The funds will provide short-term disaster relief to those impacted by the wildfires. An additional 10% of last week’s sales from the Tom Petty Store will also contribute to this cause—join their efforts here.
  • In the spirit of protecting animals and wildlife, the Tom Petty Estate has donated $12,500 to Healthcare for Homeless Animals (HHA), a nonprofit funding veterinary care for at-risk animals at Agoura Animal Care Center. Additional proceeds from a limited-edition “Last Dance with Mary Jane” print, signed by artist Blaze Brooks, which sold out immediately, will further support the mission—learn how you can get involved here.

About MusiCares

MusiCares supports the people behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net for the music community. Founded in 1989 by the Recording Academy as a U.S.-based independent 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of music professionals through financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts.
For more information, visit: www.musicares.org

About Healthcare for Homeless Animals

Healthcare for Homeless Animals (HHA) funds essential medical care and rehabilitation for at-risk animals at the Agoura Animal Care Center. Their mission is to ensure that every animal at the Center has access to necessary treatment, supportive care, and a chance at a loving forever home. They advocate for animal welfare, good health, and second chances.
For more information, visit: www.healthcareforhomelessanimals.org

About Tom Petty

Over his 40-year career, Tom Petty became a beloved American rock & roll icon, renowned worldwide for his songwriting and legendary band, The Heartbreakers. In addition to the 13 studio albums he recorded with The Heartbreakers, Petty also released three solo albums, including the acclaimed Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers.

Petty was a member of the supergroup Traveling Wilburys and played in the pre-Heartbreakers band, Mudcrutch. Recognized as one of the greatest popular music artists of all time, his honors include induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and multiple Grammy Awards.

Having sold over 85 million records, amassed over 5 billion streams, and performed to over 140 million fans worldwide, Petty’s influence endures. He passed away in 2017 shortly after completing his 40th anniversary tour, leaving behind an extraordinary archive of unreleased material. His music continues to resonate with fans—both new and old—around the world.

About The Tom Petty Estate

Established in 2018 by Tom Petty’s family, the Tom Petty Estate honors the life and legacy of one of America’s greatest rock artists and songwriters. Through innovative storytelling and forward-thinking initiatives, the Estate ensures Petty’s impact reaches future generations.

Last year, Petty’s closest friends and collaborators came together to curate Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, in partnership with Big Machine Records and the Tom Petty Estate. More recently, the Estate released an expansive deluxe edition of Long After Dark alongside the *Cameron Crowe-directed documentary, TOM PETTY: HEARTBREAKERS BEACH PARTY.

Petty is widely remembered for his philanthropy and dedication to the communities he called home—Los Angeles and Gainesville, Florida. In that spirit, the Tom Petty Estate continues to support philanthropic and social causes close to Petty’s heart.

About GoFundMe

GoFundMe is a community-powered fundraising platform dedicated to helping people help each other. Since its founding in 2010, GoFundMe has combined storytelling and fundraising to empower people to make a difference.

Along with its nonprofit fundraising software business, Classy from GoFundMe, the platform has enabled over $30 billion in aid for communities worldwide.
For more information, visit: www.gofundme.com

Topics

LATEST ARTICLES