From Ashes: $1M Grant Ignites Rebirth of Pacific Palisades YMCA

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – January 09, 2026 – On the first anniversary of the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires that scarred the region, a major step toward recovery was announced today. Bank of America has awarded a $1 million grant to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to help rebuild the Lowe Family YMCA, a cherished community institution in Pacific Palisades that was completely destroyed in the blaze. The grant is the first and largest corporate donation to the YMCA's ambitious $25 million capital campaign, providing a critical catalyst for a project that symbolizes the area's enduring resilience.

A Community Still Healing

One year ago, the Palisades Fire raged through this coastal community, leaving a wake of destruction that is still deeply felt. The fire, which burned for over three weeks in January 2025, scorched approximately 37 square miles, destroyed 6,837 structures, and tragically claimed 12 lives. The widespread devastation displaced an estimated 100,000 residents and damaged nearly two out of every five single-family homes in Pacific Palisades and nearby Altadena.

Among the structures lost was the Palisades-Malibu YMCA on Via de la Paz, a community anchor for over 60 years. For generations, it was more than a gym; it was a gathering place, a provider of childcare, a safe space for teens, and a hub of connection for families and seniors. Its loss left a profound void in the social fabric of the Palisades and Malibu communities.

In the immediate aftermath, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles mobilized swiftly. Leveraging nearby centers and partner sites, the organization delivered emergency childcare, trauma-informed care, and case management to thousands of affected residents. They distributed essential supplies like hygiene kits, clothing, and food, offering a lifeline to families who had lost everything.

"As we mark the first anniversary of the devastating fires, we also celebrate the incredible progress of the YMCA's efforts to rebuild its destroyed Via de la Paz site and a nearby campus," said Raul Anaya, Bank of America president for Greater Los Angeles. "The wildfires destroyed so much – thousands of homes, businesses and communities – but it never destroyed L.A.'s spirit. As a longtime supporter of the YMCA, we're proud to help bring this space back to life for so many residents."

A Catalyst for Rebirth

The $1 million grant from Bank of America represents a significant milestone for the YMCA's "Reimagine Your Y" capital campaign, which launched in August 2025. The donation provides substantial momentum as the organization pushes toward its $25 million goal. The campaign has already seen tremendous support, including a landmark $10 million pledge from LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and a foundational $7 million contribution from the Lowe family, for whom the YMCA is now named.

With this new infusion of corporate support, the project is on track to break ground this spring. The funds will help realize the vision for two new, resilient campuses designed to serve the community for decades to come.

"We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for their generosity and for being our first corporate donor to this campaign," said Victor Dominguez, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. "Our corporate partners are critical to engaging our full communities in the rebuilding process. As the Center for Community Well-Being with dozens of locations across the L.A. region, we activated on day one of the fires to support our communities. We will continue to help Palisades rebuild not just the buildings, but the community and connections that make it so special."

Beyond Banking: A Pattern of Corporate Support

This $1 million grant is part of a much broader and sustained commitment from Bank of America to the region's long-term recovery. The contribution brings the company's total philanthropic giving for fire recovery to $4.5 million. Previous relief efforts included a $1 million grant to the American Red Cross for emergency services, $500,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for hunger relief, and $500,000 to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support affected businesses.

Beyond direct grants, the financial institution has leveraged its core business capabilities to aid the recovery. It recently announced $10 million in zero-interest capital to three Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide ongoing assistance for housing and small businesses impacted by the fires. The bank also developed a "Rebuild Solution" to help its qualifying mortgage clients navigate the complex process of rebuilding their homes. This comprehensive strategy, which includes rebuilding its own destroyed financial centers in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, underscores a deep-seated corporate social responsibility policy focused on disaster management and community rehabilitation.

Building a Resilient Future

The vision for the new Lowe Family YMCA extends far beyond simply replacing what was lost. The plan calls for a state-of-the-art, dual-campus model designed to meet the evolving needs of a post-disaster community. The original Via de la Paz site will be reborn as a modern community hub, while a second campus at the nearby Simon Meadow site will feature an indoor-outdoor space designed to connect members with nature.

This expanded footprint will allow the YMCA to enhance its programming significantly. New initiatives will focus on critical areas identified in the wake of the fires, including expanded mental health services to help residents process trauma, comprehensive emergency preparedness training to build community resilience, and robust youth development and multigenerational engagement programs to strengthen social bonds. In recognition of the bank's pivotal role, the new Community Room at the Via De La Paz club will be named for Bank of America.

The project is not merely about reconstruction; it is about reinvention. By creating resilient infrastructure and programming tailored to the community's new reality, the YMCA and its partners are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected, and better-prepared Pacific Palisades for generations to come.