Survivor Network Accelerator
When disasters happen, people turn to each other. Today, 73% of survivors rely on friends, neighbors, and community networks for trusted information and support, making these connections the entry point to recovery. At the same time, too many survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires remain disconnected from the resources and peer support available to them.
At the Department of Angels, we believe survivor-led, community-based networks are essential to ensuring no one navigates recovery alone. That’s why we are launching a survivor network accelerator: to ensure every survivor is reached and to strengthen and connect the networks that can close this gap across Los Angeles fire-impacted communities.
About the Accelerator
The survivor network accelerator is a 12-month intensive designed to meet an ambitious goal: 100% survivor outreach. We will strengthen and connect the networks powering survivor peer support to meet this goal. Participants will receive grant funding and hands-on support to increase their outreach capacity and efficacy. Together, we’ll support survivor peer networks to:
Reach more survivors, closing outreach gaps
Engage communities with clear, trusted connection
Build sustainable networks
Benefits for Participants
This accelerator is designed to invest in and strengthen the networks already serving survivors.
Participants will receive funding to expand outreach and sustain their work, alongside a 12-month, cohort-based experience. The work together will be intentionally dynamic and responsive; shaped by the needs, challenges, and opportunities that emerge across the group. We will workshop real-time problems, develop practical tools, and apply solutions directly, all focused around increasing reach.
Participants will gain:
Access to funding and resources to grow impact
Hands-on support and coaching to implement and adapt to challenges
A trusted peer cohort for shared problem-solving and coordination
Practical tools and strategies for outreach, engagement, and organizational sustainability
Commitment & Eligibility
Commitment
This is designed for organizations that are ready to deepen their impact. Participants are expected to actively expand their reach to connect more survivors to trusted peer support. This includes:
Committing to an outreach goal and deliverables for the year
Driving measurable growth in survivor outreach and connection
Tracking and sharing progress, insights, and remaining gaps
Collaborating with other participating networks to strengthen coordination across communities
Eligibility
We are looking for trusted, community-based networks where survivors already connect and support one another on a peer-to-peer basis. This may include neighborhood/block captain programs, community and cultural organizations, faith-based networks, and grassroots survivor-led efforts.
Eligible networks serve the communities impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires. Additionally, they are:
Networks with 501(c)(3) charitable status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status
Networks that do not have 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsorship but can provide a signed W-9 and a letter of recommendation from an existing survivor peer support network in the Los Angeles fire-impacted communities
Networks can apply for up to $150,000 in funding. It is important to note that funding will be scaled based on the applicant's community focus, depth of engagement, and reach.
Grant funds will be distributed quarterly and must be allocated to activity and organization infrastructure that supports the overall goal of reaching 100% of survivors.
Application Information
Networks interested in applying should submit their application by April 17, 2026, at 5:00pm PDT. Applicants should expect to hear back by May 1, 2026.
Questions? Please reach out to: katie.swenson@deptofangels.org
