How Relief Giving Works

Spokane Rises was built to give to people affected by the fires. The event itself is focused on practical resources, support, live entertainment, and a place for the community to gather.

Public relief money is different. That should go through organizations that already have the structure, relationships, and accountability to manage it well. That keeps donations out of personal accounts, keeps event costs separate from relief giving, and lets trusted local partners do the work they are built to do.

Innovia Foundation is our official Relief Partner for general wildfire relief. Donations to Innovia's Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund support immediate and long-term recovery for people and families impacted by the fires.

100% of donations to that fund support impacted individuals and families through nonprofit partners that provide direct services. Innovia does not take any percentage of the fund for its own operating costs.

Innovia works through vetted nonprofit partners rather than handing pooled fund dollars directly to individuals.

That can sound indirect if you are expecting a check to go straight from donor to household. In disaster recovery, different needs often have to be handled by different groups: food, shelter, transportation, cleanup, housing, rebuilding, case management, and other support. A coordinated fund helps those pieces move as needs change.

Immediate help matters. So does the work that happens after the first wave of attention moves on.

Innovia's reporting on the Gray and Oregon Road wildfire recovery shows how donated funds were used for both urgent needs and longer recovery work, including home rebuilds, repairs, utility hookups, RV winterization, hazard tree removal, and other verified needs.

Some of that help reached people very directly through local groups. Innovia grants helped Feed Medical Lake provide school supplies, grocery gift cards, water, and meal containers; helped Country Church of the Open Bible provide gas cards and laundromat vouchers; and helped Re*Imagine Medical Lake and New Hope Resource Center provide gas cards and grocery cards for affected families.

That is one reason Spokane Rises is working with established relief partners. The needs after a fire do not all show up in the first week.

View Innovia's Gray and Oregon Road fire recovery reporting

Spokane Humane Society is our official Animal-Relief Partner. They are providing pet support services for people and families impacted by recent disasters and emergencies, including help with pet food, supplies, microchipping, pet deposit assistance, and access to Veterinary Medical Assistance Programs for qualified households.

If you need pet-related support after the fires, the best path is to use Spokane Humane Society's request form so their team can understand your household's specific needs.

Pet support through SHS

We understand why people want their help to be direct. The goal here is not to tell anyone they are wrong for helping a neighbor.

For public relief giving tied to Spokane Rises, we are keeping the path simple: general wildfire relief goes through Innovia Foundation, and pet-related support goes through Spokane Humane Society.

If you have questions about Spokane Rises itself, email info@spokanerises.com.