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The Dena Forward Alliance is a multiracial, multi-generational, faith-friendly, community-rooted coalition advancing long-term wild and urban fire recovery, land justice, and equitable rebuilding across Altadena and Pasadena. We're powered by 20+ partner organizations working to preserve generational wealth and legacy while building sustainable housing solutions.
Following the catastrophic wildfires that swept through Altadena in 2024, the Dena Forward Alliance was created to provide holistic recovery support, prevent long-term displacement, and help families rebuild with dignity while staying connected to their community. We recognized that disaster recovery needed to do more than just provide immediate relief—it needed to preserve homeownership, protect generational wealth, and ensure that historically rooted families could stay in the place they've always called home.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small, fully equipped living space built on the same property as an existing home. ADUs are a fast, affordable housing solution that doesn't require large-scale development. For families displaced by the Altadena wildfires, they provide safe, dignified housing on their own land while keeping families close to schools, jobs, and support networks.
ADUs provide immediate housing during the reconstruction period, which typically takes 2-4 years for a main home. After the primary residence is rebuilt, families have options: they can continue living in the ADU while renting out their main home for income; they can house extended family members (aging parents, adult children, relatives) in the ADU, creating multigenerational households; they can rent the ADU to generate income that builds wealth and helps with ongoing expenses; or they can use it as flexible space that adapts to changing family needs over time. The ADU becomes a permanent asset that increases property value and provides housing flexibility for generations.
Shared Harvest Foundation, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) with nearly a decade of experience in disaster response and community-led solutions, serves as the fiscal sponsor and backbone organization. Our leadership includes community organizations like To Altadena with Love, South California NOMA, Concerned Citizens Community Involvement, and LeadersUp, alongside those directly impacted by the fires.
Every dollar you contribute goes directly toward building stability for Altadena families. Your investment covers construction costs for ADUs (materials, labor, permitting), family support services (care management, mental health support, utilities assistance), insurance gap funding to cover what policies won't pay, and the operational infrastructure that coordinates all of this work. Shared Harvest Foundation, our fiscal sponsor, ensures transparent tracking of all funds, and we provide regular impact reports so you can see exactly how your contribution is multiplying across housing, health, and long-term community wealth building.
Yes. The Dena Forward Alliance operates through Shared Harvest Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our EIN is 32-0556686, and we provide official donation receipts for all gifts. Whether you're giving as an individual, through a Donor Advised Fund, or as a corporation, your contribution qualifies for tax benefits while directly supporting families in crisis.
All donors receive regular updates on the progress of our work, including construction milestones, families served, and community outcomes. Higher-level sponsors receive additional engagement opportunities: site visits to see ADUs under construction, ribbon cutting ceremonies when units are completed, opportunities to meet the families you're housing, and access to our impact dashboard with real-time metrics on housing, health, and economic outcomes. We believe in radical transparency—you deserve to see how your investment is changing lives.
Yes. Corporate partnerships are essential to achieving our ambitious goals. We welcome direct financial contributions, employee matching programs where your company doubles individual gifts, in-kind donations of materials or services, volunteer engagement opportunities for your team, and sponsorship of specific projects or programs. Corporate giving not only provides crucial resources but also demonstrates to your employees and customers that your organization stands with communities in crisis. Contact us to explore partnership structures that align with your corporate values and giving priorities.
Absolutely. In-kind contributions are incredibly valuable to our work. We need building materials (lumber, fixtures, appliances), professional services (architecture, engineering, legal counsel, construction expertise), technology donations (computers, software, connectivity solutions), and specialized equipment. In-kind gifts reduce our cash expenses and often come with expertise that money can't buy. If you or your organization has resources to contribute, reach out to alliance@sharedharvestfund.org and we'll work with you to determine how your gifts can have maximum impact.
We partner with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community coalitions who have deep, trusted relationships in Altadena to identify families in greatest need. We prioritize seniors who may have limited mobility or health concerns, families with young children who need stability for school and development, and households with health vulnerabilities or accessibility needs. The selection process is designed to be equitable and transparent, focusing on those who face the greatest barriers to recovery and who have the deepest roots in the community.