Support Big Sur

Big Sur Fire Relief Fund

The Coast Property Owners Association (CPOA) is an all volunteer nonprofit Big Sur community organization whose mission is to protect and defend the rural and residential character of Big Sur, and to preserve the natural and aesthetic beauty of the Big Sur coast; to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the Big Sur Community; to encourage community service and otherwise act in the interests of the residents and property owners of the community.

In response to one of the largest wild fires ever to impact the Big Sur coast, the CPOA board initiated the CPOA Big Sur Fire Relief Fund.

Here's how you can help.

Your tax deductible donation... small or large will go directly to aid those most in need in Big Sur as the community prepares for the winter rains.

If you would like to support the South Coast of Big Sur who has been impacted by the Chalk Fire, click "Add special instructions to the seller" and note "Chalk Fire" when you check out.

Additional Donation Methods

You may also mail a check payable to CPOA Fire Relief Fund to:
CPOA Fire Relief Fund
PO Box 59
Big Sur, CA 93920

For international transfers the SWIFT code is: WFBIUS6S
Wells Fargo Bank
26600 Carmel Center Plaza
Carmel, CA 93923

Wiring instructions available by emailing info@cpoabigsur.org

Our initial relief program has served over 500 impacted community members in the form of emergency grants. Because CPOA's board members live in Big Sur, and have been personally impacted by this wildfire, we were able to begin targeted relief efforts for those displaced and most in need within days of the fire.

The Big Sur community and it's bioregion have been challenged and are in need of a sensitive, intelligent and costly restoration and repair initiative. CPOA believes it is important that the community have a strong voice in this process. Your donations will enable that voice. We are coordinating with many of the local businesses, local, state and federal aid organizations, and the Big Sur Land Trust David Whitney Legacy Fund.

Big Sur's CPOA is a non-profit 501c3 organization. Federal Tax EIN # 77-0091132

Thank you for your support!

Questions? Please e-mail info@cpoabigsur.org.

Big Sur Fire Brigade

The Big Sur Fire Brigade is an all-volunteer organization that is instrumental in the ongoing preservation of life and property in Big Sur. Support this wonderful organization by sending your tax-deductible contribution to:
Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade
P.O. Box 520
Big Sur, CA 93920

CPOA's Big Sur Fire Relief Fund Update
September 2008

Your donation is helping the Big Sur Community in a multitude of ways. CPOA is providing the following services as a result of your generosity:

  • Emergency Grants to Residents and Property Owners.
  • Offsetting ash removal and clean up costs for property owners who lost their homes and who are not covered by insurance.
  • Helping the community prepare for winter by: retaining the services of two Post-Fire Mitigation experts to advise the community on best Post-Fire practices and coach us on how best to protect the community this winter; running a series of workshops to educate the community on how to protect water systems, roadways, and structures; driving information sharing meetings with Private Property Owners, the County, State, and Federal agencies regarding Post-Fire Treatments to ensure adequate preparation for this winter; video documentation of fire-related meetings and workshops.
  • Funding English/Spanish translation services for winter preparation materials and running a winter workshop in Spanish.
  • Coordinating the implementation of a Community Emergency Response Team certification program so that our residents can be trained and certified to help out during road closure and other disasters. This will greatly expand the role of the community in self-directing our emergency response this winter.
  • Development of our website as a resource for the community this winter.

Donations to date for the CPOA Big Sur Fire Relief Fund:

  • General donations of $330,666.74
  • Special Events (Auctions) $229,644.66
  • Total raised to date: $ 560,311.40

Expenses to Date for the CPOA Big Sur Fire Relief Fund:

  • Emergency Grants ($300 each) $189,928.32
  • Grants to the Big Sur and Mid Coast Fire Brigades $80,000
  • Fund Raising Costs $37,969.89
  • Costs of Post-Fire Workshops and Consultants $12,723.86

Balance remaining in CPOA Fire Relief Fund as of 9/08 * $239, 689.30

What is next for CPOA, the Big Sur Fire Relief Fund and our community?

Continued preparation for winter and identification of grant opportunities that we can leverage
for the maximum benefit of the community as it recovers and rebuilds.