Frequently Asked Questions

Download the App to your Apple or Android phone from Google Play or the App store.

When you register for the app – you need to verify that you email is valid by confirming the registration in your email. If you do not receive an email – please be sure to check your spam folder. If you still did not receive it please verify that you typed in the email address correctly and click on the “Resend Verification Link”. If the email address was not correct please use the “Change Email” link. Once you have received the email , clicked on the link to authenticate your account, then you can return to the app and click on the ‘reload’ button on the right (looks like a circle arrow) to get to the next step.

In order to be verified in the app you must show proof that you are fire-affected by providing a valid driver’s license or utility bill that confirm your address in a confirmed fire zone for either the Eaton or Palisades fires.

1. Click on the Profile photo in the upper right corner.
2. Click on the Account Settings ‘gear’ icon in the upper left corner of the profile screen.
3. Click on the ‘Verify my Account’ link.
4. Upload a document that shows your name + fire-affected address.
5. click the ‘Submit’ button.
6. An admin will review your documents and either approve your account or deny it if further documentation is needed. If your account is denied, you will see a message in your app with instructions on what is needed to complete the verification process.

Verified users (fire-affected users) have access to browse “offers” and connect with donors directly.

Usually we can get you verified within a couple hours of submitting your documents during PST daytime hours.

Eaton Fire:
91001 (Altadena), 91107 (Pasadena), 91024 (Sierra Madre), and 91023 (Mount Wilson).

Palisades Fire:
90024, 90025, 90049, 90073, 90077, 90095, 90263, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402, 90403, 91301, 91302, 91307, 91316, 91320, 91335, 91356, 91361, 91364, 91367, 91403, 91406, 91411, and 91436.

If you live in an area surrounding the fire zones and sustained fire damage due to smoke or ashes, you are still able to get verified by providing FEMA or insurance documents that show your fire-affected address.

Once your account is verified the “Request” icon will become available to you to post your items.

No. Anyone can be a donor and use the app to post “offers”.

You can make arrangements to meet in person at a public location or at one of our designated partner locations:

Bertrands Music
145 Vista Ave, Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 793-4730

You can make arrangements to drop off your items at our partner location:

Simply click on the “Offer Item” button in the app. It will prompt you to select the person you donated the item too. You can also edit or delete the item from the same screen.

Simply fill out the tax receipt request form online and include the fair market value of your items donated.

Send us an email with photos of the handoff to help the verification process.

In-kind donations over $5,000 value require an IRS form to be filled out and signed first by an appraiser then by our fiscal sponsor. This F8283 form can also be found on the IRS website.

You need IRS Form 8283 when you claim a charitable deduction for noncash contributions (like property, art, vehicles, or clothing) that total more than $500 for the year and you itemize deductions on your Schedule A (Form 1040). It helps the IRS verify the fair market value of your donated goods, with specific sections (A & B) for different value thresholds, including requirements for qualified appraisals for items over $5,000.

Some donations are managed by our team or partners. If you do not get to meet your donor in person you can contact us to either put you directly in touch if they are allowing us to share their information OR you can mail a letter to:

Brandon Jay
c/o Altadena Musicians
1191 Huntington Drive #310
Duarte, CA 91010

Send us an email with photos of the handoff to help the verification process.