When the devastating wildfires raged through Southern California at the start of 2025, Withum rallied to support the Los Angeles community.
Chris Passmore, partner-in-charge of Withum’s Los Angeles office, presented a $50,000 check to Angie Carmignani, the Executive Director of California Fire Foundation (CFF) on February 10, 2025. Giving back is engrained in Withum’s culture, as seen in The Withum Way – ten tenets that define the firm’s unique philosophy and culture.
Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Even as they protect the public from tragedy, firefighters do so at the risk of their own lives and their families' livelihood.
Angie Carmignani, the Executive Director of California Fire Foundation (CFF)
“Just during the L.A. County firestorms in January, the California Fire Foundation’s Benevolent Fund provided assistance to 14 firefighters and their families who were displaced because of fire damage to their homes, 12 of whom suffered a total loss of their homes. Withum’s generous donation to the California Fire Foundation will provide immediate support for firefighters facing the unimaginable—whether it’s recovering from a line-of-duty injury, rebuilding after a disaster, or helping a grieving family. This contribution will make a real difference when it matters most,” said Carmignani.
CFF provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. In the wake of the recent wildfires across the Los Angeles area, CFF has provided immediate emergency assistance to survivors through their SAVE (Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency) cards – $250 gift cards distributed to survivors of fire and natural disasters to purchase basic necessities like medicine, food or clothing. In addition, CFF is working with local fire agencies and other community-based organizations to provide direct financial aid to impacted residents and support recovery efforts.
It’s a privilege to support CFF and their efforts within our community. When news broke of the wildfires, there was an immediate outpouring of support from everyone within the Firm, nationwide – not only for our team members but for the greater LA community. Team members in Withum’s Philadelphia office donated $100 per point scored in the Rams versus the Eagles NFL game on February 9, 2025, to the California Fire Foundation, in addition to ad hoc collections throughout various offices. This additional support garnered $5,000, raising Withum’s total donation for CFF to $55,000.
Chris Passmore, partner-in-charge of Withum’s Los Angeles office
Supporting communities and team members in times of need is no new philanthropic endeavor for Withum. In 2012, the firm formalized the Team Member Hardship Relief Fund in response to Hurricane Sandy victims. This internal fund is funded by team members and the firm to support team members facing unexpected financial hardship. It exists as an extension of the firm’s giving efforts to support not only local organizations, but also the team members who are members of those local communities.
Pictured with Passmore and Carmignani are Kitona Jackson from Withum’s National Community Impact Team and Withum Warriors, Stephanie Riley and Rudy Diazzesati, who lead community impact projects for Withum’s Los Angeles office.
In 2024, Withum donated over $1.6M to organizations world-wide. To learn more about Withum’s giving efforts and community impact for 2024, check out the firm’s annual Withum Wrap-Up.