The Pokémon Company and Niantic pledge $1m in support of LA wildfire recovery efforts

The Pokémon Company and Niantic are pledging $1 million in donations to support recovery efforts after the recent fires in Los Angeles.

Each company has pledged $500,000 to the cause, with The Pokémon Company’s share going to GlobalGiving’s California Wildfire Relief Fund. This fund has already given grants to the Pasadena Community Foundation, the Eastmont Community Centre, spcaLA and the Downtown Women’s Centre.

Meanwhile, Niantic’s $500,000 will be spread between the California Community Foundation, the Latino Community Foundation, the Pasadena Community Foundation and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

"Our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California," said The Pokémon Company International chief diversity officer Raquel Daniels.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to support relief efforts in the greater Los Angeles area alongside our partners at Niantic and GlobalGiving."

GlobalGiving CEO Victoria Vrana commented: "Thanks to The Pokémon Company group’s donation, we’ve already provided emergency grants to local nonprofit partners working on the frontlines of relief and recovery. Their continued efforts will help ensure that fire-impacted communities receive the vital support they need in the weeks and months ahead."

Getting going

Pokémon Go’s next in-person event, Pokémon Go Tour: Unova in Pasadena, California was already planned ahead of the wildfires and is scheduled for February 21st to 23rd.

Tickets were already being sold, so the Go team has decided to go ahead with the event at Rose Bowl Stadium and Brookside Golf Course this weekend.

However, players who already bought tickets but cannot attend due to the fires and their consequences can request a full refund up to and including February 23rd.

"Our thoughts are with those impacted by these wildfires," the Pokémon Go team said.

"We encourage Trainers to stay safe, follow guidance from local officials and government agencies, and be mindful of areas affected by wildfires while participating in gameplay throughout Los Angeles County."

Last year, The Pokémon Company donated approximately $350,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.