Who Is Milana Vayntrub? Ex AT&T Star Raises $500,000 for LA Fire Victims

Milana Vayntrub has raised more than $500,000 in 2025 to support Los Angeles fire survivors through her new platform, Only Philanthropy. The former AT&T commercial actress announced the milestone on December 10 on Instagram after completing two major fundraising campaigns.

The funds were generated by selling exclusive photos to donors, with proceeds going directly to families impacted by recent California wildfires. Vayntrub’s initiative has drawn wide attention because of its unconventional fundraising model and its rapid result.

How Milana Vayntrub Raised Over $500,000 for Fire Survivors

Milana Vayntrub first launched the concept early in 2025 as wildfire damage increased across Los Angeles and nearby communities. She told supporters that she wanted to turn online attention into financial relief for families who lost homes and essential items. The actress introduced Only Philanthropy as a way to channel the “male gaze” into charitable giving.

Her first campaign supported a single mother named Bridget through a GoFundMe page. Vayntrub offered exclusive photos in exchange for donations, raising $170,000 in four days. According to her update, the funds helped Bridget replace medical equipment, housing, clothing, and a vehicle. Bridget said the support made her feel seen after months of hardship.

The second campaign launched in the summer and generated more than $350,000 in one week. This time Vayntrub partnered with My Tribe Rise, an Altadena-based organization assisting elderly, disabled, and underinsured survivors of the Eaton Fire. The group converted donations into direct grants for families recovering from the disaster.

Vayntrub shared the results on Instagram, saying the community had now raised more than half a million dollars. She encouraged more creators to join and expand the impact in 2026.

Milana Vayntrub’s Path from AT&T to Philanthropy

Milana Vayntrub became a household name in 2013 when she starred as Lily Adams in AT&T’s national commercial campaign. The ads ran for three years and made her one of the most recognizable faces in television advertising. After the campaign ended in 2017, she shifted to directing ads and creative content.

During the Covid lockdowns, AT&T revived the Lily character in 2020, with Vayntrub directing many of the new spots. However, her return led to online harassment, including widespread objectification and doctored images. She later discussed the emotional toll of the viral harassment and stepped back from public-facing acting roles.

Her recent philanthropic move marks a new chapter in her public life, using her audience reach for direct community aid and social impact initiatives.

Why Vayntrub’s Philanthropy Model Is Being Noticed

Vayntrub’s approach is drawing attention because it blends creator-driven content with targeted fundraising. Her platform, Only Philanthropy, calls on women to turn their followings into “purpose-driven communities.” It encourages creators to use influence to support local recovery efforts, social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate resilience programs.

Her campaigns show how rapidly decentralized digital fundraising can help fire victims who often face long delays in insurance or government relief. The model also highlights how celebrities and creators can bypass traditional charity structures to deliver direct financial aid.

Milana Vayntrub’s new philanthropic work shows how digital platforms can mobilize large-scale support quickly. Her goal now is to bring more creators into the project and expand funding for communities in crisis.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Milana Vayntrub?

She is an actress and director best known for playing Lily Adams in AT&T commercials. She now runs the philanthropic platform Only Philanthropy. She focuses on direct financial relief for communities in need.

Q2: How did Milana Vayntrub raise over $500,000?

She offered exclusive photos to donors through her platform. All contributions were directed to families impacted by Los Angeles wildfires. Two campaigns generated more than half a million dollars.

Q3: What is Only Philanthropy?

Only Philanthropy is Vayntrub’s creator-driven fundraising platform. It aims to turn online attention into charitable donations. The platform plans to expand partnerships into justice reform and climate resilience.

Q4: Why did she focus on fire victims?

Los Angeles fires caused severe damage and left many families without essentials. Vayntrub launched the campaigns to give immediate relief to survivors. The funds helped with housing, transportation, and basic needs.

Q5: What is Milana Vayntrub doing next?

She plans to bring more creators into Only Philanthropy. She also intends to support causes like homelessness prevention and LGBTQ+ rights. Expansion of fundraising partnerships is expected in 2026.