Image: Evan Spiegel/ Instagram
Snapchat co-founder and Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel and his wife, Australian model and entrepreneur Miranda Kerr, have helped erase $550 million in medical debt owed by more than 261,000 Californians.
The couple made a multimillion-dollar donation to Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that purchases qualifying medical debt for a fraction of its original value before cancelling it. Their philanthropic efforts also extend to Los Angeles, where devastating wildfires in January 2025 destroyed thousands of structures, including Spiegel’s childhood home in Pacific Palisades. More than a year after the disaster, the couple continues to support recovery initiatives for affected residents and research into the fires’ long-term health consequences.
Spiegel was honoured for his philanthropic work at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2026.
Snapchat billionaire helps erase $550 million in medical debt
Spiegel and Kerr’s medical debt relief initiative was announced in June 2026 and reported by the Los Angeles Times. Their contribution helped Undue Medical Debt cancel more than $550 million in outstanding medical bills for over 261,000 Californians.The nonprofit acquires medical debt in bulk from hospitals, physician groups, collection agencies and other creditors, often paying substantially less than the original amount owed.
It then cancels the acquired debt, allowing eligible individuals to receive relief without having to repay the outstanding balance.According to the organisation, people generally qualify if their household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or if their medical debt represents at least 5% of their annual income. Recipients do not need to apply individually because the nonprofit identifies and purchases qualifying debts in bulk.The $550 million figure represents the face value of the debt cancelled, rather than the amount donated by the couple. Their precise contribution has not been publicly disclosed.The initiative reached communities across California. San Diego County received approximately $99 million in medical debt relief, benefiting 40,369 people, while Los Angeles County saw $26.7 million in debt cancelled for 17,466 residents, according to figures reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Spiegel turns to Los Angeles wildfire recovery
The couple’s philanthropy has also focused on communities devastated by the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County. Spiegel grew up in Pacific Palisades, where his childhood home was destroyed during the disaster.The fires killed dozens of people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, according to early assessments. The destruction left thousands of residents facing the lengthy process of securing assistance, assessing damage and rebuilding their homes.The disaster also affected Spiegel’s company. In an interview with PEOPLE published on October 15, 2026, he said more than 100 Snap employees had been affected by the fires.In January 2025, Spiegel, Snap and Snapchat co-founder Bobby Murphy contributed $5 million in immediate aid. The support formed part of a wider philanthropic response to the disaster.Recalling the moment he learnt that his childhood home was burning, Spiegel told PEOPLE that his sister alerted the family after seeing the house on television.
He described the experience as surreal, particularly because the house was where he and Murphy had started Snapchat.
Department of Angels supports wildfire survivors
Spiegel also helped launch the Department of Angels, a nonprofit established to support Los Angeles wildfire recovery. The California Community Foundation, Snap, Spiegel and Murphy committed a combined $10 million in seed funding to establish the initiative, the Los Angeles Times reported.The organisation works to connect affected residents with resources, support community-led recovery and bring survivors’ concerns to decision-makers at the local, state and federal levels.Its work comes as many residents continue to face obstacles in rebuilding their homes and returning to their neighbourhoods. In August 2026, The Guardian reported that thousands of wildfire survivors were still waiting for more than $15 billion in federal recovery assistance.Spiegel told PEOPLE that the delays remained frustrating and stressed that the recognition of his philanthropic work should not overshadow the needs of affected communities.
Couple fund research into long-term health effects of the fires
Beyond immediate financial assistance, the Spiegel Family Fund supported the launch of the Los Angeles Fire Human Exposure and Long-Term Health Study, also known as the L.A. Fire HEALTH Study, in January 2025.The 10-year research initiative brings together scientists from institutions including UCLA, Harvard University, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Texas at Austin. Researchers are investigating pollutants released during the fires, how they spread through air, soil, dust and water, and the possible short- and long-term health consequences of exposure.The study also aims to provide evidence that can help residents understand the risks of returning to affected homes and neighbourhoods. Urban fires can burn synthetic materials, household products and building components, potentially releasing a complex mixture of pollutants.The findings could help communities better prepare for future urban wildfires and guide decisions about environmental monitoring and recovery.
Researchers will need to follow exposed populations over time to establish the nature and extent of any lasting health effects.
Spiegel and Kerr involve their children in charitable work
The couple have also sought to make community service part of family life. Spiegel and Kerr are raising three sons together, Hart, Myles and Pierre. Kerr also has a son, Flynn, from her previous marriage to actor Orlando Bloom.Speaking to PEOPLE, Spiegel said the family tries to involve their children in activities such as packing meals and baking cookies for a local women's shelter.He said he wants his children to understand that their opportunities come with a responsibility to help people who are less fortunate. Kerr, he added, has inspired him through her care for others since the early days of their relationship.Their philanthropic interests extend beyond medical debt and disaster recovery. In 2022, the couple helped pay off student loans for the graduating class at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.
Spiegel's wider giving also includes support for creative education and opportunities for young people through the Spiegel Family Fund and the Snap Foundation.
Evan Spiegel honoured for philanthropy in Washington
On October 13, 2026, Spiegel was honoured at the eighth annual George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards in Washington, DC. The ceremony recognised individuals for their philanthropic work, volunteering and contributions to communities across the United States.Other honourees included David M. Rubenstein, co-founder of investment firm The Carlyle Group, and Olivia Zhang, founder and CEO of Cancer Kids First.Reflecting on the recognition, Spiegel told PEOPLE that he was grateful for what had been accomplished but believed it was important to acknowledge how much more work remained. He specifically pointed to wildfire survivors still waiting for federal assistance.He also spoke about the importance of helping others, describing people as interconnected and saying that this creates an obligation to support one another. For Spiegel and Kerr, their efforts span immediate financial relief for families burdened by medical bills and longer-term work to help communities recover from disasters.