Small Businesses Resources
Grants and Financial Assistance
Outsmart Disaster is a resource platform created by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) to equips California businesses and nonprofits with the training and resources they need to prepare for and recover from all types of business interruptions.
Here are all the ways the Small Business Administration (SBA) is supporting small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by the LA wildfires:
Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
You can locate SBA business recovery centers for small businesses, PNP organizations, and residents who have experienced economic losses or physical damageshere.
Read Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network'sDisaster Response Guide for Small Businesses.
The Jewish Free Loan Association is offering a limited number of zero-interest, zero-fee loans to individuals (up to $25,000), non-profits (up to $50,000), and small businesses (up to $50,000) affected by the fires. Applyhere.
To help restaurants recover in times of critical need, DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create theRestaurant Disaster Relief Fund.
Pacific Community Fund launched zero-interestLA Fire Relief Fund Loan Program to help affected residents and essential workers.
Alliance for a Better Community has launched the Fuerza Fund to provide emergency cash assistance to essential workers and households.Apply here.
CERF+ offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster. Applyhere.
PACE is offering low-interest loans of $5,000 through their Disaster Express Loan Program to provide fast, flexible relief for individuals, families, and small businesses.
State tax relief is available for individualsandbusinesses affected by the fires, including the option to get copies of your tax records and a one-month filing extension on your tax returns. Learn more atCDTFA.
Emergency and disaster assistance for employers is available throughEDD. Employer support services may also be available along with Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits for eligible workers. For more information, visit Disaster-Related Services FAQs.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) offersDisaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for workers, such as self-employed individuals, who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits and lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the disaster.
Restaurants Care has opened a temporary fund to provide emergency relief grants ranging from $350 to $1,500 to food and beverage workers impacted by the Los Angeles Area Fires, applyhere.
Musicares, a nonprofit safety net of health and welfare services for the music community, is offering immediate assistance to anyone in the music industry, including $1,500 in financial aid and $500 food vouchers. Eligibility requirements include having worked in the music business for five years or more.
Dramatists Guild Foundation has Crisis Relief Grants available to dramatists (composers, lyricists, playwrights, librettists) who have evacuated or experienced loss in the fires. The grants can be used for rent, medical needs and insurance payments. More information and applications can be found online.
Getty is launching the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. Starting January 20, impacted artists and art workers canapply for an emergency grant at cciarts.org.
TMC Community Capital has launched theLA Wildfire Reflief Fund, offering immediate $5,000 grants to entrepreneurs whose livelihoods have been impacted.
Upcoming Workshops
Join the LA SBDC live webinars to learn about SBA Disaster Loan eligibility and the application process, gain insights on small business insurance, and have the opportunity to get your questions answered in real-time.REGISTER HERE
This webinar will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.Tues, Jan 21, 2025 11:00 AM
Thurs, Jan 23, 2025 11:00 AM
Fri, Jan 24, 2025 11:00 AM
The SBA is offering financial assistance to help businesses and homeowners rebuild on January 17, 2025 at 10:00am PT, registerhere to learn more.
California Insurance Commisioner Ricardo Lara announced a free two-day insurance support workshops on January 18 and 19 in Santa Monica and January 25 and 26 in Pasadena to help survivors understand their insurance policies and the claims process, while also providing information about available resources for rebuilding and recovery. This workshop is open to all those impacted by the recent wildfires.
Consulting Services
Bet Tzedek and Public Counsel are offeringfree legal assistance to small businesses affected by the fires.
The Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles (LAEDC) offers no-cost consulting services tohelp businesses overcome challenges and find alternatives to layoffs.
BusinessSource Centers (BSCs) across the City of Los Angeles can providefree one-on-one consultation, business and employment support, and assistance with applying for forthcoming microenterprise grants and microloans.
Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation Business Assistance Team is offering confidentialbusiness assistance services and steps forPlanning For Business Operations After Natural Disasters.
The City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department offers credit and debt counseling tohelp business owners counter negative financial impacts, recover, and strengthen their financial health.
Legalmiga Law is offering free contract guidance and review to individuals and businesses affected by the wildfires. The firm can assist with leases, vendor agreements, client contracts and insurance policies. Requests for assistance can be submitted online.