Economic Impact Fund

The Fire Recovery & Resilience Initiative is the first grant opportunity of LAEDC’s new Economic Impact Fund, created to support small business recovery, resilience, and long-term growth in Los Angeles County.

This initiative will provide direct relief to small businesses and community-based organizations (CBOs) that suffered losses in the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires, with a focus on businesses that have not accessed other major aid programs.

• $5,000 grants for approximately 80 small businesses

• $25,000 grants for 4 community-based organizations providing direct technical assistance and recovery support

Businesses must meet all of the following to be eligible:

• Located in or primarily serving one of the designated wildfire disaster zip codes

• • Palisades Fire: 90049 (Brentwood), 90263 (Malibu), 90265 (Malibu), 90272 (Pacific Palisades), 90290 (Topanga)
• • Eaton Fire: 91001 (Altadena), 91023 (Mt Wilson), 91024 (Sierra Madre), 91011 (La Cañada Flintridge), 91104 (Pasadena), 91107 (Pasadena)
• • Businesses outside the listed ZIP codes may still be considered on a case-by-case basis if they can demonstrate significant impact due to proximity to the disaster zone.

• In operation at least 6 months before the fires (registered on or before July 1, 2024)

• Less than $2M in annual revenue (most recent year)• In good standing with all local, state, and federal requirements

• Experienced direct financial losses due to the fires (closure, damages, or revenue decline)

• Commit to receiving 1:1 technical assistance from LAEDC staff

Grant funds may be used for:

• Marketing to increase customer sales and traffic

• Infrastructure rebuilds

• Workforce rehiring

• Digital transition

• Strategic or operational pivots

• Debt payments

• Applications Open: August 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM PT

• Applications Close: October 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM PT

• Notifications Sent: Within 2 weeks of close

• Funds Disbursed: October 2025

• Follow-ups: 3, 6, and 12 months post-award

Application Support: LAEDC will update this page with an FAQ section and additional information as the application process continues. Additionally, throughout the application period, LAEDC will provide support opportunities including virtual office hours and dedicated in-person sessions. Please check back here for dates and more details.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload the following documents as part of their application. Applications may be submitted without all documents; however, missing materials may impact our ability to fully assess your eligibility and funding request.

1. Proof of Business Operations

• California Secretary of State registration (Corporations & LLCs only)

• Current business license or permit

• Lease agreement, mortgage statement, or other proof of location

2. Client Base Verification (if business is outside designated zip codes)• Invoices showing 50% or more of clientele located in wildfire disaster area (Jan–Jun 2024 OR Jul–Dec 2024)

3. Proof of Financials

• 2023 or 2024 Federal Business Tax Returns (all pages, unaltered) – e.g., Form 1120, 1120s, 1040 Schedule C, 1065, or 1099

• For self-prepared taxes: IRS tax transcript

4. Proof of Disaster Impact (any one of the following)

• FEMA determination letter

• Photos of fire-related damages (property, equipment, inventory)

• Business invoices or bank statements (Jan–Mar 2025 or Apr–Jun 2025)

• Insurance claims or canceled contracts

• Attestation letter from a recognized community organization

• Police reports, news articles, or similar documentation

5. Identification

• Valid government-issued photo ID (CA Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, Consular ID, etc.)

6. Proof of Bank Account

• One month of statements from a business account (registered under legal entity or DBA)

• For sole proprietors: personal bank account statement in applicant’s name

Applications will be reviewed using a scoring rubric that evaluates:

1. Impact of the fire on operations

2. Recovery efforts taken to date

3. Intended use of funds

4. Equity alignment (priority to underserved and disadvantaged business owners)

Priority will be placed on businesses that have already made recovery attempts, can show a clear and strategic use of funds, have not accessed other major relief programs, and are led by equity-priority owners (e.g., woman-owned, minority-owned, immigrant-owned, veteran-owned, or classified as small businesses/microenterprises).

A small number of $25,000 sub-grants will be awarded to CBOs that demonstrate the ability to extend recovery support to impacted businesses.

Eligible organizations must:

• Have a proven track record serving small businesses in underserved or disaster-impacted communities

• Possess operational and administrative capacity to manage funds

• Demonstrate strong community trust and outreach capacity

• Propose a clear, scalable recovery support plan