Home  ›  news  ›  Resources for Businesses & Nonprofits Impacted by LA Wildfires

Resources for Businesses & Nonprofits Impacted by LA Wildfires

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the wildfires in Southern California. We are thankful for the frontline responders working to save lives, our small businesses, and communities. We are monitoring the situation and have gathered some resources that you can use to help your small business clients in the affected areas. As more resources become available, we will keep you informed. In the meantime, please feel free to share additional resources by emailing us at rapidresponse@cameonetwork.org.

Small Business 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 damages here.
  • Read Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network‘s Disaster 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. Apply here.
  • To help restaurants recover in times of critical need, DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund.
  • Pacific Community Fund launched zero-interest LA 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. Apply here.
  • 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 individuals and businesses 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 at CDTFA.
  • Emergency and disaster assistance for employers is available through EDD. 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) offers Disaster 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, apply here.
  • 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 can apply for an emergency grant at cciarts.org.
  • TMC Community Capital has launched the LA 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, register here 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

Other Resources

  • The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce will connect affected business owners to financial assistance programs, recovery workshops, and expert guidance to help restore operations and plan for the future.
  • Public Councel provides FAQs on Nonprofit and Small Business Employer Obligations With Respect To California Wildfires.

Recursos en Español

Nonprofit Resources

Disaster Recovery Funds

  • California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund provides grants to organizations positioned in the communities they serve.
  • The Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund supports immediate and pressing needs as the fires continues to spread. 
  • 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.

Recovery and Resilience Resources

Government Resources

Federal

  • President Biden approved Governor Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts related to the wildfires currently burning in the Los Angeles area. This declaration includes Individual Assistance programs for affected citizens and businesses, which includes temporary accommodation and financial assistance for destroyed property.
  • Find the FEMA Assistance available for residents impacted by LA County wildfires here.
    • For in-person aid application help, and the nearest Disaster Recovery Centers online or by calling the helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
    • Public Councel is providing legal support at those disaster recovery centers, including help for small businesses, tenants, workers, and legal advice on fraud prevention.

State

  • Call 800-927-4357 to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a Department of Insurance expert.
  • You can apply for unemployment benefits if you lost your job due to the fires.
  • Attorney General Bonta and local leaders have share trips to protect yourself from fraud, price gouging, and scams during and after this emergency.

Local

Other Resources

  • Planet Fitness is offering evacuees and first responders free access to their facilities (showers, locker rooms, WiFi) until January 15.
  • Bath ‘N Buns Mobile Pet Grooming is offering complimentary bath service for cats and dogs affected by the fires.
  • The Mutual Aid LA Network (MALAN) has created a spreadsheet of relief efforts and support services, which is updated daily.
  • Find LA Times articles has provided guidance on how to protect yourself from the smoke caused by the L.A. wildfires.
  • Masc Bloc LA offers free face masks and respirators to limit exposure to wildfire smoke.
  • U-Haul has made 92 company facilities in Southern California available to offer its 30-day free self-storage and U-Box container disaster relief program to help evacuees and affected families.
  • Hair Stylists of Los Angeles have compiled a list of salons that are offering free hair washes. Contact a salon before visiting to make an appointment.
  • The Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency is offering $10 or less fares on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service for travel anywhere on the rail corridor to assist those affected by the Southern California wildfires. Visit pacificsurfliner.com to book travel and see train schedules.
  • Lugg, an on-demand moving company, is offering free moves to those affected by the wildfires, whether you need to transport belongings, donate items or relocate to safety. Details on Instagram.
  • BraidHouse is providing free protective hair styling services, complimentary wigs and personal care supplies for wildfire victims. To access its offers, send a direct message to BraidHouse. 

Health and Mental Health Support

Health

  • GoodRx is offering free online healthcare provider visits through GoodRx Care to Los Angeles-area residents affected by the wildfires. The visits can be used for treatment of routine conditions, or to get refills for essential medications that were left behind or destroyed in the fires. The service can be accessed online and Los Angeles residents can use the code LA-GOODRX-CARE.
  • Santa Barbara Midwifery and Birth Center is offering displaced Los Angeles-area fire victims free belly checks, postpartum care and other services for families who evacuated to the Santa Barbara area. For more information, email sbmidwifery@gmail.com.
  • Ahava Pharmacy in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood is helping evacuees override insurance holdups so they can get the medications they need. Call or text the pharmacy at (310) 299-8079 for help.
  • Remedy Place is offering a complimentary tech-remedy service to all first responders, medical providers and rescue workers through Feb. 1 at their West Hollywood location. Services include a breathwork ice bath, sauna suite, hyperbaric chamber, lymphatic compression and more. For information, email Weho@remedyplace.com. 8305 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069
  • Covered California has opened a special enrollment period for uninsured residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to enroll into health insurance. Enrollment assistance can be found here.

Mental Health

  • The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990): Get 24/7 crisis counseling and support via phone or text.
  • The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to be connected to a live, trained volunteer crisis counselor via text. The service is free, but standard messaging rates apply.
  • Local mental health support: The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s ACCESS Center runs a 24/7 hotline to provide crisis support as well as mental health screening, counseling, and referrals. Call 1-800-854-7771.
  • BetterHelp, an online mental health company, is providing three months of therapy free for fire victims and first responders. To connect with a therapist, email contact@betterhelp.com.

Donate and Volunteer

Emergency Shelters/Food Assistance

  • The Los Angeles County Emergency Incident Response website provides a mapping tool and lists real-time evacuation, shelter, and other information/resources related to the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst wildfires.
  • Emerygency Shelters
    • Use this real-time list of open shelters to find a location near you.
      • Los Angeles: Westwood Recreation Center (1350 S Sepulveda)
      • Pacoima: Ritchie Valens Recreation Center (10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd.)
      • Pasadena: Pasadena Convention Center (300 E Green)
      • Woodland Hills: El Camino Real Charter High School (5440 Valley Circle Blvd.)
    • Airbnb.org offers emergency stays to eligible residents affected by the Greater Los Angeles wildfires.
    • RentSpree is offering to waive or refund application fees for individuals who need to rent property as a result of displacement and/or property damage caused by the fires. For information, email support@rentspree.com after submitting an application through RentSpree. Offer valid through April 8. Only fees paid directly to RentSpree are eligible for reimbursement.
    • The Hotel Assn. of Los Angeles has compiled a list of hotels in the L.A. area that have rooms available and are offering special rates for fire victims. The list is being updated and contains contact information and details on any fire-related special rate.
  • Animal shelters:
    • Agoura Animal Care Shelter (for small pets)
    • Pierce College Equestrian Center (for large animals)
    • Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control: Find shelters accepting animals affected by the fires.
    • Best Friends Animal Society has activated two pet pantry locations that can provide supplies including pet food, cat litter, pet beds and other items as well as human sanitary products
  • Food Assistance:
    • World Central Kitchen distributes free hot meals, find a location near you.
    • The Los Angeles Food Bank offers free food, find your local pantry here.
    • The California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides food assistance for low-income women and children.
    • Sign up for CalFresh or have them replace food lost in the fires.
    • Find food banks in your area.
    • Calamigos Ranch, in Malibu, is offering free breakfast burritos every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Calamigos Beach Club restaurant. The food can be eaten there or picked up and taken back to families. The space can also be used to rest, charge smartphones and computers and use bathroom facilities. 26025 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 90265.
    • Jewish Family Service LA’s SOVA Community Food and Resource Program is open to anyone needing access to fresh groceries, personal care items and additional resources for individuals and families. SOVA offers kosher options. For more information on the program location and hours visit the JSFLA website. 
    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a temporary waiver that will allow participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/CalFresh in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties to buy hot foods using their benefits through Feb. 8. CalFresh recipients can contact the L.A. Department of Public Social Services at (866) 613-3777.
    • Westfield Century City has curated an online list of restaurants and stores within the mall that are offering free meals, snacks or drinks or discounted items.