LA County and City of Los Angeles Open Applications for the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds
Direct Financial Assistance Available for Businesses and Workers Impacted by the January 2025 Windstorm and Wildfires
Los Angeles, CA — Small businesses, nonprofits, and workers affected by the devastating January 2025 windstorm and wildfires can now apply for direct financial relief through the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds. Applications are open from February 6, 2025, through February 24, 2025. To apply, visit laregionfund.lacounty.gov. Distribution of funds is set to begin in mid-March.
In partnership with the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched these relief funds to provide immediate financial support and alleviate further economic hardship for wildfire impacted small businesses, workers, and the communities they serve.
“Our communities have faced immense hardship from the Los Angeles County wildfires, so these grants are a crucial step toward recovery,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “By providing direct financial relief to small business owners and workers, we are helping rebuild livelihoods and giving a much need boost to our local economy. I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply and take advantage of this critical support.”
The Relief Funds will have two grant options available:
- Small Business Relief Fund: Provides grants ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 for businesses and nonprofits that experienced structural damage, inventory loss, or revenue loss. Open to businesses with annual revenue up to $6 million and fewer than 100 employees.
- Worker Relief Fund: Provides $2,000 in direct cash assistance to workers who lost employment or income due to the wildfires. Eligible applicants must have been employed or self-employed (including domestic workers) in Los Angeles County at the time of the disaster.
Priority will be given to brick-and-mortar businesses that were completely destroyed, followed by those with partial damage or loss of revenue, equipment, or inventory. Workers who have permanently lost employment due to workplace closures caused by the wildfires will receive priority, followed by those who have experienced temporary employment loss or reduced hours.
“These relief funds are a vital step in supporting those who have been severely impacted by the January 2025 windstorm and wildfires,” said Hilda L. Solis, Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor for the First District. “We are committed to helping our small businesses and workers recover and rebuild. By providing this direct financial assistance, we are ensuring that those who have faced financial hardship due to these disasters can access the resources they need to regain stability and continue contributing to our communities. This support is especially crucial for our Latino workforce, including domestic workers, who are often among the most vulnerable during such crises. By offering this assistance, we are helping these essential workers get back on their feet.”
“Los Angeles County stands with our workers, small businesses, and nonprofits that have been impacted by the recent devastating wildfires. These relief funds are our commitment in action to ensuring communities that have been hardest hit can rebuild, recover, and thrive. This is just the beginning of the ongoing work ahead to deliver the necessary support and resources to help our local economy get back on its feet,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.
“The wildfires have had devastating impacts across our communities, disrupting the lives of residents, workers, and small business owners,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “LA County has launched the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds, ensuring critical financial support reaches those who need it most. Together, we’re committed to rebuilding our communities quickly and equitably, ensuring no one is left behind in the recovery process.”
“On top of the many thousands of people who lost their homes in these fires, we have people across the county who lost their livelihoods. Full recovery from this disaster is going to take years, but our priority has to be getting people the help they need as soon as possible to stay afloat,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District.
“Small businesses are the fabric of our city and the anchors of our community. That’s why LA leaders are coming together to provide relief to those impacted by the wildfires. Thank you to the philanthropic partners who are providing this support so that businesses and workers can get the direct cash assistance that they need to recover and rebuild. To impacted small businesses, workers and nonprofit organizations – I hope you will consider applying today. I know we will get through this together, we are LA Strong,” said Mayor Karen Bass.
“We know that for so many businesses, workers, and families, this disaster has upended lives overnight,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity. “These relief funds are more than just financial assistance—they are a commitment. A commitment to standing by our small businesses as they reopen, to helping workers regain stability, and to ensuring our communities have every resource they need to recover.”
“Through this initiative the City of Los Angeles is working with our regional partners to get the financial resources into the hands of Angelenos as quickly as possible. With the distribution of these grants, we strive to provide the financial support necessary for businesses and workers who have lost employment and other assets to regain economic stability and rebuild their communities,” said Carolyn Hull, General Manager, Economic and Workforce Development Department for the City of Los Angeles.
Applicants can find detailed program and application guidelines on the grant website, including an overview, tips, and step-by-step submission instructions. These resources are available in 14 different languages.
Additionally, to ensure an equitable and accessible application process, DEO and EWDD, in collaboration with local municipalities, will provide multilingual support and technical assistance at Disaster Recovery Centers, America’s Job Centers of California, the County’s Office of Small Business, the City’s WorkSource and BusinessSource Centers, and community-based organizations. Informational webinars will also be available on February 11 and 12, 2025 to help guide applicants through the process.
The relief funds are made possible through generous philanthropic contributions from Wells Fargo, R&S Kayne Foundation, Prologis, and the Hilton Foundation. The relief funds were kickstarted by DEO with a $1 million contribution of existing funds to support Small Businesses. Fundraising remains ongoing, to help expand assistance and increase the number of awards available. Contributions are facilitated by the County’s Center for Strategic Partnership and Southern California Grantmakers, the County’s fiscal sponsor. Award distribution will be managed by Southern California Grantmakers and third-party administrator AidKit.
“Beyond the incomprehensible physical destruction of this disaster, small businesses, nonprofits, and workers are facing immense financial hardships,” said Brittany Christenson, CEO of AidKit. “We are honored to support LA County and the City of Los Angeles in ensuring that these critical relief funds reach those who need them most—quickly, securely, and equitably. AidKit was built for moments like this, and we remain committed to helping communities recover and rebuild with dignity.”
Organizations interested in contributing and making a direct impact on the community can contact Stephanie Holloway, Head of Intergovernmental Relations and Development with the LA County DEO, at sholloway@opportunity.lacounty.gov
For more information and to apply, visit laregionfund.lacounty.gov.
Grant awards are contingent on the total funds raised, and all qualified applicants are not guaranteed a grant. For other relief and recovery resources, including loans and grants, please visit DEO’s emergency resource hub.
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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major industries, and communities access life changing opportunities, and is also home to the Office of Small Business, LA County’s one-stop shop dedicated to prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.
Contact:Angela Herrera Perez, Senior Public Information Specialist press@opportunity.lacounty.gov