The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is proud to announce the distribution of $19.1 million in direct cash assistance through the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds to support small businesses, nonprofits, and workers impacted by wildfires.
Thanks to a regionwide public-private-philanthropic partnership, this funding is providing:
- $14.52 million in grants to 1,372 small businesses and nonprofits (awards range from $2,000 to $25,000)
- $4.62 million in grants to 2,309 workers (each receiving $2,000)
Next Steps
Starting April 8, grantees will start receiving award notifications from AidKit, the program’s third-party administrator. Awardees must complete enrollment by April 19 to receive their grants via direct deposit or prepaid debit card.
Support the Recovery
Because the impacts of the windstorms and wildfires were far-reaching and funds are limited, not all eligible applicants can be funded at this time. DEO has placed those still in need on a waitlist pending additional contributions. Organizations and individuals can donate via SoCal Grantmakers to help support those in need: lacounty.gov/relief.
These awards are made possible through generous contributions from organizations that have stepped up to help our communities rebuild and recover, including LA County, the State of California, Maersk and APM Terminals, LA Rises, led by Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, business leader and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Casey Wasserman, Fire Aid, California Community Foundation – CalFire, Wells Fargo, Kayne Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, Hilton Foundation, Prologis, Publicis Media, The Korean American Association of Southwest, and New Jersey Capital.
The program is made possible through partnerships with the County’s Center for Strategic Partnerships, SoCal Grantmakers, City of Los Angeles’ Economic and Workforce Development Department, AidKit, and the City and County’s network of job and business centers and providers.
Resources & Updates
Resources, assistance, and up-to-date information to support businesses and workers as they navigate recovery and rebuilding efforts are available at: https://bit.ly/DEOWildfireResponse
