LA Fires Small Business Relief Opportunities — A Living Document of Hope & Help

30+ links and counting

Updated 1/13/25 at 6:15p

So many of you have reached out asking how you can help and support the Los Angeles community, angels that you are.

There are so many great resource lists going around to help in the immediate aftermath of the destruction. Truly, witnessing the outpouring of support from and for Angelenos makes you dizzy with love for this town.

But I can’t tell you how many people who represent the creative heart of Los Angeles have been deeply impacted by these events… and how devastating it is to lose not only your home but your livelihood.

The Eaton and Palisades fires didn't just take homes and office buildings — they took the studios where painters stared at canvases until 3am, the home offices where writers finally finished their manuscripts, the garages-turned-workshops where craftspeople made magic with their hands. They took the spaces where florists arranged tomorrow's wedding bouquets, where sewists transformed fabric into wearable art, and where designers sketched out their next big ideas.

But here's the thing about LA's creative community — we've always been really good at turning devastation into determination. In that spirit, we’re gathering every possible lifeline for our neighbors who lost their spaces, their tools, and their livelihoods.

Whether it's small business grants, emergency funding, or just a fellow artist offering their spare studio space — we want it all here.

Big institutional support? Add it.
That random connection who knows someone who can help? Drop it in.
Your cousin who has extra art supplies? Yes, please.

Every bit of help matters when you're rebuilding from ashes.

If you're someone with skills or resources to share, please add your info with:

• What you can offer

• How many people you can help

• Your time availability

I’ll keep adding to this post as offers come in. Share it, add to it, spread the word. While LA's creative spirit might be a bit singed around the edges right now, together we can help it flourish again.

With hope,

Michelle

P.S. Keep checking back — this document will grow as our community rallies together.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) offers up to $15,000 in zero-interest and zerofee loans for immediate assistance with temporary housing, purchase of essential supplies such as clothing and medicine, among other emergency needs. There are also a limited number of loans up to $2,000 without a guarantor that are available on a first come, first served basis. JFLA is also helping support small businesses and nonprofits with emergency needs such as purchasing inventory, relocation costs, signage and marketing, and replacement of computers and essential equipment, among other needs.

IATSE—Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation (Disaster Relief) Funds from the foundation can help pay for food, clothing, shelter and other necessities for IATSE members affected by natural disasters. Additionally, Local 80 has opened their stage at 2520 West Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91505 as a relief shelter. If you are affected by the local fires, please call Local 80 (818.526.0700) for additional information.

The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant provides emergency, need-based financial support to painters, sculptors, and printmakers who have experienced catastrophic, unforeseen events. To qualify, applicants “must be able to demonstrate a minimum involvement of ten years in a mature phase of his or her work.” Deadline is ongoing and the average grant awarded is $5,000 with a maximum of $15,000.

LA Art World Fire Relief is a mutual aid fund launched on GoFundMe by artists and art workers with the initial goal of raising $500,000. The funds will be distributed to artists and art workers who have experienced full loss or severe damage to their home, studio, or crucial personal property. Individuals in need of assistance should fill out this form. Those who are able to offer mutual aid (temporary housing, clothing, legal aid etc.) and would like to do so can fill out this form.

CERF+ Craft Emergency Relief Fund is open to craft artists ages 18 and up, this emergency relief fund provides $3,000 for those who have experienced a “substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.” The fund accepts applications on a rolling basis and has recently issued a statement welcoming those affected by the Los Angeles fires to apply.

Artists’ Fellowship, Inc. provides financial assistance to visual artists and their families experiencing an unexpected emergency situation, natural disaster, disability, bereavement, or extreme hardship. The aid is open to active visual artists who can demonstrate that their livelihood is funded through the sale of artworks, including painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, installation, photography, and mixed-media. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most PNP organizations to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, even if there is no physical damage. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that would have been met if not for the disaster. Businesses can apply for loans of up to $2 million.

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. For more information, email musicaresrelief@musicares.org or call 800-687-4227.

Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation is providing emergency funds for members of the theatrical distribution and exhibition community affected by the Los Angeles-area fires. The three-year employment eligibility is waived for natural disaster assistance. The application can be accessed online.

Federal Emergency Management Agency announced federal sister assistance is available to the state of California to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from January 7 and continuing. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online, calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA app.

Dramatists Guild Foundation has Crisis Relief Grants available to dramatists (composers, lyrists, playwrights, librettists) who have evacuated or experienced loss in the fires. The grants can be used for rental costs, medical needs and insurance payments. More information and applications for the grants can be found online.

Inclusive Action has launched a new emergency fund to help outdoor workers that includes street vendors, landscapers and recyclers affected by the fires. Through this fund impacted outdoor workers can apply for one-time cash assistance support of $500. Recipients will receive cash payments on a first-come, first-served basis, and as funding allows. The application can be found online in English and in Spanish. For more information call 213-435-1151 or email info@inclusiveaction.org.

The Black Music Action Coalition has announced an immediate relief fund with a focus on Black residents and small businesses in the L.A. area affected by the ongoing and devastating fires. The organization will disperse 100% of monies received to relief efforts with urgency as funds come in.

The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has launched a natural disaster relief fund for music professionals in Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas. Funds raised will go to help those recoup the loss of music-related equipment as well as medical bills related to the fires and other vital living expenses. Head here to donate or fill out an application.

The We Are Moving the Needle Microgrants Wildfire Relief Fund is designed to support “early and mid-career producers, engineers, and creators who have lost studio space or gear” in the wildfires. Those wishing to donate can go here (stay tuned for application.)

The 100 Percenters has launched an LA Wildfire Relief Fundraiser to benefit professional songwriters, producers, artists and music professionals “with verifiable industry contributions” who reside “in wildfire-impacted areas” in Los Angeles County and “can demonstrate wildfire-related loss and financial need.” The fund will provide immediate financial assistance with grants up to $2,500 for housing, transportation and essentials; support rebuilding efforts with grants of up to $10,000 to replace equipment and “restore creative spaces”; and offer mental health support with grants of up to $2,000 for counseling and wellness services. Donate here. (Stay tuned for the application)

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Printshop LA is offering pay-what-you-can prices for visual artists that need to reprint lost artwork or make new art. We want artists to keep making art. We’ve always offered pay-what-you-can prices for artists and right now is no different. We want to help artists cut through the obstacles to making their art exist. Email contact@printshop.la to get set up.

Artist Material Exchange is a crowdsourced, ongoing document for artists to list materials they have available, as well as materials needed.

Artist Adam Alessi is accepting donations of art supplies and coordinating to get those supplies to affected artists. DM on instagram to request supplies.

The Guitar Center Music Foundation and Guitar Center are supporting those affected by the fires in Los Angeles with a special one-time grant replacing instruments and gear destroyed by the fires. We do not offer cash – the grant will only replace instruments and/or gear. Proof of loss or address may be required.

LAEDC has created a Guide to Planning for Business Operations After Natural Disasters with important information and resources to help you plan your next steps.

WARP, Los Angeles-based tech-forward logistics company, is offering free transportation and storage for affected businesses at their local LA-are facilities. In addition, any shippers working to move large-scale donations of food, water, essentials are free to use their facilities as a drop-off and pick-up point as well. WARP’s CEO Daniel Sokolovsky can be contacted directly at daniel@wearewarp.com to help coordinate transportation and donations. Alternatively, Director of Operations Brandon Wood is available to help, b.wood@wearewarp.com.

Legal Miga Law is offering free contract guidance and review to individuals and businesses impacted by disruptions or delays caused by the Los Angeles-area wildfires. The firm can assist was leases, vendor agreements, client contracts and insurance policies. You can submit your request for assistance online.

Naomi Zelin is a trauma relationship therapist; “I have 2 pro bono sport open for anyone impacted by the fire needing mental health support 4-6 seasons with option to stay on at sliding scale cost. I am trained in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing which will be the pain modalities used for our work. I work with couples and adult individuals, Telehealth.” Email Naomi@humblyelevated.com for support.

Substance Social Club is offering free month of community for heart-centered connection and creative entrepreneurial tools and resources for female visionaries and creatives. They’re also offering grant subsidies to any entrepreneurs impacted who’d like to join their Business Planning Coaching Group.

Zolana Therapy is offering free or low-cost support for residents in CA impacted by the LA fires who are in need of therapy, emotional support, or help in getting connected to needed resources. Email hi@zolanatherapy.com for more.

Creating Forward Studio is offering strategic consultations for beauty, wellness, design brands and founders to help create roadmaps for founders or small brands who are operating on short staffed teams to help keep their momentum. Email Sax@creatingforward.studio for more.

Samantha Fackler is offering any women online business owners affected by the LA fires a pro bono Deep Dive coaching session (75 min.) and 2 weeks of async slack coaching support to figure out next steps with their online business as they heal and rebuild. Email scmullett@gmail.com for more.

Lisa at Genius Loci has four 1-hour 1:1 somatic/healing/grief management sessions available for adults, teens and/or youth. Reach out to geniuslociagency@gmail.com for more.