Property owners in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena burn zones may qualify for grants. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Steadfast LA has opened applications for the Small Business Initiative.

The program, which was initially announced on Aug. 6, is made possible by a $1 million donation from Banc of California. Grant administration is led by LiftFund, an independent nonprofit community development financial institution with more than 30 years of experience providing financial and technical assistance to small businesses.

Business owners impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires can apply online at liftfund.com/la-small-business-initiative. The grant application portal opened on Aug. 11, and grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and determined by the applicants’ need. Small business owners who previously submitted interest forms have been notified by email that the applications are open.

A full list of eligibility and required documents to apply can be found on the program website. Qualifying businesses must be located in Palisades, Malibu or Altadena, and the applicant must reside in L.A. County or neighboring counties. Applicants must also have experienced physical or financial disruption due to the January 2025 wildfires and operate from a storefront location (no online-only businesses).

Grant application assistance is available by calling LiftFund at (888)215-2373.

In addition to financial support, Steadfast LA will continue highlighting the resilience of fire-impacted entrepreneurs through a social media campaign designed to encourage consumers to shop local and support businesses during recovery.

LiftFund provided rapid deployment of nearly $400,000 in emergency grants within days of the January wildfires. The continued investment in small business recovery underscores the need for sustained, long-term support to rebuild and move forward with resiliency.

For information, visit steadfastla.com.