Steadfast LA and Banc of California Expand Wildfire Recovery Support With Second Round of Small Business Grants
Steadfast LA, in collaboration with Banc of California, has taken another significant step in supporting local economic recovery by distributing a second round of small business recovery grants through its ongoing Small Business Initiative. This latest phase awarded a total of $400,000 to ten small businesses across Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena, and the Pacific Palisades—areas deeply affected by recent wildfires.
When combined with the first round of awards distributed earlier in the year, the initiative has now delivered $525,000 in direct financial assistance to help independently owned businesses rebuild, retain employment, and restore stability to the neighborhoods they call home. To mark the milestone, Steadfast LA also released a video showcasing the grant recipients and their stories of resilience, documenting how this funding has offered a lifeline in the aftermath of severe disruption and loss.
Restoring the Heart of Local Communities
Small businesses are often considered the backbone of local communities—for the jobs they create, the services they provide, and the identity they help to shape. In many neighborhoods affected by recent Los Angeles-area wildfires, these businesses were not just storefronts or service providers but longstanding gathering places and essential service hubs.
From cafés where neighbors share daily routines, to pharmacies that serve as critical healthcare touchpoints, to veterinary and dental practices that residents rely on—each business plays a role in maintaining the social and economic health of the community. The damage caused by wildfire-related destruction, smoke infiltration, and extended service disruptions rippled far beyond physical repair costs, in some cases threatening the future viability of deeply rooted establishments.
The second round of grants targeted businesses that faced a spectrum of challenges: some lost their facilities entirely, others suffered severe structural or smoke damage, and many experienced steep declines in revenue as customers and residents were displaced. Despite these challenges, many business owners expressed a commitment to rebuilding and staying connected to the communities they have served for years, and in some cases, generations.
Leadership Statements: Supporting Recovery and Resilience
Rick Caruso, Founder and Chairman of Steadfast LA, emphasized that the initiative is rooted in a belief that restoring local businesses is inseparable from restoring the broader community.
This initiative is about standing shoulder to shoulder with small business owners who define the character and strength of our neighborhoods,” Caruso said. “They’ve been through an incredibly tough year, but their determination to rebuild is what makes Los Angeles extraordinary. By helping them recover from the wildfires, we know entire neighborhoods will come back stronger.
Caruso’s remarks underscore a foundational truth about neighborhood identity: when local businesses disappear, communities lose more than access to services—they lose memory, routine, livelihood, and shared connection. The goal of the grant program is not only to rebuild storefronts but to re-knit the social fabric and daily culture of the affected neighborhoods.
Jared Wolff, Chairman and CEO of Banc of California, echoed that sentiment and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to community engagement and on-the-ground support.
As the largest independent bank based in Los Angeles, with deep ties to local communities, we see firsthand how much small businesses mean to the neighborhoods we serve,” Wolff said. “By helping local entrepreneurs rebuild after these wildfires, we’re strengthening the foundation of the communities that make Los Angeles such a dynamic place to live and work.
For Banc of California, the grant partnership is part of a broader commitment to long-term economic resilience—especially in the face of increasingly frequent natural disasters impacting California communities.
Businesses Receiving Support
The ten businesses awarded grants in this round represent a range of industries and service roles:
| Business | Location | Industry / Service Type |
|---|---|---|
| Altadena Beverage and Market | Pasadena | Grocery / Community Retail |
| Beach Side Café / Upstage Catering | Pacific Palisades | Food & Hospitality |
| Bulgarini Gelato Artigianale | Altadena | Restaurant / Specialty Foods |
| The Palisades Dentists | Pacific Palisades | Medical / Dental Care |
| Palisades Garden Café | Pacific Palisades | Restaurant / Café |
| Juicy Ladies | Pacific Palisades | Café / Health Food |
| V’s Restaurant + Bar | Malibu | Restaurant & Hospitality |
| Pacific Palisades Veterinary Center | Pacific Palisades | Veterinary / Pet Care |
| Vittorio’s | Pacific Palisades | Restaurant / Local Dining |
| Knolls Pharmacy | Pacific Palisades | Healthcare / Pharmacy |
Each of these businesses has a longstanding presence and plays a meaningful role in the daily life and continuity of its community. For some, the grant funds will be used to rebuild interior facilities, replace damaged equipment, restore inventories, or retain employees while customer traffic gradually returns. For others, especially those completely displaced, the funding provides crucial support during relocation or reconstruction planning.
Launched in August 2025, Steadfast LA’s Small Business Initiative was created to provide direct grants of up to $50,000 to small businesses affected by the region’s devastating wildfires. The program is specifically designed to offer grant-based support rather than loans, reducing financial burden for businesses already facing extreme hardship.
The initiative was seeded with a $1 million contribution from Banc of California, allocated through its Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund. Steadfast LA has contributed additional financial support as well as program administration, outreach coordination, and business recovery assistance.
The first round of grants, distributed in September, focused on three Altadena businesses with acute recovery needs. The success and urgency demonstrated in that initial distribution helped shape the expanded scope represented in the second round.Looking Ahead: Continued Support and Community Strength
While the grants mark a significant step forward, both Steadfast LA and Banc of California acknowledge that recovery is a long-term process. Small businesses continue to face challenges related not only to physical rebuilding but also to labor shortages, insurance complexities, and shifting economic conditions following the displacement of residents.
The organizations plan to continue evaluating recovery needs and will explore additional funding and support opportunities as rebuilding progresses. The emphasis will remain on keeping local businesses rooted in the communities they serve—a vital part of restoring economic stability, protecting local jobs, and ensuring neighborhood continuity.
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