Program Impact
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is proud to stand with small businesses as they continue to recover from the devastating 2025 wildfires.
Since the launch of the Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund (SBDRF) grant program on May 7, 2025, we have provided 259 grants to help our Los Angeles small business community rebuild, recovery, and thrive again.
Small Business Highlight
Hear more from our grant recipients in their own words about how the wildfires have impacted their businesses and communities.
Sidecca
Sidecca – Adriana Molina Hi, I'm Adriana Molina. I'm an Altadena native, also. Our store moved up to Altadena in 2023 and we were open about a year and a half before the fire. Our building is still...
El Patron Restaurant – Margarita Cortez
El Patron Restaurant – Margarita Cortez Margarita Cortez owns and operates El Patron in Altadena, an authentic Mexican restaurant. Margarita received a grant award from the L.A. Area Chamber of...
“This grant came at the perfect time. The $10,000 allowed me to pay my bills and employees. I feel like this was another big sign that I need to continue fighting.”
“This grant didn’t just help us recover. It helped us grow stronger, more connected, and more determined to give back.”
259
Grants Awarded
$2.74M
Distributed
Thank you to our donors for making this grant program possible.
Lendistry’s 10th Anniversary Gala
On October 10, 2025, Lendistry celebrated its 10th anniversary. Among the guests were three SBDRF grant recipients who each received the first ever Lendistry Community Resilience Award.
The recipients, Webster’s Community Pharmacy, Experience Fable, and Amazing Music Store shared their inspiring stories of resilience and strength. Check them out below!
COO
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Patrick Hildebrand Senior
Amazing Music Store
Webster’s Community Pharmacy
Experience Fable
From Left to Right: Martin Breidsprecher (COO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Hildebrand Senior, Meredith Miller, and Mia White
“But through this experience, what we quickly learned is that resilience doesn’t come from bricks and mortar. It comes from people.”
“This award reminds us that recovery is never a solo effort. It’s a partnership between businesses, institutions, and the people who believe in the power of community.”
Grantee Profile
“After the fire, we were able to rebuild the infrastructure we needed to start operating again. It took a village.”
Businesses Bounce Back
In partnership with the Los Angeles Sparks, Lendistry launched Businesses Bounce Back, which focused on showcasing businesses impacted by the wildfires. During the 2025 season, several business owners were invited to home games at Crypto.com Arena to be highlighted during half time and speak from the court about how their communities are recovering.
“Because of this grant, we were able to bring in new employees and retain our longtime staff, the very people who have kept our doors open and our customers cared for over the many decades.”