May 29, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

$390,000 Distributed to Santa Monica Small Businesses

78 Santa Monica small businesses received $5,000 grants

By Staff Writer

This month, 78 Santa Monica small businesses received $5,000 grants from community members, business leaders and nonprofits that donated to the City’s “We Are Santa Monica” fund and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Foundation.  

“This has been such an unprecedented and challenging 18 months for our businesses,” said Jennifer Taylor, the City of Santa Monica’s Economic Development Manager. “We know many business owners are still struggling with outstanding bills and expenses, and we hope these grants can provide extra support to our small business community.”

According to the City, 475 local businesses applied, and 78 grantees were chosen through an online, randomized application system.

“As cities plan and begin to implement their COVID-19 economic recovery strategies, it is imperative that they do it equitably to ensure that small businesses owned and led by women and people of color aren’t left behind – and the City of Santa Monica is doing just that,” said Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, Executive Director of LISC LA. “LISC LA is proud to be able to partner with the City of Santa Monica on these recovery efforts, and we hope that with additional funding, we can continue to help the city rebuild and distribute this economic relief across the city.”

The SaMo Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to support brick-and-mortar businesses based in Santa Monica with annual revenues below $2 million. Applicants and grantees were located across the City, and program funds were distributed and managed by Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles (LISC LA) on the City’s behalf. A wide variety of businesses received a SaMo Small Business Recovery Grant, with funding distributed across all neighborhoods to a range of industries. 

According to the City, of the 78 businesses that received a grant:

·         50% are minority-owned or led by people of color

·         51% are from Low- or Moderate-Income (LMI) Census tracts

·         50% are women-owned or led

·         44% of grantees reported annual revenues below $250,000

·         76% of funding went to services or retail industries

·         36% of grantees are located in the zip code 90405

“We are proud to support our small business community and thank our generous donors to the Santa Monica Chamber Foundation and We Are Santa Monica Fund for their contribution to such a tangible relief effort,” says Laurel Rosen, President/CEO of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
Santa Monica businesses interested in additional grant programs are urged to apply for the newly announced $1.5 billion in state funding as part of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. State grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 are available for eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Businesses must apply through the State’s funding portal for this entirely separate grant opportunity. For more information and to apply by September 30, visit www.CAReliefGrant.com

<>Related Posts

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...

(Video) Main Street Bars & Restaurants Give a Taste in 10th Annual ‘MAINopoly’ Event

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The event took place Sunday, May 25, transforming five blocks of Santa Monica’s Main Street into a Monopoly-themed culinary experience...

Sen. Allen’s Wildfire Relief Bills Advance, Targeting Insurance Reform, Firefighting Jobs, and Housing Protections

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The bills reflect a comprehensive approach to recovery, addressing immediate needs like insurance payouts and long-term strategies like workforce stability...

Friends of Ballona Wetlands to Host Migration Celebration May 31

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The celebration will feature avenger hunts, a science lab, and native plant sales, offering attendees a chance to engage with...

SMC to Launch Inaugural Collaboration Showcase with Free Concert

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Introduced this spring, the class allows students to explore a variety of small ensemble styles, including jazz combos, chamber quartets,...

Volunteer Event to Restore Hillside and Clear Debris in Palisades

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Organized by local nonprofit Palisades Beautiful, the event will take place near the intersection of Marquez Avenue and Bollinger Drive...

Ben Affleck’s Daughter Recounts Harrowing Experience During Wildfire, Draws Parallels to COVID Response

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Affleck, a Yale undergraduate and vocal public health advocate, recalls evacuating to a hotel with her family as flames tore...

Former Irvine City Manager Tapped as New One For Santa Monica

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Oliver Chi to take over July 14, pending council approval The Santa Monica City Council announced Friday the selection of...

Malibu Launches 24/7 Armed Patrols to Protect Fire-Damaged Neighborhoods as PCH Reopens

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

City Partners With Private Firm Covered 6 and Law Enforcement Ramps Up Presence In anticipation of the reopening of Pacific...

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Mourns the Loss of Beloved Groundskeeper Abel Orozco

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Dedicated SAMOHI Employee, Orozco Leaves Behind a Legacy of Care The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) issued a statement...

Over 100,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Los Angeles County Before July 4th

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Cal Fire, ATF Uncover Massive Stockpile, Urge Residents to Report Incidents More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated...

Resilient Palisades Named Nonprofit of the Year by Sen. Ben Allen

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Volunteer-led group honored for climate resilience work and wildfire recovery efforts Resilient Palisades, a grassroots environmental organization based in Pacific...

Governor Announces Early Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway After Wildfire Closures

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Major Stretch of PCH Reopens May 23 After Months of Wildfire-Related Closures Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that State Route...

Film Review: Final Destination: Bloodlines

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

FILM REVIEWFINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINESRated R110 MinutesReleased May 16th  This is the sixth entry in the Final Destination movie franchise that...