Small Business Micro Grant Stabilization Program

The City of Malibu has established the Small Business Micro Grant Stabilization Program to directly assist local small businesses affected by the recent fires, severe storms, and prolonged Pacific Coast Highway closures. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 are available to help businesses with economic recovery and to retain jobs within the community. The program is funded by City of Malibu resources and administered under the City's General Fund Grant Program framework.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

  • 1. Operate a brick-and-mortar or home-based business physically located within Malibu city limits
  • 2. Have a valid County of Los Angeles business license issued on or before 12/1/2024
  • 3. Be independently owned and operated (not a corporate chain or publicly traded entity)
  • 4. Have experienced demonstrable hardship related to recent fires, storm damage, or road closures (e.g., revenue decline, staffing reductions, business interruptions)
  • 5. Provide a public benefit to the Malibu community
  • 6. Have no outstanding code violations with the City
  • 7. Be in good standing with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations

Eligible Use of Funds

Grant funds may be used for:

  • - Lease or rent assistance
  • - Payroll and employee retention
  • - Inventory replacement
  • - Equipment replacement or repairs
  • - Utilities and insurance expenses
  • - Marketing and promotion efforts to re-establish operations
  • - Costs associated with temporary relocation if needed

Note: Grant funds cannot be used to repay personal loans or expenses

Grant Amounts

Applicants may request funding between:

  • - Minimum: $5,000
  • - Maximum: $20,000

Grant amounts will be determined based on demonstrated need, impact, and available funding. The City will require a proof of funding report, as outlined in the agreement for the selected applicants.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

  • - Completed application form (included below)
  • - Proof of valid County of Los Angeles business license (or statement of exemption)
  • - Proof of financial hardship, such as a profit and loss statement, business bank statements, sales tax receipts, Point of Sale (POS) system reports, payroll records, or other documentation demonstrating disaster-related business disruption
  • - Narrative statement describing financial impact and recovery plans (maximum 500 words)
  • - Copy of current lease agreement, or property ownership documentation (if applicable)
  • - IRS W-9 Form (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification)
  • - Any supporting documentation demonstrating hardship (e.g., revenue loss reports, notice of insurance claim, termination notices, staffing reduction evidence)

Timeline

  • - Application Period Opens: May 1, 2025
  • - Application Period Closes: May 31, 2025
  • - Review and Award: June 2025

Application Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • - Demonstrated financial hardship and need
  • - Overall impact of the fires, storm events, and PCH closures
  • - Viability and recovery potential of the business
  • - Completeness of the application and supporting documentation
  • - All grant awards are subject to available funding and City Council authorization

Acceptable Documentation for Demonstrating Hardship

Note: If you are a newer business without a full-year profit and loss statement, you may submit alternative documentation listed in the program guidelines to demonstrate your hardship. Applicants must submit one or more of the following:

  • - Profit and Loss Statement (2023, 2024 and/or YTD 2025)
  • - OR, if not available:
    • - Business Bank Statements showing revenue loss (e.g., compare recent months to pre-disaster months)
    • - Sales Tax Receipts showing a decline in taxable sales
    • - Point of Sale (POS) System Reports showing drop in transaction volume
    • - Payroll Records showing reduction in workforce or staffing hours
    • - Letter of Explanation (signed by business owner) describing impacts and changes in business activity, such as closures, loss of contracts, event cancellations, or supply chain disruptions
    • - Insurance Claims or Notices related to fire, storm, or business interruption
    • - Lease Amendments or Rent Deferral Agreements showing hardship negotiations with landlords
    • - Utility Bills showing significant change in business operations (e.g., closed for a period, reduced usage)

Business Information

Business Name(Required)
Business Address(Required)
Mailing Address (if different)
For more business license information, visit: https://ttc.lacounty.gov/business-license-general-information/
Is this a home-based business?(Required)

Contact Information

Business Owner(s) Name(Required)

Impact Assessment

Funding Request

Certification

Consent(Required)
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, pdf, png, docx, , Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 10.
    Submit all necessary

    Deadline: Applications and supporting documentation must be received by May 31, 2025, to be considered.

    Contact Parker Davis at PDavis@MalibuCity.org or call 310-456-2489 ext. 287