CA Fires Disaster Resource Links

Courtesy of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. 

Below, you will find a list of resources that may help you and your loved ones navigate this crisis. From immediate shelter to financial aid and emotional support, these organizations are ready to assist:

Emergency Relief and Recovery Resources

• Red Cross Shelters: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery/find-an-open-shelter.html.

• Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services): Evacuation orders and local emergency services at https://www.caloes.ca.gov.

• FEMA Assistance: Apply for federal disaster aid at https://www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 for immediate emotional support.

• Feeding America: Locate a food bank near you at https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank.

• California HOPE Program: Free crisis counseling available at https://www.calhope.org or call 1-833-317-HOPE (4673).

• ASPCA Disaster Response: https://www.aspca.org.

• California Department of Insurance Wildfire Resource Center: Assistance with insurance claims, policy reviews, and legal questions related to wildfire damage. Visit: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/. Helpline: 1-800-927-4357.

Small Businesses Resources

• SBA Disaster Assistance Loans: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest loans to businesses and nonprofits affected by natural disasters. Apply online: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Contact the SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

• California IBank Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program: Offers loan guarantees of up to 95% for small businesses unable to access traditional financing. https://www.ibank.ca.gov/small-business/disaster-relief/.

• California Rebuilding Fund: Supports small businesses recovering from disasters with flexible, affordable loans. https://www.connect2capital.com/p/californiarebuildingfund/

• Small Business Legal Assistance: Local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and organizations like California Lawyers for the Arts offer free legal advice for wildfire-related business issues. Find an SBDC near you: https://americassbdc.org

• FEMA Small Business Resources: Guides for rebuilding and adapting your business post-disaster. Visit: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/small-business. 

• California Small Business Resources for Disaster Recovery: Information on grants, loans, and recovery strategies tailored for California small businesses. Visit: https://business.ca.gov/

• SCORE Wildfire Recovery Mentorship: Free, expert mentoring for businesses navigating disaster recovery. Visit https://www.score.org

• Local Chambers of Commerce: Many chambers provide grants, guidance, and connections to resources for small businesses during wildfire recovery.

• Google’s Crisis Response for Small Businesses: Temporary advertising credits, tools, and resources to help businesses maintain online visibility. Visit https://www.google.com/crisisresponse.

• Shopify Disaster Assistance Program: Provides financial relief and tools for e-commerce businesses affected by natural disasters. Learn more: https://www.shopify.com/.

If you need additional guidance, reach out to your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at https://business.ca.gov/.