Los Angeles BusinessSource Small Business Grant
LA City Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD)
Up to $10,000
LA city grants through BusinessSource Centers
The Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department operates the BusinessSource Center network across LA, providing free technical assistance and periodic grant funding to small businesses. EWDD administers competitive grant cycles — including the LA Small Business Relief Fund and targeted Recovery Grants — providing awards of up to $10,000 to Los Angeles businesses for working capital, equipment, and operational recovery. Grant windows open periodically based on City funding allocations.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $2,500 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awardees receive $5,000–$10,000 depending on cycle and funding pool size.
- Deadline
- Rolling technical assistance year-round; grant cycles open periodically — check ewdd.lacity.org for current intake status
- Status
- active
- States
- CA
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Business must be physically located within the City of Los Angeles (not just LA County)
- Minimum 1 year in operation at time of application
- Annual gross revenues typically under $1 million (some cycles up to $2M)
- Must be a for-profit small business entity
- Business must not have received duplicate assistance from the same LA EWDD cycle
- Owner must be 18+ and business must be compliant with LA City business tax registration
- Preference given to businesses in low-to-moderate income census tracts in many cycles
- Employee count typically 50 or fewer (some cycles restrict to fewer than 25)
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: true
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital and operating expenses
- Equipment and machinery purchases
- Inventory
- Rent and utilities (limited — in recovery-specific cycles)
- Marketing and website development
- Professional services
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Debt repayment or loan payments
- Real estate acquisition
- Businesses outside City of Los Angeles limits
How to apply
-
1
Register with your local BusinessSource Center
Enroll as a BusinessSource client at your nearest LA BusinessSource Center (locations across LA including Boyle Heights, Hollywood, South LA, Pacoima, and more). Registration is free. Advisors will assess your business and notify you when grant cycles open to registered clients.
~1.5 hrs
-
2
Receive technical assistance and prepare documentation
Work with your BusinessSource advisor to complete a business profile, gather required financial documents, and develop a clear use-of-funds statement. Centers provide this assistance at no cost.
~3 hrs
-
3
Apply during an open grant window
When EWDD opens a grant cycle, registered BusinessSource clients apply through the EWDD portal or BusinessSource application system. Application windows are short — typically 2–4 weeks.
~2 hrs
-
4
Review and award notification
EWDD reviews applications for eligibility and scores them based on financial need and use-of-funds plan. Award notifications sent within 4–6 weeks of window close. Awardees must submit signed grant agreement before disbursement.
~0.5 hrs
Enroll in BusinessSource before a grant opens — cycle announcements go to existing clients first and windows fill fast. BusinessSource technical assistance is valuable on its own (free marketing, legal, financial coaching) regardless of grant timing.
Deadline & timing
LA EWDD grant programs open in cohort windows, typically 2–4 weeks, and are heavily oversubscribed. BusinessSource Centers provide year-round free services regardless of grant availability. Subscribe to EWDD email list or follow LA City Controller's small business announcements for next cycle alert.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.