Malibu-Topanga Business Interruption Fund
Opening July 23, 2025: Grants Available for Malibu & Topanga Small Businesses Impacted by Road Closures
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and DEO are launching the Malibu-Topanga Business Interruption Fund (BIF) to support small businesses suffering financial losses as a direct result of the loss of customers due to the closures of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. This targeted grant program offers to $10,000 to $20,000 in funding to eligible businesses located in ZIP codes 90265 (Malibu) and 90290 (Topanga).
Note: Application guidelines will be available July 23rd, 2025 when the application portal opens.
Application Assistance Events
DEO and AidKit will be hosting application assistance events to support small businesses with their applications.
Topanga Application Assistance Event
The Topanga Application Assistance event will be held on July 29th at 12:00pm at Topanga Library located 122 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290. This is a hybrid event. You can attend in person or via Zoom
Malibu Application Assistance Event
The Malibu Application Assistance event will be held on July 31st at 12:00pm at Malibu Library located 23519 Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265. This is a hybrid event. You can attend in person or via Zoom
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be the business owner and applying for a business that meets all the following requirements:
1. Geographic Boundaries
Businesses must be located in Malibu or Topanga (ZIP codes 90265 or 90290)
2. Small Business Criteria: Business Revenue and Employee Thresholds
Business must have a gross annual revenue no greater than $6 million and less than 100 employees. Applicants will be required to upload their most recent tax returns (filed for 2023 or later) and IRS Form 941, 942 or 943 to verify both revenue and employee count. Businesses with revenue over $6 million will NOT be considered.
3. Qualifying Event and Impact
Businesses must have been directly impacted by the loss of customers due to closures of PCH or Topanga Canyon Boulevard and experienced a revenue loss of more than 10% between January and May 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Eligible impacts include:
- Physical Location Impact: Business is located on a section of PCH or Topanga that was fully or partially closed.
- Access Impairment: Customers had trouble reaching business due to detours, roadblocks, or other access issues.
- Loss of Customer Base: Business lost customers or clients were displaced by the closures.
- Reduced Foot Traffic or Local Activity: Business experienced a drop in in-person visits or neighborhood demand due to the disruptions.
- Temporary Business Closure: Businesses had to suspend operations during the affected period due to the road closures
Please note: Businesses will NOT be eligible if they already have insurance that covers the loss.
4. Type of Business
Grantees must be “brick and mortar” commercial business with a storefront where customers can walk-in. Some home-based businesses that require in-person customer presence, such as daycares, may also qualify. In addition, certain business types are not eligible. Click here for a full list of ineligible businesses.*
5. Business Ownership
Business owner applying for grant must be majority owner and manager of the qualified business. The business must be the owner’s primary means of income for the 2024 tax year.
6. Business Registration Date
Businesses must be headquarters and registered to do business legally in the state of California prior to January 1, 2025.
7. Business must be in Good Standing
Grantees must be active businesses currently in operation and in good standing with all local, state and federal taxing and licensing authorities.
Documentation Requirements
All documents are required. Applications will not be able to be completed or submitted without the required documentation. Incorrect documentation will not be considered.
Proof of Identity and Business Ownership
- Government-issued photo ID
- DBA/Fictitious Business Name Filing
- Selfie that clearly matches the shown in the ID
Proof of Revenue
- Most recent tax return (2023 or 2024).
- Depending on business type, also include:
- For Sole Proprietors or Single-Member LLCs:
- Schedule C showing:
- Owner’s full legal name (must match uploaded ID)
- Business name (if applicable)
- Business address
- Gross receipts (must be $6 million or less)
- Schedule C showing:
- Partnerships or Corporations:
- Schedule K-1 from Form 1065 or 1120S showing:
- Business name and address
- Owner’s name (must match your ID)
- Ownership percentage greater than 50%
- Schedule K-1 from Form 1065 or 1120S showing:
- For Sole Proprietors or Single-Member LLCs:
- Depending on business type, also include:
Proof of Business Type
Applicants will be required to upload one of the following:
- Property lease agreement dated prior to January 1, 2025 displaying business or owner’s name, address and indication of commercial zoning or approved business activity
- Valid sales tax, health permit, or other official license (e.g. license of family daycare) issued and valid as of January 1, 2025 displaying the business or owner’s name, address, business/licensing type
- Business license (if applicable) issued and valid as of January 1, 2025 displaying business name, address and type
Proof of Number of Employees
Form 941, 942 or 943 (2024 or 2023) – Only required for businesses with more than 1 employee
Proof of Business Location in an Impacted Area
Applicants will be required to upload one of the following:
- Lease agreement showing applicant’s or business name and address (include landlord letter, if expired)
- Proof of Property Ownership and 2023 or 2024 property tax bill
- County Recorder Documentation and 2023 or 2024 property tax bill
- Utility bill dated within 90 days of January 7, 2025, showing the business address
Proof of Good Standing
- California Secretary of State Entity Number
- Business License
Qualifying Event Attestation
To qualify, businesses must have been directly impacted by the closures of PCH or Topanga Canyon Boulevard and experienced a revenue loss of more than 10% between January and May 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. As part of the application, applicants must provide a narrative and explain how their business was affected and attest to the impact. Applicants are also encouraged to provide any additional documentation as proof of impact.
Grant Agreement
- Awardees will be asked to agree to using funding in accordance with eligible uses.
- Awardee commits to completing a post-award survey to help assess impact of the award.
Grantee Selection
In addition to being reviewed based on the eligibility criteria, applicants will also be scored and selected according to factors determined by the County, ensuring greatest reach to impacted businesses and labor force and supporting legacy business retention. A lottery system will be used to select grantees in cases where multiple applicants receive the same score for a limited number of awards.
Funding is limited and meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee a grant award. Priority will be given to businesses that have not received previous funding from City of Malibu or LA County grant programs.
Application Support
IT Support: Call 1 (213) 855-3352 or email tmsupport@lacbusinesses.aidkit.org.
Phone number and email are available 24/7. Responses provided between 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday.
Application Assistance: Call 1 (844)-432-4900.
One-on-one support available Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.