Mayor’s Fund for LA awards COVID relief grants to small chambers of commerce

The nonprofit Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles announced Thursday that its relief fund for small chambers of commerce has awarded grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 to 22 chambers.

“Small businesses are key to our economic recovery. They are the heart of our communities and are responsible for almost 50 percent of our jobs in Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. “Through our chambers of commerce, they have found the support needed to stay afloat. These grants will ensure our chambers of commerce are able to continue supporting small businesses and uplifting our workforce.”

The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles noted the effort and resources that small chambers have put into providing assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19, while having their own resources decrease due to declining membership dues and fundraising.

“This is an example of how our recovery can be stronger and more strategic when government, philanthropy and the private sector work together,” said Deidre Lind, president/CEO of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles. “Small businesses bring life to our main streets and employ more Angelenos than any other source. By helping these small chambers weather the pandemic, we’re helping them assist thousands of small businesses across Los Angeles.”

Grants were awarded based on the size of the chamber, how the pandemic impacted them, and what recovery services they offered businesses. The goal of the grants was to ensure the small chambers of commerce could continue helping Los Angeles’ small businesses recover from the pandemic. Chambers qualified by having annual revenues of $750,000 or less, being located within the city of Los Angeles and primarily serving businesses within the city.

The recipients are as follows:

• the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of CA
• the Canoga Park West Hills Chamber of Commerce
• the Century City Chamber of Commerce
• the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce
• the Greater Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce
• the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce
• the Greater Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce
• the Encino Chamber of Commerce
• the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Greater LA Inc
• the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West
• the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce
• the Los Angeles South Chamber of Commerce
• the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
• the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce
• the Studio City Chamber of Commerce
• the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley
• the Universal City-North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
• the Venice Chamber of Commerce
• the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce
• the Westside Chamber of Commerce
• the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
• the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce.

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