Michelle O'Grady from Team Friday, Jodi Jacobs of Market Start Official, and Annie Choi of Found Coffee are gathering support for local small businesses impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires.

The Support Small Businesses: Insurance Deductible Relief Fund is being created to support impacted small businesses with cash-based mutual aid to help cover the costs of deductibles for insurance claims.

Our community's small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, providing jobs, services, and the unique character that makes our town special. In the wake of recent devastating events, many of these businesses are facing a crucial hurdle to recovery: insurance deductibles that can range from $2,500 to $25,000 or more, depending on their policy and type of coverage.

The Reality of Insurance Deductibles:

Commercial property insurance deductibles typically range from 1-5% of the coverage amount. For a business insured for $500,000, this means a deductible of $5,000 to $25,000. Business interruption insurance often carries separate deductibles of $2,500 to $10,000. Wind and hail damage deductibles can be even higher, sometimes reaching 5-10% of the property value.

While insurance will eventually help these businesses rebuild, many cannot afford to pay these substantial deductibles upfront. Without immediate assistance, they risk:

Delayed repairs and extended closures

Loss of employees who cannot wait for reopening

Permanent closure due to cash flow issues

Cascading effects on other local businesses and workers

Our Goal:

We aim to raise $100,000 to help as many local small businesses cover their insurance deductibles. This assistance will be distributed based on demonstrated need, with priority given to:

Businesses with 25 or fewer employees

Locally-owned establishments

Businesses essential to our community's recovery

Those facing the highest deductible-to-revenue ratios

Your Contribution Makes a Difference:

$500 helps a small shop cover part of their deductible

$2,500 fully covers a typical business interruption insurance deductible

$5,000 helps a medium-sized business meet their property insurance deductible

$10,000 could save a larger establishment from permanent closure

Every dollar donated goes directly to helping these businesses pay their insurance deductibles so they can begin repairs immediately. We will distribute directly to businesses beginning January 21st.

Team Friday Inc. will handle all fund management and payments to affected businesses. Jodi, Annie, and Michelle have begun to connect to the 240+ businesses that have filled out the google form. Fundraising will continue for as long as there is need.

A final impact report will be shared with all donors that request one.

Help us keep our local business community strong. Your contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to full recovery. Together, we can bridge the gap between disaster and renewal.

To sign up as a recipient, please visit - https://forms.gle/16vNDos7A4cuPA5W8