The City of Pasadena has established the Microenterprise Recovery Grant Program to assist local, low-to-moderate income, micro-enterprises (businesses with 5 employees or less) impacted by the 2025 Eaton wildfire and windstorm. This program is a reimbursement-based grant of up to $5,000 per business designed to support the stabilization and recovery of affected businesses. This program is funded with federal grant dollars through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Grant funding can only be used for eligible expenses that have not been covered by other sources of assistance (e.g., insurance, FEMA, or other grants). If selected, grantees must sign an affidavit affirming that they understand CDBG funds cannot duplicate other reimbursements.
Important Dates
Applications open: March 19, 2026
Applications close: April 30, 2026
Applications are now closed.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible business owners must meet all of the following criteria at the time of application submission:
- Operate a brick-and-mortar physically located within Pasadena city limits
- Current Pasadena Business License
- Micro-enterprise of 5 employees or less including owners
- Business owners must be below 80% area median income (AMI). To check if your income is below 80% of the median, visit FY2025 Income Limits.
- Have experienced an economic hardship due to the recent fires or storm damage (supporting documents demonstrating hardship will be requested)
- Business owner must have SAM.gov clearance. If you need support with your SAM.gov application, the Economic Development team can help you get connected with an advisor who can provide free 1-on-1 technical assistance.
Ineligible businesses include:
- Vice-related businesses such as adult entertainment establishments, cannabis-related businesses, liquor stores, tobacco and vape shops, gambling establishments, pawn shops, or check cashing
- Churches, schools, colleges, universities, government buildings and nonprofit offices are not eligible
- Businesses pending litigation with the City of Pasadena
- Franchise chains not locally owned
Eligible Expenses
Grants are restricted to the following eligible expenses:
- Overhead and operational cost
- Rent and utilities
- Business inventory, supplies, equipment and tools
- Insurance premiums
- Legal services
- Marketing and advertising
- Salary and wages for employees (excluding owners)
In addition to CDBG-ineligible costs outlined in 24 CFR Part 570, funds cannot be used to:
- Reimburse expenses incurred prior to applicant grant award
- Pay-off non-business debt such as credit cards for purchases not associated with the business
- Personal expenses, or to support other businesses in which owner may have interest
- Direct financing to political activities or paying of taxes and fines
Read the Microenterprise Recovery Grant Guidelines for complete details. For additional support, please email economicdevelopment@cityofpasadena.net or dmembreno@cityofpasadena.net.