Eligibility Requirements

For the purpose of this Program, a “qualified small business” means a business that meets all of the following criteria, as confirmed by the office or fiscal agent through review of revenue declines, other relief funds received, credit history, tax returns, payroll records, and bank account validation: 

1. Must be a for-profit business with $3 million or less in annual gross revenue as reflected in Applicant’s most recently filed, federal business tax return. 

2. Must have experienced at least a 70% loss of revenue due to the COVID -19 Pandemic from March 1, 2020 to present, as well as the 2023 double Hollywood Strikes between May 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023. 

3. At least 70% of revenue must come from the Entertainment Industry sector. 

4. Loss must be equal to or greater than grant amount requested. 

5. Business must have been registered to do business legally in the state of California and/or any other applicable jurisdiction prior to December 30, 2021, or other similar business filings. 

6. Active business currently in operation that is in good standing with all local, state, and federal taxing and licensing authorities. 

7. Must have a current physical location within the County of Los Angeles as of May 2023. 

8. Negative economic impacts from COVID – 19 Pandemic March 1, 2020 – present, as well as the 2023 double Hollywood Strikes between May 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023. 

9. Must not have received a grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) from Los Angeles County. 

10. Application must be submitted by a majority owner that is at least 18 years of age as of the date of application. 

Equity Explorer Tool

The BIF is targeted to entertainment related small and micro businesses that are located in the highest, high, and/or moderate impact areas (tiers) on the COVID-19 Vulnerability and Recovery Index, using the Equity Explorer Mapping Tool. Click on the link to identify which tier your business is in and to see if you are eligible.

The Tool uses the COVID-19 Vulnerability and Recovery Index to identify and visually sort County, cities, and communities into five need tiers ranging from highest to lowest need based on COVID-19-related risk, severity, and recovery need. Using this information, the County will target BIF funding toward communities with the greatest need only in the top three Tiers. If your business is in the low or lowest tier, you are not eligible for funding.

In July 2020, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors created the Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative to prioritize the County’s ongoing commitment to fighting racism and inequity in all its dimensions. As such, the ARDI team created the Equity Explorer Mapping Tool which allows users to identify high need areas throughout Los Angeles County disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and inequity.

Ineligible Businesses

In order to qualify for this Program, businesses must not be any of the following: 

1. Nonprofit organizations.

2. Religious or Churches.

3. Government offices or agencies.

4. Publicly traded companies. 

5. Corporate-owned franchises. 

6. Financial institutions, such as banks, lenders, pay day lenders, auto title lenders, check cashers, other businesses whose stock in trade is money and mortgages, and other similar entities. 

7. Insurance companies, such as life, auto, home, bail bond, and other similar entities. 

8. Private or social clubs. 

9. Pawn shops. 

10. Astrology, Palm Reading. 

11. Liquor stores, night clubs. 

12. Lobbying firms or businesses who dedicate 50% or more of their time or resources to lobbying activities. 

13. Businesses that engage in gambling activities, such as Bingo parlors, casinos. 

14. Adult bookstores and businesses that present live performances of a sexual nature. 

15. Businesses that generate income through activities performed in violation of state or federal law, including the sale, cultivation, or transportation of marijuana. 

16. Businesses that exist for the purpose of advancing partisan political activities. 

17. Gun or ammunition stores. 

18. Businesses or organizations which are, or whose owners, officers, partners, directors, and/or principals are, currently suspended, disbarred, ineligible, or excluded from participation in federal, State, or County assistance programs or from receiving federal or State financial or nonfinancial assistance and/or benefits.  

Required Documents

The following documents are required to apply for this Program. You must upload them during the application process in Lendistry’s Portal. 

1. Applicant Certifications: 

2. Most recently filed, complete, unaltered federal business tax return (IRS Form 1120, IRS Form 1065, or IRS Form 1040 Schedule C)

3. Official filing with the California Secretary of State (which must be active) or local municipality, as applicable, for your business or organization, such as one of the following:

• • Articles of Incorporation;
  • Certificate of Organization;
  • Fictitious Business Name filing;
  • Professional license;
  • Government-issued business license or permit.

4. Proof of location via utility bill or similar third-party document, as applicable

5. Acceptable government-issued photo ID uploaded via Persona, which will be embedded in the application

This list is not exhaustive. Lendistry may contact you by email, phone, and/or text (if authorized) to request additional documentation to verify the information you submitted in your application.

Eligible Uses of Funds

1. The purchase of new certified equipment.

2. Restock of liquidated inventory.

3. Lease, rent, or mortgage payments. 

4. Payment of business debt accrued due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 double Hollywood Strikes. 

5. Costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and safety restrictions, or business interruptions or closures incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 double Hollywood Strikes. 

6. Employee payroll expenses. 

7. Working capital to continue operations. 

8. Payment of outstanding business expenses (supplier management, etc.) 

9. Grant awards may not be used by awardee for regranting or for any uses or expenses that the awardee has been, or will be, reimbursed for under any federal program. 

Program and Application Guide

The Program and Application Guide includes an overview of the Program, tips for applying, and step-by-step instructions on how to complete and submit the application.