Call for Volunteers

To support our community, the Board is calling for volunteers of financial services professionals, including, but not limited to:

• Financial planners
• Attorneys
• Accountants
• Insurance agents
• Real estate experts

Our goal is to create opportunities to volunteer your time to educate and assist impacted families in need of financial guidance during this vulnerable time. Details are still to come, but we are working quickly to design pro bono events to fit the needs of our community.

If you are interested in participating, please sign up for our volunteer interest form. You can also help by sharing the volunteer interest landing page with other professionals who may be interested in providing pro bono financial services for those impacted by the fires.

Resources to Share

Small Business

• LA Region Small Business Relief Fund: Grant applications will open in February to support small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the fires. To contribute to the fund, email Stephanie Holloway at funds@opportunity.lacounty.gov and Libby Williams at Libby.Williams@lacity.org.
• LA Region Worker Relief Fund: Applications to open in February to support workers displaced or impacted by the wildfires.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): Low-interest, disaster loans may be available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes in areas covered by a disaster declaration.
• Free walk-in business counseling from the SBA at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce (2525 Main Street #103), Monday - Wednesday, 9 am - 5 pm.
• City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD): The Wild Fire Resource landing page includes free layoff aversion consulting, job loss assistance, credit and debt counseling, free legal education and representation to qualified small businesses and more.
• EWDDs Survey of Impacted Businesses

Tax Relief

• Federal & State Filing and Payment Extensions: Taxpayers in Los Angeles County have until October 15, 2025, to file tax returns and pay taxes that would have been due between January 7 and October 15, 2025. The extension applies to personal and business taxes.
• Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief: Potential tax relief for losses that exceed $10,000. Form ADS-820 must be filed within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed.
• Prop 19 Transfer of Base Value: If property was damaged or destroyed by a Governor-declared disaster, Prop. 19 provides for the property's tax base to be transferred to a comparable property in California.

Scam Prevention

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Investment Scams Related to the Wildfires

Loans, Insurance & Disaster Relief

• CA Dept. of Insurance: Find recovery tips, contact information for your insurance company, or help with questions about how to file a claim.
• Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants from the CA Dept of Insurance
• United Policyholders: A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and an effective voice for consumers of all types of insurance in all 50 states. UP has three-plus decades of expertise in wildfire recovery and insurance claims.
• USA.gov: Information including assistance finding housing and financial assistance after a disaster.
• Ready.gov: Helps the public prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
• Los Angeles County Government: The latest updates on impacts from the windstorm event impacting the Los Angeles region, including wildfire, power outage, road conditions and other updates.
• The FEMA app: Available for both Android and iOS and is free to use and download on Google Play and the Apple App Store. You can also download the app via text messaging. On an Android device, text ANDROID to 43362; on an Apple Device, text APPLE to 43362.

Families & Child Care

• Project Camp: Day camp for kids located near Pasadena, impacted families can register here.
• YMCA is offering free child care.
• How to talk to children about wildfires, evacuations and losing a home

Health & Safety

• N95 Masks: N95 masks are available at all LA County Library locations while supplies last. A limited amount of N95 masks will be available at the following Santa Monica libraries: Main Library, Montana Branch, and Pico Branch.
• Ash and Dust Clean Up: LA County Public Health has tips, including advising against using leaf blowers or power washing ash and debris.
• Interactive map of areas affected by LADWP Do Not Drink Water Notice
• Returning Home Safely After a Fire: Dozens of downloadable PDF resources, including "Precautions When Assessing Your Property After a Fire," "Returning Home After a Fire," and "How to Clean Up Smoke and Soot from a Fire." 

Volunteer & Donate

• LA County Relief: Funding & Resource Portal: Links to support dozens of organizations aimed at helping first responders, small businesses, and the greater Los Angeles community.
• L.A. Works: Learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Governor's Office of Emergency Services Donation Portal
• Santa Monica Community College Disaster Support
• Trojan Family L.A. Wildlife Relief Fund: Contributions directly support USC students, faculty, and staff in need.
• Bruin Wildlife Relief Funds: Contributions to support UCLA students and employees.

Have resources to add? Contact Theresa Pablos at tpablos@wealthenhancement.com.