Valley Rising Small Business Grant Program

The application for this program is now closed.

Letter from the Donor

From local restaurants and retail storefronts to neighborhood salons and coffee shops, over the last year, we’ve seen the pandemic take an economic and emotional toll on far too many small businesses in our San Fernando Valley community. Many small business owners have had to give up their brick and mortar locations and move their businesses completely online, or, as we see in our neighborhood, many have had to close down permanently.

We started our production company, 44 Blue Productions in June 1984 in Sherman Oaks, California with a family loan of $5,000. Our first “office” was in our spare bedroom. Over the past three decades our biggest achievements have been to have a TV show on the air every year - but more importantly, making payroll every Friday - despite the challenges of our industry and the financial ups and downs of the economy. As we built our business over the past three decades, our company - and our family - depended upon many of the small businesses in the San Fernando Valley – from local delis, coffee shops and shoe stores to dry cleaners, gift shops and nail salons.

As the San Fernando Valley remains at the top of the list for small business closures to date (Yelp), we see the heart and soul of our local community is in jeopardy.

This is why we are launching the VALLEY RISING/Small Business Recovery Fund in partnership with TMC Community Capital, a grant program to help protect small businesses across the San Fernando Valley – so they can meet payroll every Friday as well. We want to support local entrepreneurs like you that create the spaces, places and connections that make our neighborhoods feel like home.

Rasha and Stephanie Drachkovitch (Founders, Drachkovitch Family Foundation & VALLEY RISING)

Meet the Grant Recipients

  • My Sister & I Catering has provided delicious, authentic catering to clients across the Los Angeles area for over 30 years.

  • Burbank-based Lovely Nails has been renowned for its attention to detail and friendly atmosphere since 2003.

  • Velvet Nails has brought affordable, quality nail work and warm hospitality to Sherman Oaks since 2003.

  • Located in Burbank, Ballerina Dancewear has served the Valley with quality dance attire since 2007.

  • Neko Stop is Burbank’s best destination for cute/kawaii gifts since 2017.

  • Sun Spa Tanning has helped customers in Sherman Oaks and beyond look and feel their best for over 12 years.

  • A Studio City mainstay since 2002, Robert Ellis Boutique provides personalized, handcrafted styles to all its clients.

  • Sun & Moon Spa has brought rest and relaxation to the Sherman Oaks community for almost 3 years.

  • No matter how big the ding, scratch, or dent, Vahe Auto Body in Van Nuys has repaired every vehicle with care and pride since 2002.

"Without the aid of organizations such as yourselves, many small businesses would have closed down. We have invested all of our life's savings into this shop, so with your assistance, we can keep our American dream from crumbling apart. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.”

— Lovely Nails

“My parents taught me to save for a rainy day but no one told me it might rain for a year and a half. This grant could not come at a better time to help me stabilize my business.” -

— Robert Ellis Boutique

"We are so grateful for being a recipient for this grant! This will truly help our business as this last year was difficult to survive as a small business owner. We are so thankful for the Drachkovitch Family Foundation & Valley Rising and TMC Community Capital for making this possible!"

-Vahe Auto Body

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

  • Located in the city limits of Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Encino, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake and Burbank

  • Consist of a brick-and-mortar business (serving the neighborhood in which they’re located, where customers can come in or pick up from).

  • 20 employees or fewer.

  • Provide evidence of a profitable business pre-COVID (verified by tax returns). Have annual revenue of between $30k and $3M.

  • Provide evidence of being negatively impacted by COVID.

  • Complete the application process prior to the due date.

  • Agree to have its story told in TMC CC’s print, digital, and audio outlets.

Please note: Ineligible Businesses

  • Professional service businesses (i.e. law offices, marketing agencies, accounting firms, etc.).

  • Medical offices (i.e. dental, optometry, etc.).

  • 50% or more B2B.

  • Home-based businesses.

  • 100% e-commerce companies.

  • Gig-economy workers.

  • 1099 independent contractors.

  • Business involved with the sales of cannabis, tobacco, liquor, adult entertainment, or firearms.

  • Nonprofits, political or religious organizations.

Application Window

Opens: Thursday, June 17 at 9:00am

Closes: Wednesday, June 23 at 11:59pm

Notifications: Monday, June 28th

Grant Size

Grant Amount

$10,000

Number of Grants to be Awarded

10

Does the grant need to be repaid?

No. Grants do not need to be repaid.

Process

Application

Complete the short application below and upload the following documents to be entered into our grant lottery.

Required Documents

  • Copy of current City business license

  • Copy of your 2019 Tax Return

Selection

Those who meet the eligibility requirements will be entered into a lottery. On the designated selection day, grant recipients will be randomly selected from this pool via lottery.

Apply Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Q : Do I have to pay back this grant?

    No, if you are awarded a grant you do not have to pay it back.

  2. Q : Do I qualify if I am a business owner with no employees?

    Yes, you would qualify for this grant program.

    Still have additional questions?

    Please email info@tmccommunitycapital.org