BCIF Awards $20K Grant to CBFF for the Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund

Black Cooperative Impact Fund (BCIF) is proud to stand with the Los Angeles community in supporting those affected by the Eaton Canyon wildfires of January 2025. In a show of solidarity and action, BCIF is awarding a special one-time $20,000 grant to California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF)’s Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund, specifically to aid Black-owned businesses in Altadena/Pasadena, CA that were directly impacted.

While BCIF typically provides zero-interest microloans to help Black entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses, the devastating effects of these wildfires called for an urgent response. This grant is a testament to our unwavering commitment to economic resilience and Black business empowerment—even in times of crisis.

“These neighborhoods, once places of promise and opportunity for middle-class Black families unable to purchase homes in other parts of Los Angeles because of racist covenants and redlining, are no longer,” said Marc Philpart, CEO of California Black Freedom Fund. “Too often, in the wake of a disaster, Black communities are displaced and marginalized in recovery efforts, breaking up beloved communities and diminishing generational wealth. Together, we can support an equitable recovery for historic Black neighborhoods and ensure Black permanence.”

At BCIF, we believe in the power of community-driven solutions. By investing in relief and recovery efforts, we are strengthening the foundation for Black-owned businesses to rebuild, thrive, and continue creating generational wealth.

For more information about the Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund, visit California Black Freedom Fund’s website.