Paris Hilton Raises $1M for Women's Businesses After Disasters

When natural disasters destroy small businesses, women entrepreneurs often struggle the most to rebuild. Paris Hilton is changing that with a new $1 million national fund designed to help them get back on their feet.

The Back in Business Recovery Fund launched through Hilton's organization 11:11 Media Impact and GoFundMe's nonprofit arm. Hilton is investing $350,000 as the lead donor, with GoFundMe.org adding another $100,000 to provide direct cash grants to women-owned businesses impacted by future disasters.

This isn't Hilton's first time stepping up. After the 2025 LA wildfires devastated her community, she distributed over $1 million in cash grants to 50 women business owners who needed help with rent, payroll, equipment replacement, and rebuilding costs.

The results speak for themselves. A year later, 92% of those businesses are back in operation. Hundreds more received free mentorship through the Pasadena Women's Business Center.

"When the wildfires devastated Los Angeles, being able to support the women in my community inspired me to think bigger," Hilton said. "Their strength and determination reminded me why women-owned businesses matter so much."

The fund will deploy money rapidly through local women's business centers following state or federally declared disasters. The goal is to stabilize communities while helping business owners retain employees and support local economies.

Hilton has documented recovery stories through her #SlivingForSmallBiz series on YouTube, showcasing everyone from early childhood education centers to food trucks and florists. The series shows the real impact of flexible recovery capital on rebuilding lives.

The Ripple Effect

When women entrepreneurs receive funding, the benefits extend far beyond individual businesses. These small businesses are often the heart of their communities, providing jobs, services, and economic stability. By helping women rebuild quickly, the fund prevents job losses and keeps local economies moving forward during the hardest times.

The morning of March 9, the fundraiser had already collected over $480,000 from charitable partners. To celebrate, Hilton rang the New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell alongside Gloria Steinem and women business owners who rebuilt after the wildfires.

"Real recovery doesn't happen in a news cycle," Hilton said. "It happens day by day, brick by brick, heart to heart."