The State of California has announced a program that can provide a grant of up to $25,000 to small businesses. Applications will be accepted starting December 30, 2020, at the following website:
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Details
Deadlines
- Application Opens December 30, 2020, at 8:00 AM
- Application Closes January 8, 2021, at 11:59 PM
- Start of Approval Notifications January 13, 2021
Applicants who submitted their application and submitted all documentation in the first round do not need to reapply; qualified applications will be automatically rolled over into the next funding round for consideration.
Eligibility Requirements
A small business or small nonprofit must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to receive a grant award:
- Must meet the definition of an “eligible small business”. An “eligible small business” means (i) a “small business” (sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 work, and or registered “for-profit” business entity (e.g., C-corporation, S-corporation, limited liability company, partnership) that has yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on most recently filed tax return) or (ii) a “small nonprofit” (registered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit entity having yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on most recently filed Form 990)
- Active businesses or nonprofits operating since at least June 1, 2019
- Businesses must currently be operating or have a clear plan to re-open once the State of California permits re-opening of the business
- Business must be impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions such as business interruptions or business closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Business must be able to provide organizing documents including 2018 or 2019 tax returns or Form 990s, copy of official filing with the California Secretary of State, if applicable, or local municipality for the business such as one of the following: Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Organization, Fictitious Name of Registration or Government-Issued Business License
- Business must be able to provide an acceptable form of government-issued photo ID
- Applicants with multiple business entities, franchises, locations, etc. are not eligible for multiple grants and are only allowed to apply once using their eligible small business with the highest revenue
