California and the federal government are providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19. This includes:

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) has announced that applications for round 1* of the $500 million California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program will open on December 30, 2020. 

The new state-funded grant program is intended to support small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and health and safety restrictions.

• Application Opens Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at 8 a.m.
• Application Closes Friday, January 8, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
• Approval Notifications will begin January 13, 2021

Apply directly at CAReliefGrant.com or with assistance from approved partners (see list).

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY
Announced earlier this month, the program provides grants from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits based on their annual revenue, as documented in their most recent tax return. Owners of multiple businesses, franchises, locations, etc., will be considered for only one grant and are required to apply for the business with the highest revenue.

Review information, prepare your business documents, and get ready to apply at CAReliefGrant.com. To be eligible, you must be an active business or nonprofit operating since at least June 1, 2019, and:

• Currently, be operating or have a clear plan to re-open once the State of California permits re-opening of the business.
• 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.
• Be able to provide 2018 or 2019 tax returns or Form 990s, a copy of official filing with the California Secretary of State or local municipality for the business, and provide an acceptable form of government-issued photo ID.
• Meet the definition of an “eligible small business” (sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 work, and or registered “for-profit” business entity) that has yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue).
• OR, meet the definition of an “eligible small nonprofit” as a 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.

COVID-19 Financial Resources

• Tax relief, including deferrals and credits
• Providing capital to the California Rebuilding Fund to support small business loans
• $50 million in state funding for the Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program and $50 million for the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program via IBank to provide loans to underserved small businesses
• Small Business Debt Relief for existing Small Business Administration (SBA) borrowers
• State-supported small business centers that provide direct assistance from a local advisor
• Authorization for local governments to halt evictions for commercial renters

Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources:

• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Sacramento Regional Resources:

Sacramento Metro Chamber

• Rapid Response Hub

SBDC

• Small Business Resources