November and December 2023
The California Small Agricultural Business Drought & Flood Relief Grant Program is focused on agricultural businesses and farmer that have been impacted by the draught conditions. Free government grant money, tax credits and other support is provided to those that have lost revenue due to draught. Learn more here. https://cadroughtfloodrelief.com/
LA County Rent Relief Program is for landlords, including small business owners that own apartments, homes, etc. that they lease out. Grant money will be provided to landlords, those those of color, who had challenges during the COVID pandemic. Up to $30,000 is provided to a landlord, and apply here. https://lacountyrentrelief.com/
September and October 2023
Grant money is for small restaurants in California, mostly independently owned ones. They help immigrants, minorities and women owned food places too. The programs include California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care, or the Resilience Fund, which is the one open now. Learn details on and apply for Resilience Fund grants. www.restaurantscare.org/resilience.
Les Dames d’Escoffier International, also known as LDEI-SF, is providing free grant money to female owned businesses in San Francisco. There is cash awards, networking, and other assistance given to recipients of the grant money. Applicants do not need to be part of the agency. https://lesdamessf.org/FemaleEntrepreneurGrantandMentorship
San Francisco women owned businesses in the food/restaurant, hospitality or service industry can get free grants from the Female Entrepreneurship Grant and Mentorship Program. The funds are for existing businesses in the San Fran and Bat area. For information, or to apply, email the non-profit LDEI-SF Business Grant Committee at maryg@noevalleybakery.com
July 2023
San Francisco businesses can get free government grant money from one of 2 programs. They include the Storefront Opportunity Grant Program as well as the Business Training Grant Program. The money will help businesses with a storefront/physical location in San Fran, with a focus on equality and helping underprivileged owners and parts of the city. Get details here. https://sf.gov/information/find-grant-your-small-business
Bakersfield small businesses can apply for government grants ranging from 5 to 40K. The money will pay for rent, salaries, inventory, and other bills that the MWBE or immigrant business has. Training is also provided by the Bakersfield College Launchpad, Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce, Cal State Bakersfield’s Division of Extended Education and Global Outreach or the Small Business Development Center, and look here for grants. https://www.bakersfieldcity.us/35/Doing-Business
April and May 2023
Santa Barbara Foundation is providing $2,500 grants to small businesses and even owners that are self-employed. Applicants also need to have under 50K in annual revenue, with a focus on immigrants, MWBE and disadvantaged owners. Dozens of grants will be provided, and apply here. https://www.sbfoundation.org/covid-19-business-community-resources/microbusiness-grant-guidelines/
Excite Credit Union of Santa Clara County is providing grants and/or low-cost loans. There is a focus on minority-owned businesses and companies owned by immigrants. Another focus is on micro-businesses to help them get money for operations. Continue reading. https://excitecu.org/
Restaurants throughout the state of CA, including immigrant, veteran, and MWBE owned, can apply for free $5,000 grants from the California Restaurant Foundation. The program is funded by San Diego as well as Pacific Gas & Electric as well as Southern California Gas. the program is known as the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund, and apply here for a $5,000 grant. https://restaurantscare.org/resilience/
January 2023 and February 2023
The LA County Economic Opportunity Grant program is a government grant programs for businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. The funds are for micro-businesses with under 50K in annual revenue. A focus is on minority owned, immigrants, women and people with a disability or poor credit. All applicants need to have had a negative impact to their businesses during the COVID pandemic. Apply here. https://go.smallbizla.org/recovery
Alameda, Amador, Contra Costa, and El Dorado County microbusinesses can apply for free grant money. The applying business needs to be very small, with under $50,000 in annual revenue. The state partnered with Chabot Las Positas Community College District to disburse the money. All free grants are first come and served, with applications in Spanish as well as for businesses owned by women and people of color. Apply here. https://sites.google.com/swccd.edu/clpccd/application
El Dorado County has a grant program for non-profit organizations. Applications are accepted and screened by the Women’s Fund El Dorado. Applicants need to be focused on, among other things, social or economic inequality, programs that help women or minorities, arts and craft causes and more. The programs include Inspiration Grants, Acorn Funds, and others. Apply here. http://www.womensfundeldorado.org/
There are California grants from 2022 as well. The agencies that operated them can serve as a referral or give business owners more information. Locate 2022 MWBE Grants and Loans in California.
By Jon McNamara