California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program New Rounds Announced

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides competitive micro-grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions. On 7/14, Governor Newsom signed into law the largest economic recovery package in state history. The additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, makes California’s small business relief program the largest in the country. The funding will support small businesses and nonprofits that have been highly impacted by COVID-19.

“With three new rounds to aid equitable economic recovery, California is keeping its promise to small businesses, families and individuals to push back on the pandemic-induced financial hardships and create the environment for small businesses to come back better than before,” said Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate.

The dates for the new funding rounds are below:

In accordance with the signed legislation (SB 151), there will be a closed round for existing eligible applicants who were waitlisted in previous rounds. These applicants do not need to reapply. There will be at least one additional round for nonprofit cultural institutions. Additional information can be found at CAReliefGrant.com and below:

Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3rd through Thursday, September 16th

Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds – only existing waitlisted applicants will be selected to move forward in the validation and verification review process. Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.

Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000

Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted

Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only:

Application window: Friday, August 27th through Wednesday, September 8th

Eligible applicants: Only non-profit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Approximately $16 Million dollars remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1,2, 5, or 6.; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019

Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Application window: Thursday, September 9th through Thursday, September 30th

Eligible applicants: current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com

Additional information can be found at www.CAReliefGrant.com

California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Tips

Question: Where can small businesses and nonprofits get help on how to apply?

• The CA Relief Grant website (Application Tips): https://careliefgrant.com/tips/
• The CA Relief Grant website (Application Videos): https://careliefgrant.com/videos-on-demand/
• The CA Relief Grant website (Partner Webinars): https://careliefgrant.com/webinars/
• The CA Relief Grant website (Arts and Cultural Program for eligible nonprofit cultural institutions): https://careliefgrant.com/arts-and-culture/
• Over 500 Statewide Partners in every county and in 18 languages: https://careliefgrant.com/

Question: Who can I contact to get updates on my application status or assistance with the application portal?

Lendistry Contact Information:

Call Center hours:

Monday – Friday – 7AM – 7PM

* Call Center for Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program: 888.612.4370

* Call Center for Arts & Cultural Institutions/Round 8 only: 866.759.5320

Email: careliefgrant@lendistry.com