Small Business Grants and Loans in California

The COVID-19 Pandemic has continued to affect small businesses across the United States, forcing many to close down or cut-down on their normal business operations and offerings. Nearly 100,000 establishments have closed permanently since the beginning of the pandemic according to Yelp’s Economic Impact Report. ACMA has compiled the following resources for PPP Grants and Small Business Loans for organizations in California and San Diego County for the businesses in need in our community.

USA Grant Applications: Locate the appropriate funding resources for your establishment when you submit your application to USA Grant Applications. The service offers online training to help guide your funding search, and apply for the right grants that fit your needs.

• Fill out the application and begin your grant search:
  • https://usagrantapplications.org/v9/application/

U.S. Small Business Administration: Various funding programs including PPP, EIDL, and Express Bridge Loans are offered by the SBA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and derivative of the CARES Act. Most services have resumed, and are available for application until March 2021.

• Find the appropriate lenders and services on the SBA website: ​
  • https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

California Relief Grant: Hosted by Lendistry, a minority-led small business and commercial real estate lender is offering a second round of grants, launching in 2021. Over $500 million of grants of up to $25,000 depending of the business’s revenue, has been allocated by Governor Newsom.

• Check your eligibility and sign-up to be notified about the next round of grant applications:
  • ​https://careliefgrant.com/​

CalCAP (California Capital Access Program) for Small Businesses: A program hosted by various lenders to assist institutions who are having difficulty finding funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Find lending partners with CalCAP:
  • ​https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/sb/institutions.pdf

Working Solutions COVID-19 Resource Guide: A resource hub for loans, grants, and webinars to assist small businesses and organizations. Some resources listed include the Latino Small Business Fund, and Businesses led by Women of Color.

• Discover funding partners for causes that align with your business:
  • ​https://www.workingsolutions.org/covid-19-resource-guide

San Diego Small Business Stimulus GrantProgram: Allocated from the federal CARES Act, San Diego will award eligible businesses and nonprofit entities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After application, final awards are recommended by District Offices.

• Check your eligibility and submit your application:
  • ​http://sandiegocounty.gov/stimulusgrant/

San Diego County COVID-19 Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Program (SBNLP): SBNLP is a collaborative initiative to provide low-interest and no-interest loans to small business and nonprofit organizations and aid in the region’s economic recovery from the coronavirus.

• See if you qualify:
  • ​https://sandiegosbnlp.org/nonprofits/pre-screen/

Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund: Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund is focused on supporting racially and ethnically diverse entrepreneurs.

• Start the application process:
  • ​https://us.accion.org/get-a-loan/#/step-1-2

California Rebuilding Fund: Accion is offering a COVID-19 relief product through the California Rebuilding Fund, spanning across Imperial County, San Diego County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County.

• Pre-application:
  • ​https://www.connect2capital.com/p/californiarebuildingfund/