New Funding Rounds Occurred for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
These efforts provide urgent relief for the small businesses of California.
The governor announced the creation of a new COVID-19 Relief Grant for small businesses which have been impacted by the pandemic as well as the health and safety restrictions. Funds are awarded in amounts up to $25,000 to underserved micro- and small businesses throughout the state. Nonprofits are also be eligible for these grants.
How to Apply
The California WBC Network is your committed business partner, and we’re standing by to help you navigate this grant opportunity. We can help you prepare for application and ensure you have all the needed documentation to be successful in the process.
Lendistry is the state-contracted administrator of the program, which is funded by the State of California through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
Please note — if you have already applied, you were automatically enrolled in the current round, and you do not have to reapply. You may check your application at any time using your username and password. You may not edit the question/narrative part of the application. You can change your documents. Reach out if you have questions.
Visit careliefgrant.com to learn even more.
And learn how to apply by watching this prerecorded webinar.
You could also sign up for an application walk-through webinar in your language of choice or a Q&A webinar!
Plus send an email to wbcnetwork@e-jedi.org to receive updates and tips for successful application.
Call Lendistry for all questions about the grant application and status: 1-888-612-4370 (Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.).
APPLICATION ROUNDS
Deadlines & Information
Round 1
- Application opens Dec. 30, 2020 at 8:00 AM PST
- Application now closes Jan. 13, 2021 at 11:59 PM PST
- Approval notifications start Jan. 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.
Round 2
- Application Opens Feb. 2, 2021 at 8:00 AM PST
- Application Closes Feb. 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM PST
- Approval Notifications Start Feb. 10, 2021
Round 2 is the final application window for the program. Grant awards for businesses in the second application window will be made in two decision rounds for funding.
Round 3 (waitlisted applicants from Rounds 1 and 2):
Friday, March 5th through Thursday, March 11th, 2021
Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in Rounds 1 and 2 – only existing applicants will be selected. 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 4 (nonprofit cultural institutions only):
Tuesday, March 16th through Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021
Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
Details: Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1 and 2; grants will only be available to nonprofits cultural institutions that did not receive funding in Rounds 1, 2 or 3; 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 5:
Thursday, March 25th through Wednesday, March 31st
Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and nonprofits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 do not need to reapply as they will be automatically moved into Round 5. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.
Round 6:
Wednesday, April 28th through Tuesday, May 4th
Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and/or nonprofits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 do not need to reapply and will be automatically moved into Round 6. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.
Latest Rounds
Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds
Selection window: Aug. 3rd through Sept. 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 to an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.
Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only
Application window: Aug. 27th through Sept. 8th
Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meets eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
Round 9: New applicants and waitlisted applicants from previous rounds
Application window: Sept. 9th through Sept. 30th
Eligible applicants: Current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.
Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1-7 do not need to reapply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.
Assistance Webinars (offered by the California network of Women’s Business Centers)
To join us when it works for you! These were online and had no charge.
Our network of WBCs is a partner helping Lendistry get the word out about this state relief grant program. We don’t manage the application or the Lendistry website, but we can support you, provide information and tips, and be there for your business over the long haul.
Learn how to successfully complete the application. This is the best way we can help you! You’ll learn so much by watching and asking questions. Participants share “this was so helpful.” Check out an application walk-through webinar in your language of choice or a Q&A webinar!
Plus review the application guides which are chock-full of tips!
Application Guide for Businesses
Application Guide for Nonprofits
More Information
Get your documentation in order to be prepared to apply when the application windows open.
Necessary documents:
1. Application certification: signed certification used to certify your business
2. Business financial information:
a. Most recent tax return filed (2019 or 2018) – provided in an electronic form for online upload, such as PDF/JPEG or other approved upload format.
b. 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.
3. Government issued photo ID: such as a driver’s license or passport
- One complete application will qualify you to be considered for both rounds, please only apply once.
- Applying through multiple organizations will delay your application from being processed.
- 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.
Grant Amounts
The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Businesses are eligible based on their annual revenue as documented in their most recent tax return:
| ELIGIBLE BUSINESS GROSS REVENUE | GRANT AWARD AVAILABLE PER BUSINESS |
| Annual gross revenue $1,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 grant |
| Annual gross revenue greater than $100,000 up to $1,000,000 | $15,000 grant |
| Annual gross revenue greater than $1,000,000 up to $2,500,000 | $25,000 grant |