In recognition of the financial barriers that exist for sidewalk vendors looking to participate in the formal economy, Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)launched the Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program.
Donor Name: Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity
State: California
County: Los Angeles County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/02/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Formalization Grant Program will be open to sidewalk vendors who are eligible to receive grants made directly by Inclusive Action for the City for various compliance-related costs required as a condition to acquiring a LA County Sidewalk Vending Registration Certification (SVRC).
Funding Information
$500 to $5,000.
Eligible Uses
Eligible uses of the grant include:
- Required licensing from County, State, and Federal agencies, including a CA State Seller’s Permit, DBA/Fictitious Name, etc.
- Sale processing technology and equipment to allow for card transactions such as a mobile Point of Sale (POS) System
- Additional uses for food vendors:
- Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) and/or Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) Permits from the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH)
- Food manager or food handler certification training
- Purchase of equipment required by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), including DPH approved sidewalk vending carts and fire extinguisher
- Lease of commissary space in accordance with California Food Code
- In addition, both merchandise and food vendors are eligible for the following:
- Business setup costs such as tables, umbrellas and carts (limited to Program offerings).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all grant program requirements in order to qualify. Please note that funding is limited, and meeting eligibility requirements does NOT guarantee a grant award. Requirements include:
- Self-Employed Sidewalk Vendor
- Must be a Sidewalk Vendor that vends food or merchandize. Must also be self-employed and not operate more than one cart. Applicants that apply on behalf of an employer shall be disqualified.
- Geographic Boundaries
- Must vend and operate a vending business on sidewalks in the unincorporated areas of the County and in accordance with the LA County Sidewalk Vending Ordinance. Applicant must live within LA County.
- Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC)
- Must either have an existing Los Angeles County Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC) or seek to become permitted through the grant for a SVRC and any related requirements.
- Business Start Date
- Must have started sidewalk vending business anytime prior to March 2023.
- Revenue Thresholds
- Households with income above $100,000 are not eligible, regardless of the number of members in the household.
- COVID-19 Impact
- Must have experienced financial loss and impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including loss of revenue during March 2019 to March 2023.
- Previous Awards
- The grantee MUST NOT have received a COVID-19 recovery grant funded through ARPA from a local government agency, including the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, or under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
- In Good Standing
- Cannot have a record of repeatedly violating Health and Safety regulations. Business with a record may be reconsidered if able to prove significant effort towards addressing violations and meeting the requirements set forth by the SVRC and CA Health Code.
For more information, visit LACDEO.
