Small Business + Non-Profit Training & Grant Program (California)

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) initiative, the City of San Bernardino has partnered with the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer the Small Business & Non-Profit Training & Grant Program.

Donor Name: City of San Bernardino

State: California

City: San Bernardino

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline:

Non-profits: 11/21/2022
Small Businesses: 12/12/2022

Size of the Grant: $10,000 – $35,000

Details:

The Training & Grant Program will provide training and funding to small businesses and non-profits needing financial assistance in overcoming the loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All eligible businesses and non-profits are invited to apply.

The Training & Grant Program, under SBDC’s leadership and training, is aimed at assisting small businesses and non-profits with driving their organizations to the next level. During the training period, business owners will work on putting together their path toward growth as they evaluate and develop their metrics, benchmarks, teams, financials, triggers, and strategies to reach the next level of growth. Trainees will learn how to de-risk expansion and get involved in proactive growth.

The biggest obstacles in growing a business include:

Intelligent Planning
Cash
People
Customers

Categories of growth include:

New Revenue Streams
Entering New Market Segments/Expanding Customer Base
Expanding Team
Acquiring New Technology/Equipment
Adding Strategic Partners
New/Additional Location
Mergers and Acquisitions

Funding Information

For Profit – $10,000 – $35,000
Non-Profit – $10,000 – $35,000

Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the Small Business & Non-Profit Training & Grant Program, a business or non-profit must meet certain criteria that have been established by the City of San Bernardino and the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Treasury for utilizing ARPA funds. The business must also demonstrate the need for financial support resulting from the loss of revenue due to the impact of COVID-19.

General Terms and Conditions

The business or non-profit applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for grant funding:

The business or non-profit must be physically located in the City of San Bernardino;
Be a “small business” defined as having fewer than 500 employees, OR be a “home-based business,” OR be a “non-profit;”
- If a “non-profit,” must be a 501(c)3 or 501(c)19 with a principal office located within the City of San Bernardino and operating since at least July 2019. The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that if the Applicant receives a grant and the Applicant’s organization ceases to operate, the Applicant may be subject to return of all or any portion of such grant.
Residential or real estate projects including short-term rental operators are not eligible;
Have an active San Bernardino Business License and/or Home Occupation Permit at the time of the application;
The business or non-profit must be in good standing with the City (current on bills, no liens or judgements, etc.), unless directly correlated to COVID-19 impacts;
The business or non-profit must not be suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal funding;
The business or non-profit must complete the required training;
The business or non-profit must submit the application and all required supporting documentation; and
The business or non-profit applicant must certify that it was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of a business being negatively affected by the pandemic include, but are not limited to:
- A decrease of 25% or greater in sales.
- The business has had to lay off at least one of its employees (Full or Part time).
- One or more of the employees in the business have contracted COVID-19, while at work.
- Qualified as an “underserved small business group” (if this is satisfactorily met, no other hardship must be provided).
  - Women, minorities (people of color), veteran-owned business where the majority (at least 51%) of the business is owned and run on a daily basis by said group(s)
  - Businesses operating in “low-to-moderate income (LMI)” or “qualified census tract” communities
    - “Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI)” or “qualified census tract” means any census tract (or equivalent geographic area defined by the Bureau of the Census) in which at least 50% of households have an income less than 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI), or which has a poverty rate of at least 25%.