California Dream Fund Grant Program for Small Businesses

The California Dream Fund Grant Program is funded by the State of California and administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) in conjunction with the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce.

Donor Name: California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce

State: California

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 11/27/2022

Size of the Grant: up to $10,000

Details:

The Dream Fund is intended to seed entrepreneurship, fill opportunity gaps for underserved small business owners to help them reach greater parity in startups, initial revenue creation, and job creation.

The purpose of the funding is to provide financial support and seed entrepreneurship married with technical assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs in underserved business groups, including businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, individuals without documentation, individuals with limited English proficiency, and business owners located in low-wealth and rural communities.

Funding Information

Grants are to be allocated in two amounts by business type:

$5,000
- E-Commerce/Marketplace
- Childcare – Operating in-home
- Small Lab/Makers Space
- Service/Professional/Cottage Industry
- Brick-and-mortar business (operating under a sub-lease and not primary occupant, co-working space, etc.)
- Construction Trade (unlicensed non-general contractor and other subcontractors without license)
- Transportation (semitruck, towing truck, freight site dispatching, broker, etc.)
$10,000
- Childcare – Operating in a Commercial Space
- Brick-and-mortar business (must have a fully executed master lease, sub-lease for which business is primary occupant, or letter of intent in a commercial space. Must be operating a storefront, commercial space, etc.)
- Green Technology/Infrastructure business creating a scalable technology-based company where funds will be utilized for IP, prototype development, or to create a proof of concept through R&D
- Manufacturing business (must have fully executed lease in commercial space)
- Professional (non-consulting)/Scientific/Technical business creating a scalable technology company where funds will be utilized for IP, prototype development, or to create a proof of concept through R&D
- Construction Trades (general contractor, major subcontractor, or other construction trade (e.g., plumbing, electrical, etc.) operating under a valid applicable license
- Agriculture, Wildlife Mitigation/Forestry (either a procurement or other contracting business operating under a state or federal certification from a relevant government body (e.g., U.S. Forestry Service, CalOES, USDA, etc.) or other farming business)

Eligibility Criteria

Each participating entrepreneur must complete a defined small business/entrepreneurship curriculum and one-on-one counseling.
Each entrepreneur/business can only apply and participate once for this program.
Each entrepreneur must have established a legal business entity on or after July 2, 2019.
- Have submitted required documentation to start the business in the State of California, or have proof that your business has begun the registration process for a business license/permit in the State of California before completion of your selected cohort training program.
Each participating entrepreneur must meet the definition of a new business start by fulfilling the following conditions:
- Has acquired the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally AND at least one of the following:
  - Has made a first sale
  - Has hired at least 1 employee
  - Has created a business banking relationship
  - Has spent money on business expenses; this may include legal and accounting fees
Meet the definition of a small business, defined as a business with 5 full-time equivalent employees or less and $1 million or less in annual receipts.