Are You Looking for COVID-19 Funding Assistance for Your Nonprofit in the City of Escondido?

The Escondido Community Foundation, an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation logo
City of Escondido logo, city of choice
San Diego Foundation logo

About the City of Escondido Nonprofit Relief Fund

The City of Escondido in partnership with The Escondido Community Foundation and The San Diego Foundation is pleased to provide the Nonprofit Relief Fund. The City of Escondido, thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, The Escondido Community Foundation and The San Diego Foundation, is pleased to offer grants for nonprofits located in Escondido and/or serving the residents of Escondido.

This webpage explains the basics of the program. The link to apply is below. Assistance is available at no cost from the regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Escondido Community Foundation. Additionally there are how-to-apply recordings and a link to request a no-cost, one-on-one appointment for help applying.

The deadline to apply is: August 11, 2022 by 5 p.m. (PT)

Please note the grant program is not first-come, first-served. Decisions on awardees will not be made until the application window closes. Accuracy of the application is more important than getting it in early during the window. Only submit one application. Applications are not reviewed until after the window closes.

Nonprofit Application Details

Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are should apply:

  1. Located in or serve the City of Escondido
  2. Have a demonstratable decline in revenue or service due to COVID-19

  • Application Period: May 12 through August 11, 2022 by 5 p.m. (PT)
  • Applications will be reviewed within 30 business days from August 11, 2022 when the application closes. Please pay attention to your email and phone messages during this period of time so we can contact you if additional information is required to process your application.
  • No grant notifications will be sent until the last part of September 2022.

You will need to gather the following documents to submit with your application:

  • 2019 Federal 990 Tax Filing, even if it is the short form
  • Evidence of serving the City of Escondido

A nonprofit is not eligible to apply if:

  • It is not currently located in the City of Escondido or serving the residents or businesses of the City of Escondido
  • It is in one of the following industries:
    • Adult entertainment
    • Cannabis
    • Arms dealer
    • Any other exclusion noted by the American Rescue Plan act
  • It does not have a demonstrated decline in revenue or service due to COVID-19

  1. Priority consideration will be given to nonprofits located in or primarily serving the following economically disadvantaged areas: Opportunity Zone
  2. Priority for nonprofits that focus on the following issues: performing arts, music and culture; early childhood education; senior services; and, organizations involved in health, nutrition and well-being of the residents of Escondido.
  3. Priority for nonprofits that did not receive allocations through such programs as the Paycheck Protection Program, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, California Relief Grant, and/or the City’s Small Business Relief Fund. Having received this type of financial assistance shall not disqualify an applicant from receiving a grant under this program.

Eligible costs are only those costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the health and safety restrictions such as business interruptions or business closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are the eligible uses of grant funds:

  • All employee expenses including payroll costs, health care benefits, paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums
  • Working capital and overhead, including rent, utilities, mortgage principal and interest payments (excluding mortgage prepayments), and debt obligations (including principal and interest) incurred before March 1, 2020 (For example, to be an eligible debt obligation, the loan agreement, promissory note, etc., as applicable, must have been entered into before March 1, 2020)
  • Costs associated with reopening business operations after being fully or partially closed due to state-mandated COVID-19 health and safety restrictions and business closures
  • Costs associated with complying with COVID-19 federal, state, or local guidelines for reopening with required safety protocols, including but not limited to equipment, plexiglass barriers, outdoor dining, PPE supplies, testing, and employee training expenses
  • Any other COVID-19 related expenses not already covered through grants, forgivable loans, or other relief through federal, state, county or city programs
  • Any other COVID-19 related costs which are not one of the ineligible uses of funds

On-Demand Videos – How to apply

English

Spanish

Office Hours

Application assistance in person at the Escondido Community Foundation (900 Canterbury Place, Suite 300, Escondido, CA 92025)

Thursday, May 26th, 2022 – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Friday, May 27th, 2022 – 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Friday, June 24th, 2022 – 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Thursday, July 28th, 2022 – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Friday, July 29th, 2022 – 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Request assistance

Please complete the request form at this link “Get Help” and someone will get back to you

  1. Gather the following documents:
    • If your nonprofit started before 2020:
      • 2019 Tax Returns
      • Documentation proving you serve the people or businesses in the City of Escondido (if located outside of the City of Escondido)
    • If your nonprofit started January – April 2020
      • Documentation proving you serve the people or businesses in the City of Escondido (if located outside of the City of Escondido)
      • 2020 Tax Returns
  2. Click the “Apply Now” button to complete the online application.
  3. Need help? Look on this page under “Get Help” to request assistance.