County of San Diego Microbusiness Grant Program

State of California and County of San Diego Micro Business Grant Program

Program Details

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has awarded $4,175,000 in funding to the County of San Diego for the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

This program will provide grants of $2,500 to County of San Diego microbusiness owners (see below for definition) who were in operation in 2019, still in operation, and were impacted by the Covid-19 public health restrictions.

The County of San Diego is partnering with the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network (hosted by Southwestern College) along with the Asian Business Association of San Diego, East County Economic Development Council, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation, and South County Economic Development Council to assist microbusiness owners to apply for this grant funding.

Grants are to be distributed evenly between each of the five supervisorial district areas.

What You Need to Know

For-profit businesses which meet the following criteria should apply:

  • Self-employed workers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporations with no more than 5 employees in 2019
  • Currently have no more than 5 employees
  • Gross revenue under $50,000 (as reported for 2019)
  • In operation before December 1, 2019 and still in operation in 2022
  • Microbusiness was the primary source of revenue for the business owner
  • Demonstrated decline in revenue or service demand due to COVID-19 in 2020 or 2021 as compared to 2019
  • Operating within the County of San Diego

Nonprofits may apply based on the following:

  • Operating within the County of San Diego
  • Operating in 2019 with at least $1,000 in revenue and less than $2.5 million
  • Still in operation with nonprofit 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19) status and currently registered with the California Secretary of State
  • Proof of revenue with a 990 filing and current registration will be required
  • Did not receive funding from the California Relief Grant (administered by Lendistry)

  • Application Period:
    • Round 1: 2/15/2022 to 3/31/2022 (closes at 5 p.m.)
    • Round 2: 5/18/2022 to 7/15/2022 (closes at 5 p.m.)
  • Document Review Period:
    • Applications will be reviewed for completeness and any additional information needed within 10 business days from the date of application.
    • 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.
  • Funding Review Period:
    This funding is on a first-come first-served basis, but with priorities; this means that:

    • Time stamps will be considered
    • Priority will be given to microbusinesses who are located in low-to-moderate income areas, are historically underserved, or have not received other COVID-19 relief
    • Funding is to be allocated evenly between each of the five supervisorial districts
    • Funding notifications will begin to be sent out no sooner than the end of April 2022
    • Funding will be provided via check from the County of San Diego

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

  • Government Issued Photo ID (e.g. Drivers License, Passport, Green Card, or even foreign ID issued by a governmental entity)
  • Signed IRS Form W-9
  • Local business permit or license (recommended)

Businesses which fall under one or more of the following are not eligible to apply:

  • Does not operate in the County of San Diego
  • Is not located in the County of San Diego
  • Received funding from the State of California for COVID-19 relief (e.g. the California Relief Grant administered by Lendistry)
  • Had more than 5 employees in 2019 (including the owners)
  • Currently has more than 5 employees (including the owners)
  • Gross revenue exceeded $50,000 in 2019
  • Is not the owner’s primary source of income

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

  • In-Person Office Hours
  • Additional One-On-One Application Support: The SBDC provides free 1:1 business advising for all business matters. To request an appointment with an advisor, please request an advisor here: sdivsbdc.org/advising. The Alliance SBDC and Asian Business Association of San Diego can also provide either virtual or in-person assistance in Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, and Japanese via appointment by calling (858) 277-2822.
  • Call (619) 482-6391 if needed.

  1. Gather the following documents:
    • Government Issued Photo ID (e.g. Drivers License, Passport, Green Card, or even foreign ID issued by a governmental entity)
    • Signed IRS Form W-9
    • Local business permit or license (recommended)
  2. Click the “Apply Now” button to complete the online application.
  3. Need help? Look on this page under “Get Help” to request assistance.
State of California and County of San Diego Micro Business Grant Program Sponsors