Are You Looking for COVID-19 Funding Assistance for Your Small Business or Nonprofit in the City of San Diego?

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The San Diego Foundation Growing a Vibrant Region

About the City of San Diego Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund

The City of San Diego in partnership with The San Diego Foundation is pleased to provide the Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund. The City of San Diego, thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan of the Federal Government and local funding from The San Diego Foundation, is pleased to offer grants for City of San Diego small businesses and nonprofits.

This webpage explains the basics of the program. The links to apply are below. Assistance is available at no cost from the regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and other partners. 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: Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 by 5 p.m.

Please note the grant program is not first-come, first-served. Decisions on awardees will not be made until the application window closes on Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. Accuracy of the application is more important than getting it in early in the window. Only submit one application. Applications are not reviewed until after the window closes.

Businesses

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

  • Self-employed workers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporations with no more than 100 employees
  • Net profits under $150,000 OR gross revenue under $250,000 (as reported for 2019)
  • In operation before April 1, 2020
  • Demonstrated decline in revenue or service demand due to COVID-19
  • Operating within the City of San Diego

  • Application Period: 8/11/2021 – 9/24/2021 (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 not first-come first-served; this means that:

    • All application will be reviewed for funding after the close of the application period
    • Funding notifications will begin to be sent out no sooner than the end of October 2021.

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

  • 2019 & 2020 Federal Tax Returns
  • Current City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate or other proof that states the business is located in or operating in the the City of San Diego. Examples of other proof may include:
    • California State professional license
    • 2019 tax filing with Schedule C
    • County of San Diego Fictitious Business Name
    • State of California sales tax certificate + proof of at least one payment

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

  • Does not operate in the City of San Diego
  • Is not located in the City of San Diego
  • Is in one of the following industries:
    • Adult entertainment
    • Cannabis
    • Arms dealers
    • Any other exclusions noted by the American Rescue Plan act
  • Has more than 100 employees (including the owners)
  • Net profits exceeded $150,000 in 2019 OR gross revenue exceeded $250,000 in 2019

Priority consideration will be given to located in the following economically disadvantaged areas:

  • Businesses in industries most adversely impacted by the economic effects of the pandemic such as:
    • Leisure and hospitality
    • Food and beverage
    • Tourism
    • Health and social assistance
    • Retail
    • Professional services (including beauty, barber, nail, childcare, and any business that requires a professional license)
    • Special events (including arts and culture)

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 Training

Arts & Cultural Institution Informative Webinar Recording (with Mayor Todd Gloria, The San Diego Foundation, and the SBDC)

Small Business & Nonprofit Informative Webinar Recording (with Mayor Todd Gloria, The San Diego Foundation, and the SBDC)

Advising Support

The SBDC provides free 1:1 business advising for all business matters. To request an appointment with an advisor, please:

  1. Complete this brief form for assistance.
  2. Pay attention to your email. You will receive an email from our administration team within 24 hours with a link to schedule your 1:1 advising appointment.
  3. Use the link sent via email to schedule your 1:1 advising appointment.

  1. Gather the following documents:
    • 2019 & 2020 Federal Tax Returns
    • Current City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate or other proof that states the business is located in or operating in the the City of San Diego. Examples of other proof may include:
      • California State professional license
      • 2019 tax filing with Schedule C
      • County of San Diego Fictitious Business Name
      • State of California sales tax certificate + proof of at least one payment
  2. Click the “Apply Now” button to complete the online application.
  3. Need help? Look on this page under “Get Help” to request assistance.

Nonprofit

Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are should apply:

  1. Located in or serve the City of San Diego
  2. Have a demonstratable decline in revenue or service due to COVID-19
  3. Located in one of the following priority areas:

  • Application Period: 8/11/2021 – 9/24/2021 (closes at 5 p.m.)
  • Applications will be reviewed within 10 business days of the date you applied. 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 prior to the end October 2021.

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

  • 2019 & 2020 Federal Tax Returns
  • Evidence of serving City of San Diego residents or small businesses

A nonprofit is not eligible to apply if:

  • It is not currently located in the City of San Diego
  • It is currently located in the City of San Diego but it is not located in or serving the populations of the following priority areas:
  • 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

Priority consideration will be given to nonprofits located in or primarily serving the following economically disadvantaged areas:

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 Training

Arts & Cultural Institution Informative Webinar Recording (with Mayor Todd Gloria, The San Diego Foundation, and the SBDC)

Small Business & Nonprofit Informative Webinar Recording (with Mayor Todd Gloria, The San Diego Foundation, and the SBDC)

Advising Support

The SBDC provides free 1:1 business advising for all business matters. To request an appointment with an advisor, please:

  1. Complete this brief form for assistance.
  2. Pay attention to your email. You will receive an email from our administration team within 24 hours with a link to schedule your 1:1 advising appointment.
  3. Use the link sent via email to schedule your 1:1 advising appointment.

  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 San Diego (if located outside of the City of San Diego)
    • If your nonprofit started January – April 2020
      • Documentation proving you serve the people or businesses in the City of San Diego (if located outside of the City of San Diego)
      • 2020 Tax Returns
        OR
        April 2020 – April 2021 bank statements
  2. Click the “Apply Now” button to complete the online application.
  3. Need help? Look on this page under “Get Help” to request assistance.
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