Small Business Grants California

California small businesses can apply for federal, state, and regional grants. Funding can help with essentials, a pandemic, and development. 

A grant is a specific amount of money given to a recipient or business for a particular project or purpose. 

Each grant has its own eligibility criteria, application window, and review process.

Grant qualifications often vary, and eligible applicants need a clear plan. 

To qualify for a grant, eligible small businesses must include essential details.

Check the grant's official website to learn what other information to include in the plan. Visit government agency websites to find funding available for small businesses in California.

Loans differ from grants. A loan involves borrowers, a transaction, and a repayment plan. Small business owners or grant recipients do not have to pay back the grant money. 

It is one of the main reasons most owners consider applying for grants. A grant is a good way to receive funds when needing it for startup and expansion. 

Although grants do not involve repayment plans, they usually only cover a part of the total costs. 

For the rest, owners should check federal and local financial aid. Look for loan programs, private sources of money, and grant awards.

Visit each website to check availability, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and closing date. Details and requirements are subject to change at any time.

Learn which loans and grants offer no-cost or low-cost repayments and interest rates.

Also See: A Complete List of Small Business Grants

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides grant relief. It helps businesses and nonprofits. The program offers several funding rounds that range from $5,000 to $25,000.

It is a one-time grant of $2,500 or $5,000 from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Microbusiness grant recipients can also receive $2500 from San Joaquin County. 

Companies must have only five full-time employees. They must be in San Joaquin County and currently active businesses.

Microbusinesses cannot receive this grant if they get funds from the California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is part of the CARES Act. The PPP is a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. It helps businesses keep their workforce during COVID-19. 

Small businesses, nonprofits, and sole proprietors can apply. Yet, small businesses must have only 500 employees. Eligible applicants can request up to $10M in forgivable loans.

The STEP program helps small businesses wanting to export products.

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) provides funds to employers for training. They help businesses upgrade the skills of their workers.

NIH offers grants to small businesses researching COVID-19, public health, and biomedical technology. 

NIH offers funds for many types of grants, contracts, and programs. They help researchers repay their loans.

The STTR program offers federal research grants for small businesses. It focuses on funding businesses in research and development. 

The STTR provides grants to companies that work with a nonprofit research partner. i.e., a university.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy Grants offer funds to small businesses. The company must work toward climate change. 

The Amber Grant for Women happens the first week of every month. They give entrepreneurial women $10,000. At the end of each year, one recipient can also receive $25,000 of funding.

The Citizen's Minority-Owned Small Business Grant Program provides $15,000 grants. It awards these grants to 100 minority-owned small businesses. 

Their goal is to advance social equity and economic opportunity. The grant supports these small businesses, their employees, and communities.

The NASE Growth Grant awards entrepreneurs with up to $4,000 grants. Their goal is to help grow small businesses through marketing and other methods.

The Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grants is a program that awards women entrepreneurs. 

The company must have positive effects on the environment and women representatives. The business must provide helpful information on climate change, mitigation, and advocacy.

The USDA offers grants to rural small businesses. The goal is to increase job opportunities and create economic development.

Some grants and loans only allow new applicants. Small businesses may not receive specific grants if they receive funds from another.

Others do not let small businesses get funds if they participate in previous rounds. Review specific details to ensure the company is eligible for the grant before applying.

Related Articles:

• Small Business Grants for Women
• Veteran Small Business Grants
• Minority Small Business Grants