Resources and Funding Opportunities for Small Businesses
NH Charitable Foundation:
Community Grants Program – Unrestricted Grants

This "unrestricted grant" for non-profits is designed to support an organization's general operations, rather than an individual project.

Deadline: August 4, 2021 at 5pm

Eligibility: Applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must have proven capability to manage grants effectively.


Amount: Up to $60,000 over a 3-year period ($20,000/year), if the organization can submit a complete audit or a financial review. Otherwise, the eligibility is up to $30,000 over a 3-year period ($10,000/year.)
To apply visit here.
Tax Credits and On-Site Vaccinations for Employers

Eligible employers, such as businesses and tax-exempt organizations with fewer than 500 employees and certain governmental employers, can receive a tax credit that reimburses them for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations. Self-employed individuals are eligible for similar tax credits.

  • The tax credits are available to eligible employers that paid or will pay sick and family leave from April 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021.
  • In addition, businesses can take dollar-for-dollar tax credits equal to wages of up to $5,000 if they offer paid leave to employees who were sick or quarantining.

To learn more or to claim your credits, go here.

Employers and other host organizations can now work directly with vaccine providers to set up on-site vaccination clinics. Find more information here.
Hotels and Lodging Relief Program

The Hotels and Lodging Relief Program, administered by the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA), will provide $10 million in relief to qualifying New Hampshire hotels and lodging establishments for revenue losses due to the effects of COVID-19.

The amount of assistance a hotel can receive under this program will be determined by subtracting the hotel’s revenue from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 from its revenue in the previous year (before the pandemic), minus any federal or state aid that the business might have received.

Deadline: July 13, 2021

To apply, visit GOFERR's website.
Live Venue Assistance Program

This program is designed for NH venues that participated in GOFERR’s 2020 Live Venue Relief Program (LVRP) and that are also categorically ineligible for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. 

  • Awardees will receive a pro-rata percentage of their actual 2021 operating expenses, up to 75% of those expenses or $750,000 – whichever is lower.

Deadline: July 9th, 2021.

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Verify they were previous award recipients of GOFERRs 2020 Live Venue Relief Program
  • Specify the basis upon which they are categorically excluded from participating in the federal SVOG program
  • Certify that, as a result of the pandemic, they have been unable to generate sufficient revenue to satisfy their actual 2021 operating expenses.
  • Applicants will then submit their actual, itemized operating expenses from January 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021.

Go here to apply.
Are you a female-owned business? Apply for an Amber Grant! 

There are several different "Amber Grant" options for women-owned businesses and non-profits. Filling out one application makes you eligible for all grant options, including the Monthly Amber Grant ($10,000), Annual Amber Grant ($25,000), Mini-Grants ($2,000), and Business Specific Grants ($5,000). See full list of grants here.

Deadline: End of every month (date varies by month). The next application cut-off date is June 30, 2021 or July 31.

Application Fee: $15. This one-time fee automatically makes you eligible for all Amber Grants. E-mail info@womensnet.net if you would like the organization to consider waiving the fee.

Eligibility:
  • At least 50% women-owned business.
  • Must be based in U.S. or Canada
  • Applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Apply or find more details here.
Are you looking to help improve your workers' skills?
Apply for WorkInvestNH

Formerly known as NH Training Fund, the WorkInvestNH is a grant for businesses located in NH that pay quarterly taxes into the NH Unemployment Trust Fund. A match of dollar for dollar will be provided to employers who seek to improve the skills and expertise of their employees.

Grant money can be used towards:

  • Structured, on-site laboratory or classroom training
  • Basic skills
  • Technical skills
  • Quality improvement
  • Safety
  • Management and supervision
  • English as a second language
  • Other training programs that enhance the state’s workforce development.

The review committee is always accepting applications and there are no deadlines for applying. Applications are reviewed monthly on an incoming basis. Applications should be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the anticipated training start date.

Find more information here.
NH Business Excellence Awards

The Business Excellence Award recognizes and honors NH-based business owners that excel in their innovative and imaginative approaches. You can nominate a business that operates in one of the following 9 categories and let them know they are a valued member of a community while helping them increase their visibility:

  • Business & Professional Services
  • Consumer Services
  • Financial Services
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Non-profit
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Social Equity
  • Technology

Nominations close August 13, 2021. Businesses with under 100 employees will be given priority.
To submit a nomination, go here.
Basic Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Business

Did you know? One cyberattack can put a company out of business. Small to midsize businesses (less than $50 million in revenue) are targeted over 50% of the time! Cyberattacks rank as the fastest growing crime in the US, causing catastrophic business disruptions. Globally, cybercrime damages are expected to reach 6 trillion US dollars by the end of 2021, according to several cybersecurity industry reports.

Follow these free basic cybersecurity tips to protect your business.
COVID-19 Relief Funds

EIDL - Targeted Advance and Supplemental Targeted Advance

  • If you are a business in a designated low-income area you might be eligible for the Targeted EIDL Advance (up to $10,000) or the Supplemental Targeted Advance (additional $5,000).
  • The Advances act as a grant and do not need to be paid back.
  • Applicants interested in receiving the Advances must apply for the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) but can reject the loan once approved and keep only the grant money.
  • Businesses NOT located in a designated low-income area can still apply for an EIDL loan.
  • Funds can be used for Emergency Working Capital and cover your business operating costs.
  • For more information or to apply, visit the SBA website.

Updates on PPP Forgiveness

  • SBA is offering simplified forgiveness applications for PPP loans of $150,000 and under as long as they were used for the designated purposes.
  • Borrowers have 10 months from the time the funds were exhausted to apply for forgiveness.
  • If the borrower does not apply for forgiveness, payments start 10 months after the last day of the covered period.
  • To learn more about PPP loan forgiveness visit the SBA website.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Updates

  • Funds are still available and eligible businesses are encouraged to apply.
  • Notification of Awards for Shuttered Venue Operators started May 26th.
  • For more information visit the SBA website.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or have questions about any of these programs.

Sincerely,

Natalie Moles
Economic Recovery Coordinator
603-994-3500 ext. 113

Zuzana Duffy
Economic Development Intern

Strafford Regional Planning Commission
150 Wakefield Street, Suite 12
Rochester, NH 03867
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