Dear Sean,

We invite you to view our upcoming LIVE webinar and learn about different grants or funding programs for your small business.

Upcoming LIVE Webinar:

How to Build a Website

Learn how to create your own website with our step-by-step process. Presented by ULV SBDC Director and Consultant, Sean Snider.

Small Biz Blog Client Spotlight:

La Forme

Christina Lemaire is the owner of La Forme, a boutique wellness studio that offers Barre, Pilates, and Yoga that caters to women's health and fitness. Christina was originally a Barre instructor until 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when all the classes moved online. She then started teaching classes virtually from a courtyard.

Christina’s first introduction to the SBDC was finding workshops in the LA Regional Network for starting and managing a business. “I’m pretty positive I googled ‘small business resources’ and it led me down a little rabbit hole to seminars online for the SBDC,” Christina explained. Christina was connected with the University of La Verne SBDC and was able to schedule an appointment with business advisor Mark Hicks within a week.

Like most new business owners, Christina didn’t have a background in business and did not know how to plan a business or even where to begin. “The challenge was understanding the business itself. What goes into that and what preparation do I need? So, going in kind of blind to the SBDC, But then the magic happened,” Christina said. 

Mark Hick became Christina’s primary advisor to start on the business plan online with the Business Plan Project. It was challenging, I had no idea where to start or what to do. There were questions Mark would ask me that I didn't have the answers to. I felt a little dumb, but he didn't make me feel like that at all,” Christina explained. Mark reassured Christina that he would help her every step of the way by scheduling routine sessions and answering questions she had.

"I can’t explain it words the benefit I have been given working with the SBDC. It’s been invaluable and I will say that to anyone I can. Working with them has changed my life. I really now understand how to run this business, the business plan itself, and the California Dream Fund, step by step. It was a lot of work and routining, but because of that, I feel confident as a business owner. I feel ready for whatever next steps are coming and knowing that SBDC is there for me and to help guide me, is priceless." - Christina Lemaire

Grants and Funding Programs

Awesome Foundation Grants

Description:

Each month, the Awesome Foundation awards grants of $1,000 to individuals and groups looking to fund various projects. The Awesome Foundation is made of 84 independently-run chapters, with members contributing to a micro-funding pool that goes towards grant projects. Though funding is not limited to businesses, startups, and small businesses have been among the recipients of the monthly grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The Fedex Entrepreneur Fund

Description:

In partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network(GEN), FedEx has launched the second round of the FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund to support entrepreneurs in the United States by providing them with $300,000 in grants and educational resources. This program is designed to offer entrepreneurs the necessary funding, resources, and networks to enhance the success of their businesses.

Through the FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund, thirty (30) grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to entrepreneurs who have a connection to the military and/or entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Applications close October 6, 2023.

Etsy Emergency Relief Fund at CERF+

Description:

Etsy is committed to helping our creative entrepreneurs recover when disasters disrupt their businesses. We’ve partnered with CERF+, a nonprofit organization focused on helping artists prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters, to create a disaster relief fund just for Etsy sellers. Each quarter, we work with CERF+ to award grants to a select number of eligible sellers. Any Etsy seller who has experienced a federally declared disaster within the past year may apply for a grant, as long as they’ve been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their accounts with Etsy are in good standing.

NAACP AND LESLIE'S INC. Certification Boost Grant

Description:

NAACP and Leslie's Inc. Certification Boost Grant is intended to assist entrepreneurs in obtaining vital business certifications, which are important to facilitate networking, business connections, and draw partnership opportunities with larger corporations and organizations. Certifications and official designations include Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE), among others. Applications close September 8, 2023.

High Five Grants for Moms

Description:

The Mama Ladder helps ambitious mom entrepreneurs grow their businesses. This is an international grant program. Mothers who own businesses, from any country, are welcome to apply!

For fall 2023, there are four simple requirements:

• You ARE A MOM! This grant is exclusively for women caregivers with human child(ren) of all ages. If your children are adults, we say: “Once a mom, always a mom.” This grant also welcomes first-time expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms.
• You own at least 50% of a for-profit product or service-based business and are serious about growth.
• You can verify earning business revenue in the past 12 months.
• You know the WHY behind your business, and will share it with the world.

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2023.

Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

Description:

To help restaurants recover in times of critical need, DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters like fires, floods, and hurricanes, and provides relief through $10,000 grants. Operate a brick-and-mortar location.

• Own a maximum of three locations, and employ fewer than 50 employees per location
• Have been open for at least six months.
• Have revenues of $3M or less per location in the last 12 months.

Applications close September 29, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET. 

PACE Small Business Grant

Description:

The PACE Small Business Grant Program is a $5,000 or $10,000 grant fund for small businesses located within the Unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County – District 1.

This Program helps small businesses by providing grants that can be used to cover business expenses including payroll, rent, working capital, and inventory. Those who qualify will be contacted by our team for the application process.

This program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Block Grant allocated to Supervisor Hilda Solis, First Supervisory District. The program helps stabilize struggling small businesses by providing financial and technical assistance located within the unincorporated areas of the 1st District.

Metro Business Interruption Fund

Metro’s BIF is administered as a pilot program in partnership with PCR. PCR uses the BIF to provide financial assistance to small “mom and pop” businesses impacted by transit rail construction along the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, the Little Tokyo Regional Connector with its 2nd/Broadway segment, and Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3 of the Purple Line Extension. 

The Amber Grant

About the Amber Grant

WomensNet founded the Amber Grant Foundation in 1998. The Foundation was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams.

Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, giving away at $10,000 every month in Amber Grant money. Each of those monthly winners is then eligible for our year-end grant of $25,000.

How Do I Apply For an Amber Grant?

Applying is simple. Just take a few minutes to tell us about yourself and your business dream. No long, complicated forms to fill out. We announce the $10,000 Amber Grant recipient the first week of every month, and the $25,000 annual winner every January. 

Mountain Small Business Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide direct financial assistance to San Bernardino County small businesses and non-profits that were impacted by the winter storm events that began February 27, 2023.

There are two grant amounts available to eligible small businesses and non-profits located in unincorporated mountain areas:

• 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for a one-time $3,000 grant.
• More than 50 but fewer than 500 full-time employees are eligible for a one-time $15,000 grant.

Deadline is September 30, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA)

City of Claremont CDBG Job Creation and Business Incentive Grant Program

For prospective and existing business owners who need financial help, the City is offering the Job Creation & Business Incentive Program that provides a forgivable loan, in exchange of job creation for low-income persons.

Eligible Business

To qualify for this program, the business has to either be a new business, or an existing business wanting to expand its gross floor area by 50% of more. These businesses must fall under one of the following categories:

• Retail
• Quality food establishments
• Entertainment businesses (must sell concessions/food items)

Job Creation Requirement

• 1 new full-time equivalent job must be created per $25,000 of the loan awarded.

PACE Disaster Relief Loans

Businesses must prove financial hardship and should be located in Los Angeles County or nearby counties

• Loan Amount - $5,000 to $250,000
• Interest Rate - 7.5% to 8%
• Term - Up to 7 years

TMC Community Capital -

Microloan Programs

Microloan Lite

• Loan Range: $5,000 to $15,000
• Term: 1 - 3 years
• Interest Rate: 6-7%
• Processing Fee: 5%

Microloan

• Loan Range: $15,001 to $50,000
• Term: 2 - 5 years
• Interest Rate: 6 - 9%
• Processing Fee: 5%