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:

Business Plans Made Simple

Learn how to create your own business plan with our step-by-step process, and have access to your own free template that you can edit, and download at any time. Presented by ULV SBDC Director and Consultant, Sean Snider.

Small Biz Blog Client Spotlight: Cinderella's Closet Lingerie

“I love that my advisor does not make me feel like I’m a number.

He takes his time to listen to my concerns and offers solutions that, when implemented, have led to the success of my business.” 

-Dana Walker,

Owner of Cinderella's Closet

Dana Walker is the owner of Cinderella's Closet, a post-mastectomy bra, and breast prosthesis company. “My journey as a breast cancer survivor led me to open a business that addressed the emotional well-being of women diagnosed with breast cancer,” Dana said. Dana opened on March 3, 2020, and two weeks later, COVID put the world on lockdown but was able to get five clients in 2020 but was still in the red. Dana received help from the Inland Empire's Women's Business Center and was formally introduced to the University of La Verne SBDC shortly after.



Dana’s first challenge was managing the business financially and having enough working capital to keep it open and running without struggling as the business did in 2020 due to COVID-19. Dana’s other concern was marketing to grow the business to become self-sustainable and communicate the value her business had in the lives of women. Dana’s final hurdle was to take everything she needed to learn and scale the business in the way she envisioned when opening the business. 

Grants and Funding Programs

Driving Small Business Forward

Description:

The Progressive® Driving Small Business Forward fund program will provide $25,000 towards a commercial vehicle to 10 Black-owned small businesses.

Progressive Commercial is the #1 commercial auto insurer in America1 and is committed to serving small businesses. Multiple studies have shown how inequities have made it harder for Black entrepreneurs to access capital. This program aims to alleviate this challenge.

Applications close June 2, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET.

eBay Up and Running Grants

Description:

The eBay Up & Running Grants program will award 50 eBay business sellers with grant packages of $10,000, including cash, eBay education and coaching, and more. This year, eBay is expanding its grant with an additional stipend worth up to $500 for each grantee to apply to eBay Refurbished office equipment, technology and tools to keep their small businesses up and running. Be either a new eBay seller who joined between July 26, 2022, and April 26, 2023, or an established seller with a strong seller rating. Applications close June 9, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET. 

Cartier Women's Initiative

Description:

The Regional Awards of the Cartier Women’s Initiative are looking for women-owned and women-led impact-driven businesses. Entrepreneurs across all sectors and geographies are encouraged to apply. The fellows, representing the top three businesses from each of the nine regions, will receive:

FINANCIAL CAPITAL SUPPORT

• US$ 100,000 grant for each first-place awardee

• US$ 60,000 grant for each second-place awardee

• US$ 30,000 grant for each third-place awardee

HUMAN CAPITAL SUPPORT

SOCIAL CAPITAL SUPPORT

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the application deadline (June 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 June 30, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET. 

PepsiCo Foundation Impacto Program 2023

Impacto was designed to empower Hispanic food entrepreneurs to overcome systemic disparities and grow their enterprises. In 2023, Impacto will provide 100 Hispanic entrepreneurs with a full suite of free program offerings, including:

• one-on-one and group coaching
• virtual and in-person events
• trusted digital business resources
• a $10,000 small business grant

The deadline to apply is Friday, June 16, 2023, at 5p.m. ET/2p.m. PT.

Black Founder Startup Grant

SoGal Foundation has teamed up with WinkyLux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio, Walmart.org’s Center for Racial Equity, and other sponsors to make a small step towards progress by providing several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs.

To qualify, you should:

– self-identify as a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur (inclusive of multiracial Black women and multiracial Black nonbinary folks)

– have a legally registered business

– plan to seek investor financing in order to scale, now or in the future

– have a scalable, high-impact solution or idea with the ambition to be the next billion-dollar business.

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. 

San Bernardino County Microbusiness Grant

The San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant is designed to assist businesses that have experienced economic barriers due to the effects of the global pandemic. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved $2,500 to be disbursed to qualified businesses. San Bernardino County is proud to provide this grant to our business community.

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 - 6.5% to 7.25%
• 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%