California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program
This grant is provided by California Office of the Small Business Advocate
Grant Amount
Up to $100KApplication Deadline
February 15, 2024
About This Grant
The California Small Agricultural Business Drought & Flood Relief Grant Program will provide relief to small agricultural businesses that experienced a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits due to drought or storm flood conditions.
How You Can Use the Funds
- Grant moneys awarded under the Program shall only be used for costs to maintain the recipient business through the drought, including the following:
- • 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, but excluding mortgage prepayments, and debt obligations, including principal and interest, incurred before the onset of severe drought.
- • Any other drought-related expenses not already covered through grants, forgivable loans, or other relief through state, county, or city programs.
Documents Required
- Applicant Certifications.
- Acceptable Government-Issued Photo Identification uploaded via Persona, which will be embedded in the application.
- Official filing with the California Secretary of State (which must be active) or local municipality, as applicable, for your business or organization, such as one of the following: Articles of Incorporation; Certificate of Organization; Fictitious Business Name filing; Professional license; Government-issued business license or permit.
- Proof of Tax Exemption (required for nonprofit organizations only).
- 2019 and 2022 Federal Tax Returns or IRS Form 990 (completed, unaltered, and filed).
- Proof of Employee Count: 2022 IRS Form W-3 or payroll records
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligibility will be listed in these designated groups:
- Group 1: Small and socially disadvantaged farmers
- Group 2: small agricultural businesses most impacted by severe drought
- Group 3: small agricultural businesses that don't file 2022 tax returns until 2024
- For the purpose of this Program, a “qualified small business” means a business that meets all of the following criteria, as confirmed by the office or fiscal agent through review of revenue declines, other relief funds received, credit history, tax returns, payroll records, and bank account validation:
- Is a sole proprietor, independent contractor, C-corporation, S-corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership, nonprofit (other than a 501(c)(4) organization), or limited partnership, domiciled in California, with 100 or fewer full-time employees in the 2022 taxable year and will have 100 or fewer full-time employees in the 2023 taxable year. Seasonal employees are included in the full-time employee count.
- Had 100 or fewer full-time employees in the 2022 taxable year and will have 100 or fewer full-time employees in the 2023 taxable year. Seasonal employees are included in the full-time employee count.
- Be domiciled in the state of California.
- Began operating in the state prior to January 1, 2020.
- Is currently active and operating.
- Has been affected by severe drought according to a D2 or higher drought classification pursuant to a methodology based on the USDA Drought Monitor (found on the program's website).
- Provides organizing documents, including a federal tax return or Internal Revenue Service Form 990, and a copy of official filings with the Secretary of State or with the local municipality, as applicable, including, but not limited to, articles of incorporation, certificate of organization, fictitious name of registration, or government-issued business license.