City of San Bernardino Small Business Grant Program
This grant is provided by City of San Bernardino
Grant Amount
10K–20KOpen date
May 1, 2024Grant Frequency
When funds are exhausted
About This Grant
The Small Business Grant Program, under SBDC’s leadership and training, is aimed at assisting small businesses with driving their organizations to the next level. During the free business consultation period, business owners will work on putting together their path towards growth as they evaluate and develop their metrics, benchmarks, teams, financials, triggers, and strategies to reach the next level of growth. Trainees will learn how to de-risk expansion and get involved in proactive growth.
How You Can Use the Funds
- Eligible activities for the use of funds should be used to cover fixed expenses for the business. The primary fixed expenses include such items as rent or mortgage expense, utilities, inventory, payroll and benefit costs, PPE, or other operational expenses for the business. Applicants will fill out a section of the application form that will breakdown how the funds will be spent within their business (“Spending Plan”). Each applicant will need to sign and verify that the use of funds will be spent on business expenses, such as those expressed above. Any use of funding other than that to support the business is strictly prohibited and may result in the applicant being subject to return all or any portion of such grant.
- Eligible expenses are considered necessary expenditures that provide economic support in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency. In the event a business does not expend the funds in the manner consistent with the Spending Plan as outlined in the application or does not expend the entire grant amount, the business will be required to submit a report to the City no later than December 31, 2024, identifying how the funds were spent. If there is a remaining balance, the business may be required to return the funds to the City.
- The following is a nonexclusive list of expenditures that shall not constitute Eligible Expenses payable from the grant amount:(1) Damages covered by insurance. (2) Expenses that have been or will be reimbursed or recovered through other funding programs, such as the reimbursement by the federal government pursuant to the CARES Act or contributions by States to State unemployment funds.(3) Reimbursement to donors for donated items or services. (4) Workforce bonuses other than hazard pay or overtime.(6) Severance pay.(7) Legal expenses or settlements.(8) Debt service or loan repayment.
Documents Required
- Complete grant application;
- An acceptable form of government-issued photo ID provided as a PDF only;
- Certificate of Insurance;
- Current copy of San Bernardino City Business License and license number;
- W-9;
- The most recent monthly bank statement;
- Most recent federal tax return filed, and tax return used for proof of revenue;
- Planned use of funds form (Spending Plan);
- A signed City of San Bernardino Small Business Grant Agreement, which includes business impact statement and self-certification;
- Information about the small business, including but not limited to, the number of employees, location, demographics of owner, and identification of an owner; and
- Acknowledgment and self-certification of the program requirements and documentation should they be selected to proceed in the application process.
- The application must be complete to be considered eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
- To be eligible to apply for the Small Business Grant Program, a business must meet certain criteria that has been established by the City of San Bernardino and the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Treasury for utilizing ARPA funds. The business must also demonstrate the need for financial support resulting from the loss of revenue due to the impact of COVID-19.
- The business must be physically located in the City of San Bernardino;
- Be a “small business” defined as having fewer than 500 employees, OR be a “home-based business,” a) The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that if the Applicant receives a grant and the Applicant’s organization ceases to operate, the Applicant may be subject to return all or any portion of such grant.
- Residential or real estate projects including short-term rental operators and real estate agents, car washes, storage facilities, smoke shops, adult stores, and gas stations are not eligible;
- Have an active San Bernardino Business License and/or Home Occupation Permit since at least May 11, 2023 (The federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11, 2023), or prior at the time of the application;
- The business must be in good standing with the City (current on bills, no liens or judgements, etc.), unless directly correlated to COVID-19 impacts;
- The business must not be suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal funding;
- The business must complete the required consultation;
- The business must submit the application and all required supporting documentation; and
- The business applicant must certify that they were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of a business being negatively affected by the pandemic include, but are not limited to: a) A decrease of 25% or greater in sales. b) The business has had to lay off at least one of its employees (Full or Part time). c) One or more of the employees in the business have contracted COVID-19, while at work. d) Qualified as an “underserved small business group” (if this is satisfactorily met, no other hardship must be provided). i) Women, minorities (people of color), veteran-owned business where the majority (at least 51%) of the business is owned and run on a daily basis by said group(s) ii) Businesses operating in “low-to-moderate income (LMI)” or “qualified census tract” communities (1) “Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI)” or “qualified census tract” means any census tract (or equivalent geographic area defined by the Bureau of the Census) in which at least 50% of households have an income less than 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI), or which has a poverty rate of at least 25%.