Round 3: City of Riverside Small & Micro Business Resiliency Grant Program
This grant is provided by City of Riverside, Inland SoCal United Way, Inland SoCal 211+
Grant Amount
Up to $25KOpen date
July 1, 2024Application Deadline
August 30, 2024Grant Frequency
3 Application Submittal Rounds
About This Grant
The Riverside Small & Micro Business Grant Program is designed to support local small business resiliency with grant awards of up to $25,000 for qualified businesses. In addition to direct financial support, all applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a FREE two-hour, one-on-one Business Resiliency Consultation to identify areas for improvement and build customized strategies to increase financial stability, long-term sustainability, and capacity for success.
How You Can Use the Funds
- Revenue Loss (Unrecouped)
- Increased Costs (Unrecouped)
- Operating Expenses that were a challenge to cover due to the pandemic: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, Employee Payroll & Benefits, Insurance, Licensing/Fees, Marketing, Technology (including business software, computers, etc.), Equipment (including security systems, etc.), Repairs/Maintenance
- Items necessary to improve business success, resiliency, and/or capacity (including minor tenant improvements, not including permit fees)
- Other items not listed as ineligible may be deemed eligible on a case-by-case basis
Documents Required
- Proof of Business Info & Good Standing: Current City of Riverside Business License (***If you do not currently have a license, please contact the “City of Riverside Business License Department” to obtain one and/or resolve any issues. There is a Business Amnesty Program that (if you qualify) may waive interest and penalties, to help get your business current and in good standing.)
- Proof of Business Revenue/Income: Most Recent Business Tax Return (2022)
- Proof of Business Size/Employees: Most Recent Form 941 OR Current Payroll Ledger (***Form 941/Payroll Ledger not required for Self-Employed Individuals without additional employees, provided other documentation confirms no additional employees)
- Proof of Covid Impact (Presumed Impacted or Financial Documents as needed):
- a. Proof of Baseline Tax Return If business started before 2020, provide 2019 If business started in 2020 or later, provide first available (2020 or 2021)
- b. Impacted Tax Returns if applicable Any available from 2019 – Present that will demonstrate financial impact (***Other Financial Statements / Documents may be accepted if Tax Returns do not clearly show financial impact)
- c. Proof of employment challenges if business/self-employment started after 3/13/20
- Additional supporting documents may be required/request on a case-by-case basis (*** Fictitious Business Name Filing (FBN), Government-Issued Identification if sole-proprietor/self-employed, etc.)
Eligibility Requirements
- Privately-Owned, For-Profit Business in opera on Prior to 3/13/20 (The term “Business” includes Self-Employed Individuals, Entrepreneurs, Sole Proprietors, 1099 Independent Contractors, Home-Based Operations, Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs), C-Corporations, etc.)
- Individuals who started a business (became self-employed) due to covid employment challenges prior to 1/1/23
- Located within City Limits of City of Riverside
- Are Categorically Eligible (Presumed Impacted by ARPA) and/or Can Demonstrate Covid Financial Impact
- Presumed Impacted by ARPAor can demonstrate COVID Financial Impact:
Are Categorically Eligible (Presumed Impacted by ARPA) and/or Can Demonstrate Covid Financial Impact
Increased costs
Challenges covering operating expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities, etc.
Lower capacity to weather financial hardship due to depleted savings, selling off assets, lack of working capital, etc.
Other covid related impacts may be considered on a case-by-case basis - Annual Gross Revenue between $10K - $2.5 Million
- Under 50 Employees (including the owners)
- Active & In Good Standing with all City, County, State, & Federal Entities (Please Note: This includes all health permits and/or industry specific operating certifications/insurances required by the City. Cannot have any Code, Building, or Fire Violations.)