Get Paid to Start A Business! — California Small Business Grants You Can Apply For

 

 

Are you currently a small business owner? Are you looking to start a business but don’t have the capital to do so? If your business is located in the state of California, you may be able to take advantage of these two new grant opportunities that California is providing.

1. The California Dream Fund

The California Dream Fund is unique because while prior grant programs only catered to pre-existing businesses that were impacted by the pandemic, the California Dream Program will be focused on issuing grants of up to $10,000 for those who would like to start or have recently started new small businesses.

While all the details on this program have not yet been released, here’s what we know so far:

The California Dream Fund was a part of the California Come Back Plan. Included in that plan was a provision for $35 million to establish the California Dream Fund, which will provide micro grants of up to $10,000 for brand new businesses to start up or for newly established businesses to cover costs.

In order to qualify, a participating entrepreneur must complete a defined business training, one-on-one consulting and create a workable business plan. Participating entrepreneurs must also have established a legal business entity after July 1, 2019. Additionally, they must meet the definition of a new business.

In order to meet the definition of what a new business is, they must have acquired all necessary permits in order to operate as a business legally, and they must have done at least one of the following:

1. Made their first sale

2. Hired at least one employee

3. Created a business banking relationship, or have incurred a business expense, which may include accounting and legal expenses.

You must also complete the training requirement in order to be eligible for the grant. The training components require you to complete eight modules of eleven allowable small business topics. The sessions are between 60–90 minutes, and attendees can participate either in person or via an online training or through their on demand portal. Training can be by demographic, industry, or language specific.

You can learn more about the California Dream Fund by visiting their website here.

2. California COVID Relief Grants for Small Businesses and the Self Employed

The California COVID Relief Grants for Small Businesses and the Self Employed was formerly closed, but recently had a reinfusion of funds. This grant will provide a $5,000 up to $25,000 one time grant, also known as the Lendistry Grant.

This program will not be taking new applications, but if you applied to this program previously and were one of the many self employed or small business owners who were waitlisted, then you may have an opportunity to receive this grant once again.

You can find more information about this grant here.

If you would like to view a list of all the grants that are available in California, you and find them here.

Want to learn more about small business grants? Watch the video here!