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The Community Champion Grant is now CLOSED.

*Effective 03/30/24*

 

SBER Sonoma County Community Champion Grant

Grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to help Sonoma County small businesses grow and thrive.

The Sonoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a member of Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER), which provides eligible Sonoma small businesses the opportunity to apply for the SBER Sonoma County Community Champion Grant of $5,000 or $10,000. In tandem with the grant, businesses have access to training and advising support.

Our goal is to help businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 to grow and thrive.

SBER is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), using funds designated by the County of Sonoma with the goal of helping our businesses recover and thrive in Sonoma County.

Notice:

Grant beneficiaries will be notified by email of the award and grant amount, including instructions and requirements on accessing the funds when the funds are released for distribution.

The grant is open until all funds are exhausted.

 

SBER Sonoma County Community Champion Grant Overview

If your Sonoma County small business has been in business since 12/31/2021 and you meet the criteria outlined below, you are eligible to apply for this grant.

Before you can apply, you must sign up as a Sonoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC) client. There is no charge for SBDC services or to apply for the grant.

With the help of the SBDC, you will prepare for your application. Grants are $5,000 or $10,000, so the actual number of grants depends on the awarded businesses/grant amounts. Funds are limited so grants are not guaranteed.

Existing Sonoma County businesses may be eligible to receive:

$5,000

1-5 Paid Employess (FTEs)

$10,000

6 or More Paid Employees (FTEs)

 Employees must be verifiable via payroll records.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, businesses must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be a for-profit, legally-operating small business with business license located in Sonoma County
  • Have been in business PRIOR to December 31, 2021 and currently be in business
  • Have a business bank account
  • Have recorded, verifiable payroll for 1 or more employees
  • Not be an ineligible business (see below)
  • No non-profits are eligible 
  • Only one application per business; applying more than once or multiple individuals applying for the same business may be disqualified

Application Requirements:

  • Applicant must be a partner or owner in the business
  • Individuals may only apply for ONE business; an individual applying for more than one business may be disqualified

Additional Requirements:

  • The funds may only be used for business recovery from COVID-19 impact (your business must have been negatviely impacted financially by COVID-19)
  • If you are awarded, you will provide a report on your use of the funds after you have received the award

Ineligible businesses: A business is disqualified if ANY of the following apply to the business:

x Is a cannabis business

x Buys or sells weapons

x It is an ineligible business per the SBA (such as real estate investment firms, lenders, pyramid sales plans, and gambling activities); see National Archive website

Required Documentation

To qualify, you will be required to provide ALL of the following:

  1. 2021 business tax return
  2. A US government-issued identification (e.g. Drivers License, Passport, etc.) for the applicant, who must be a business owner or partner
  3. Copies of 2021-2022 payroll records showing employees
  4. Three most recent months of business bank statements
  5. Food businesses will also be required to show proof of their (1) Seller’s Permit, (2) Food Safety Certification and (3) Liability Insurance
  6. Copy of lease agreements, if a brick-and-mortar business
  7. A signed Use of Funds document, which outlines your use of the Community Champion Grant funds

Application Period

  • There is no deadline to apply for the Community Champion Grant & Training Program; the grant is open until all funds are exhausted
  • Those businesses who prove grant eligibility will work with their Business Advisor to apply for the Champion Grant. The grant will be awarded a grant on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

You must be the business owner or partner and have a valid code from SBDC Sonoma to apply for the grant.

If the code is not valid or entered incorrectly the application will be rejected.

 

Grant beneficiaries will be notified by email of the award and grant amount, including instructions and requirements on accessing the funds when the funds are released for distribution.

Click Here to Apply

In accordance with federal law and U. S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Submit a complaint of discrimination to U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rightsand Equal Opportunity, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20220, (202) 622-1160 (phone), (202 622-0367 (fax), or email crcomplaints@treasury,gov (email).