Special News Briefing targets Nonprofits, Micro-Businesses and Small Businesses

Special News Briefing targets Nonprofits, Micro-Businesses and Small Businesses

Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service

Applications have just opened for new funding rounds from the California SmallBusiness and Nonprofits COVID-19 Relief Grants program, which recently received an additional $1.5 billion in funds. Unlike many government grant programs, this program emphasizes small nonprofits and small businesses, including sole proprietorships and all- volunteer nonprofits. The application process is simple. Cal Nonprofits and others can provide phone support (multilingual) and other help to people filling out applications. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.

Everett Sands, CEO of Lendistry and administrator of The California SmallBusiness and Nonprofits COVID-19 Relief Grants program said there are eligible grants of $5000 – $25000.  If you’re a sole proprietor, an arts organization, a nonprofit or a business with annual revenue of less than $2.5 million, you have until the end of the month to get your application in for grants that range from $5,000 to $25,000. Sands said that, although there are other programs managed by the federal and local governments, he expects that in California, the current rounds of the state program will be the last. Sept. 30 is the deadline to apply.

Applications can be made via the website CAReliefGrant.com.

Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1,2, 5, or 6.; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019, said Sands.

The application process is quite easy,” said Earl Jones, of the Bridge Builders Foundation in Los Angeles, one of those grants recipients, who also spoke at the event.

Leigh Henderson of the nonprofit Teatrounivision in San Jose credited the Lendistry-run state program for providing a lifeline for her work once the pandemic shut down ticket, merchandise and concession sales.   She said it helped her company keep its small staff on payroll during the pandemic.