(Above, inset. l-r): Everett Sands, CEO, Lendistry; Earl Jones, Treasurer, Bridge Builders Foundation; Jan Masaoka, CEO, California Association of Nonprofits. (EMS)

Grants from $5,000 up to $25,000 are still available for small businesses and small non-profit organizations, provided by the California Small Business and Non-profits Covid 19 Relief Grants program. At a press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media, Sept. 7, Everett Sands, CEO of Lendistry and Jan Masaoka, executive director of Cal NonProfits shared information on how to access these grants.

The Calif. Covid 19 Relief Grants for Small Business and Small Non-profits is slated to help small businesses, micro businesses, sole-proprietorships, and small and grassroots non-profits. The application process is relatively simple with a quick turnaround. Deadline for applications is Sept. 30.

In order to qualify the entity should a revenue of less than $2.5 million and based on the revenue, the entity could receive anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 in grants.

Applications are now open for a new round for this program with $1.5 billion still left in funding from the state.
Everett Sands, CEO of Lendistry, and administrator of The California Small Business and Nonprofits COVID-19 Relief Grants program, says, a grant program for non-profits still needs to be worked on. While for-profits and non-profits are close cousins, they are definitely different in what they provide.

He suggests non-profits should apply for two separate programs – Arts and Cultural Non-profits (check the California state website: https://careliefgrant.com and look for Arts and Cultural Application)

The second program he says is, the California Small Business and Non-profits Covid 19 Relief Grants program – Round 9.

Sands encouraged non-profits to explore both programs at the above website.

The program has a simple application process and small and micro business should be able to complete it with ease.
The program has been running for a few months now and funding has been distributed in rounds. The final round, which began accepting applications on the day of the briefing, will be open to new applicants as well as ones previously wait-listed.

Answering a question by another panelist about the amount being given as grants, Sands said, “We’ve talked to thousands of small business and non-profits in order to approve the program.” He said that the program has evolved from what it was in round one.

“What was a $500 million program is now $4 billion,” said Sands.

In her remark, Masaoka said the best part of this program is that it is prioritizing small businesses and small non-profits.

In his final remarks Sands said as things evolve, there are going to be changes in guarantee programs for non-profits. California is very open-minded about that.

Seema Gupta of Siliconeer asked if a business can apply again if they had already received a grant in the earlier rounds. What other options are there if they really need help?

Sands said the business cannot apply for another grant in this program as there are still many out there who are yet to get their first application approved. However, CalOSBA is going to roll out some additional programs and businesses who need additional help can find more information at https://business.ca.gov and that they should keep looking as programs are coming. He said that in addition, federal programs are also coming in the near future.