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The first of two application windows for the California Small Business Relief Grants opens December 30, 2020 and closes January 13, 2021. Eligible small businesses and non-profits that have been impacted by COVID-19 are able to apply for grants of up to $25,000 to help with expenses incurred due to COVID-19 and mandated health and safety restrictions. Approximately $237 million in grant funding is expected to be awarded in Round 1, with awardees notified in January 2021.
Overview
On November 30, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the creation of a $500 million relief fund to help California small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Businesses must be located in California and have gross receipts of less than $2.5 million on their most recent income tax return. Eligible small businesses may apply for grants of between $5,000 and $25,000.
The grant process will be administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) in partnership with Lendistry, a small business lender that will host and manage the application portal and make the grant payments to approved applicants.
Eligible small businesses and non-profits may apply for grants up to the following amounts based on gross receipts in their most recent tax return filed, (2019 or 2018).
Eligible Business or Non-Profit Gross Revenue | Grant Award Available per Business or Non-Profit |
Annual gross revenue $1,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 grant |
Annual gross revenue greater than $100,000 up to $1,000,000 | $15,000 grant |
Annual gross revenue greater than $1,000,000 up to $2,500,000 | $25,000 grant |
Grant funding may be used for the following expenses in California –
Grant funding will be prioritized based on key factors, including the following –
Application Process
Between December 30, 2020 and January 8, 2021, eligible small business will need to complete a grant application via an online portal. As part of the application process, applicants will select a community development partner in their geographic area. In addition, applicants will need to –
Applicants will need to provide information around the purpose of the grant and indicate if the grant will create new jobs. In addition, they will need to provide information regarding the number of both full-time and part-time employees and the number of jobs both created and retained as a result of the grant funding. In keeping with the stated desire of the Grant Program to assist underserved communities, applicants will need to provide business demographic information, as well as their NAICS code.
Application to Business Owners
The grant funding is meant to assist California small businesses that have been most greatly impacted by COVID-19. If you believe that these grant opportunities may apply to you, please contact one of the following HCVT state and local tax team members for assistance to evaluate their eligibility and to assist in preparing an application.
Douglas Andersen | Partner | 562.216.5512 | douglas.andersen@hcvt.com
Brett Johnson | Principal | 310.566.1971 | brett.johnson@hcvt.com
Nancy Chher | Principal | 562.216.1814 | nancy.chher@hcvt.com
Edvin Givargis | Senior Manager | 562.216.5501 | edvin.givargis@hcvt.com
Elisa Reyes | Manager | 562.216.5500 | elisa.reyes@hcvt.com
Goran Jovicic | Manager | 562.216.5539 | goran.jovicic@hcvt.com
Micah Sims | Manager | 626.463.7217 | micah.sims@hcvt.com