Support
Relief Funding, Financial Resources, and Updates for Small Businesses in the Bay Area
After the Covid-19 pandemic, many small businesses saw significant loss in their revenue and have faced difficulty paying their obligations such as payrolls and rents.
Therefore, we are compiling this list of updates and resources focusing on various funding options such as grants, loans, and other helpful resources that you can apply for to assist you with your small business. It will mainly focus on the resources for small businesses based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.
We will continue updating this list weekly based on availability - please check the top of the funding list for the most recently added opportunities.
Funding
Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant by NTHP - Now Open
In its fourth year, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are doubling the number of Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant awardees to 50 small or independently owned restaurants across the country. Each restaurant—all places that contribute to their neighborhood's unique history and identity—will receive $50,000 in funding to help them improve their businesses and positively impact their communities
IBank’s Small Business Finance Center Loan Guarantee Program - Now Open
The IBank’s Small Business Finance Center provides a loan guarantee program to help small businesses overcome barriers to accessing capital. The program encourages lenders to provide funding to small businesses for growth and success. Credit qualifications are based on lender criteria.
Woman-Owned Small Business Grant - Now Open
From SF.Gov, woman-owned small business may be eligible to receive $5,000 for projects and upgrades to help their businesses grow. In addition to being a woman owned business, the business must operate in San Francisco and must complete 3 months and a total of at least 8 hours of consulting with a technical assistance provider. Compete the application to see if you are eligible.
ADA Barrier Removal Grant - Now Open
Apply for a reimbursal on furniture and other office expenses that make your business more acceptable. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
SBA (7) Microloan Program - Now Open
Businesses in the Greater San Francisco area can apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the Southeast Asian Community Center (SEACC) with terms varying from two to four years.
Mission Asset Fund - Now Open
The mission asset fund is targeted towards business owners who may not be approved for credit at other institutions and offers zero interest loans in attempt to help borrowers build up their credit.
Fondo Adelante - Now Open
The community loan fund of MEDA. There is no application fee or minimum credit score and loans range from 3 to 5 years and range in value from $5,000 to $100,000. These loans typically sit at seven to nine percent interest, far lower than the borrowing rates on credit cards.
Healthy Retail SF Program - Now Open
The Healthy Retail SF initiative seeks to increase the number of stores selling healthy food. Once eligible, you can apply to become a Healthy Receive financial assistance, an individual development plan to plan for the future of your business, and get help redesigning your store.
Zero Waste Pilot Grant Program - Now Open
Apply to receive a $2,500 dollar grant to transition your restaurant's take-out containers to a reusable format. Participants of the program must receive their reusable containers from Dispatch Goods.
SmartBiz SBA Loans - Now Open
Receive a loan of up to $350,000 for your small business with fixed interest rates and options for repayment of up to 10 years monthly. Eligible business owners must be citizens or legal permanent and must be 2+ years in business with good credit and cash flow to qualify. See if you pre-qualify now!
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready - Now Open
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program is a free entrepreneur training program which provides the participant with modules, expert coaching, peer networking, grant opportunities, and much more. Register today and build your successful dream business with the Verizon Digital Ready program!
SF Construction Funds Grant - Now Open
Receive a grant up to $5,000 to improve your small business storefront. To be eligible for the grant, you must have a storefront, have not begun working on the project, have less than $2.5M in gross revenue on your most recent tax return, have an estimated cost for the project, and have an owner from a low-income household or be a non-profit.
San Francisco Accessibility Grant - Now Open
Do you have a business that you wish was more accessible but don't have the funds to make it more accessible? Apply for the San Francisco Accessibility grant. This grant is for businesses that have less than $2.5 million in gross revenue, have less than 100 employees, must be open to the public, and must be registered in San Francisco. Eligible businesses may receive up to $10,000.
San Francisco Legacy Business Program - Now Open
Become a Legacy Business in San Francisco and receive marketing and business help, and special grants. A Legacy Business is a business in San Francisco that has operated in SF for over 30 years, had no break in operations for more than 2 years, and has contributed to San Francisco's history or identity.
Small Business Technical Assistance Grant - Now Open
This amazing opportunity offers aspiring entrepreneurs to receive training in creating and running a small business and offers a grant of up to $50,000 if eligible. The goal of the program is to assist small business owners to eliminate hefty startup and operating costs such as inventory, hiring, equipment, rent, and utilities.
SF Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) - Now Open
Get approved for a loan up to $100,000 from Working Solutions CDFI to help get started on your small business. No minimum credit score or minimum revenue is required.
Oakland Black Business Fund - Now Open
The Oakland Black Business Fund aims to provide capital, technical assistance, and growth strategy to black-owned businesses in Oakland, CA. The approach this program takes is one of building a strong network of relationships between black business owners resulting in the bolstering of the black economy. Apply now to discover how much you can receive!
Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund - Now Open
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 40% of small business are unable to survive following a disaster. To help restaurants recover in times of critical need, DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. If your restaurant has been affected by a disaster and is at risk of sinking, apply to this grant to potentially receive a $10,000 grant to stay afloat.
California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for Small Business - Now Open
CalCap encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have trouble obtaining financial support. CalCAP is also a loan reserve loss program which may provide up to 100% coverage to participating lenders on losses as a result of defaults by the small business.
SFDesign - Design Services Storefront Grant - Now Open
Receive financial assistance in improving your business' storefront. Those who are are eligible must have less than $2.5 M in gross revenue, must be an owner from a low-income household, and must have a storefront.
Center for Cultural Innovation Quick Grant - Now Open
The Quick Grant program awards reimbursement funds up to $600 to California artists, creatives, cultural practitioners, and cultural producers, and San Francisco/San Jose nonprofit arts administrators to participate in professional development activities that build administrative capacity, hone business skills, and strengthen the financial sustainability of the grantee’s practice, area of cultural production, or arts organization. Applications are due for this program by June 15.
Recycling Market Development Zone Revolving Loan Program - Now Open
The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) aims to increase the supply of California-based recycling businesses located within California financing businesses that recycle recovered waste materials through productive processing or manufacturing. The total estimated funding available is $37,426,000 and is an ongoing program.
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) – Now Open
The ERTC is a refundable tax credit that rewards businesses up to $33,000 per employee. The ERTC was designed to reward and encourage businesses to keep their employees on payroll. It has been dramatically expanded to provide more financial relief to a larger group of employers. Employers can take advantage of the ERTC against federal employment taxes via qualified wages paid to their employees from March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Businesses can retroactively claim the credit against past quarters. We strongly recommend that you speak with a CPA. If you do not currently work with one, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce has a list of local CPAs.
CCI Quick Grant - Applications Due on the 15th of Each Month
The Quick Grant program awards reimbursement funds up to $600 to California artists, creatives, cultural practitioners, and cultural producers, and San Francisco/San Jose nonprofit arts administrators to participate in professional development activities that build administrative capacity, hone business skills, and strengthen the financial sustainability of the grantee’s practice, area of cultural production, or arts organization.
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness – Now Open
If you've taken out a loan of $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct loan forgiveness through SBA's online portal. A borrower can apply for forgiveness once all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness have been used. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. If borrowers do not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, then PPP loan payments are no longer deferred, and borrowers will begin making loan payments to their PPP lender.
Working Solutions Small Business Revolving Loan Fund - Now Open
Working Solutions is pleased to announce the launch of a new Small Business Revolving Loan Fund to serve San Francisco’s District 10. In partnership with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, the Fund will provide affordable capital and free business consulting to businesses located in Bayview Hunters Point and other D10 neighborhoods (94124, 94134, 94107, 94103, and 94110). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Small business owners can take the first step in applying by filling out its Pre-Application form.
The Fund for Trans Generations (FTG) - Now Open
The Fund for Trans Generations (FTG) is committed to providing rapid response funding to trans-led organizations responding to their community’s rising needs. These grants, which range between $2,000 and $10,000, are processed quickly and without strings to meet the pressing needs of trans communities of color.
Wells Fargo Community Giving Fund - Now Open
Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of national and local nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities: financial health, housing affordability, small business growth, and sustainability and environmental justice to address these complex societal issues and help create a more inclusive, sustainable future. The amount of funding for grants is not specified.
Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building - The Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building provides quick-turnaround funds to frontline social justice organizations that are strengthening the voice and power of low-income residents and people of color. The fund offers grassroots organizations small, one-time grants within 30 days of receiving a funding request.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan - Now Open
SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. Payment term may be up to 30 years. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed people can also apply.
Apply through SBA directly.
Kiva- Now Open
0% interest loan through crowdfunding. Maximum loan amount of $15k.
Arts Loan Fund- Now Open
Available to small to mid sized art organizations.
Southern Smoke Foundation- Now Open
Southern Smoke Foundation provides funding to individuals in the food and beverage industry who are in crisis.
Amber Grant- Now Open
$2000 is awarded to every successful applicant each month. An extra $25,000 is awarded at the end of the year to one of the monthly winners. Businesses owned by women can apply to this each month, though there is a $15 application fee.
Salon and Spa Relief Fund- Now Open
The Salon & Spa Relief Fund will provide grants of $2,500-$5,000 to salons in need to help get them back up and running.
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant- Now Open
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors. The maximum amount of this grant is $15,000; an award of $5,000 is typical.
The Mansa Fund- Now Open
Lee Moulton founded The Mansa Fund to help bridge the funding gaps that are putting promising Black and LatinX businesses at a disadvantage.
Honeycomb Loans- Now Open
Community sourced loans for small businesses. The loans are community funded via the Honeycomb crowdfunding platform.
Radical Xchange Charitable gifts for Black Mental Health Relief- Now Open
Radical Xchange and Another Round Another Rally have partnered together to provide Mental health relief to Black hospitality workers in need. This fund is specifically to support Black Hospitality workers living in the US (you do not need to be a citizen).
IFundWomen Grants- Now Open
IFundWomen offers a variety of grants for women-owned businesses. Grants are a debt-free source of funding to help you launch and grow your business.
Dramatists Guild Foundation Grants- Now Open
Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) offers grants to fuel the future of American theater by supporting the writers who create it. DGF fosters playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters at all stages of their careers.
The Workers Lab – Innovation Fund - Stay tuned for information
The Workers Lab 2024 Innovation Fund will provide gig and lower-earning contract workers with emergency funds, particularly workers without access to employer-based benefits like healthcare.
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund- Now Open
Fund for service workers struggling amidst the coronavirus crisis.
Walmart Foundation Community Grant Program- Now Open
The Community Grant Program is for local nonprofits and is between $250 and $5,000.
Google Ad Grants (for nonprofits)
This program provides free Google AdWords advertising to eligible non-profit organizations. The advertising value is limited to $10,000 a month and is available to organizations all around the world.
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
The SBIR offers grants to small businesses so they can participate in federal research and development that has the potential for commercialization. It’s a highly competitive awards-based program that helps businesses achieve scientific excellence and technological innovation.
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)
Similar to SBIR, the STTR program focuses on funding research in the research and development arena. However, what separates the STTR is that it “requires the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution.”
National Endowment for the Arts Grants
The National Endowment for the Arts is the only arts funder in America—public or private—that provides access to the arts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Each year, they award thousands of grants to provide all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation.
Actors Fund Entertainment Assistance Program
The Actors Fund provides services and financial support to entertainment professionals facing personal or work-related problems. It is also a conduit for emergency financial assistance in times of pressing need or in response to catastrophic events.
District 5 Business Window Reimbursement
Eligible businesses can be reimbursed up to $1,000 of the cost of replacing a storefront window with a maximum of two reimbursements per year.
Rebuild Oakland Black Businesses Fund
This fund is to help start the rebuilding of Oakland Black owned businesses that have been vandalized, destroyed, and damaged during the protests. We are also aware of those who are suffering financial hardship through Covid-19, and we want to help all those in need.Patagonia Corporate Grant Program
The corporate grant program at Patagonia gives between $10,000 and $20,000 of funding to innovative non profit organizations that work to preserve and protect the environment.
Get a 0% interest loan to buy energy-saving lights and appliances for your business.
Free videos, posters, social posts, and more – from your Business Profile on Google.
Other Resources
Start Small Think Big Small Business Support Services
Start Small Think Big offers any small business owner who is in a marginalized community legal services, marketing support, and finance consulting all at no charge. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity today!
Renaissance Women's Business Center
In partnership with the Small Business Administration, the Renaissance Women's Business Center offers business training, counseling, access to capital and markets, and support strategies that will assist emerging female entrepreneurs in SF to flourish.
WORKFORCELINKSF - Employer/Job Seeker
Looking to hire skilled employees for your small business? The Office of Economic and Workforce Development offers job seekers a range of services such as employment opportunities, access to customized recruitment services, and matching candidates with jobs based on skillset and interest.
The Centro Capital Hub is a non-profit organization that seeks to lead socioeconomic change by providing education, financial literacy, and leadership programs, to minority and women , low-income entrepreneurs, who want to start a business but don't have the knowledge or resources to achieve that.
Small Business Center - San Francisco Library
Sitting on the 4th floor of the San Francisco library is the small business center that seeks to assist entrepreneurs with starting a successful small business. The center offers guidance on how to plan, finance, operate, and market a small business. Receive guidance, at no cost to you!
Mayor London Breed New First Year Free Program for Small Businesses
Until October 31st of 2022, aspiring small businesses in the bay area qualify for a waive of the first year of permit fees for their business. To qualify for this program, a business must open in a commercial location and must have less than $2 million in San Francisco gross receipts.
San Francisco OEWD Job Seeker Services
The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) specializes in developing training programs for residents looking to get hired as entry level in high-growth industries such as Construction, Health Care, Hospitality, and Technology. Each sector program includes skill development, support services, and job development to place individuals in a range of thriving industries.
San Francisco Small Business Incentives
The City and County of San Francisco, the State of California and the U.S. Federal Government provide a range of incentives to encourage new business in the San Francisco Bay Area. Check them out!
The First Source Hiring Program requires that developers, contractors, and employers utilize good faith efforts toward employing economically disadvantaged San Franciscan residents for entry-level positions on applicable projects. The Program provides a ready supply of qualified workers to employers with hiring needs, and it gives economically disadvantaged individuals the first opportunity to apply for entry-level jobs in San Francisco.
San Francisco Business Services - SFMTA
Whether it's making it easier for customers to get to neighborhood businesses using sustainable options like Muni transit, walking and biking, or providing curb zones for loading and short-term parking, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is here to help San Francisco businesses thrive.
Venturize: Get on the path to business success
Venturize is a free online resource hub for small business owners like you who need help accessing tools and resources to grow their businesses. Managed by Small Business Majority, Venturize offers unbiased education and resources about small business loans, retirement and healthcare to empower entrepreneurs to make the best financial decisions for their business.
California’s Paid Family Leave Program
California’s Paid Family Leave program (PFL) provides wage replacement benefits to workers who need to take time off from work to bond with a new child or to care for a seriously ill family member.
CalSavers Retirement Savings Program: What Small Businesses Need to Know
The CalSavers Retirement Savings Program is a portable workplace retirement savings program for private sector workers whose employers do not offer their employees a way to save for retirement. CalSavers is run by the state and funded by modest employee contributions, so it involves minimal requirements for employers.
Free Legal Services for Low-Income Entrepreneurs
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE) provides free legal services to low-income individuals who want to start or develop businesses; businesses committed to investing in economically distressed communities, including hiring people with arrest and conviction records; and mom and pop shops located in areas where gentrification is a force for displacement.
Electronic Plan Review Now Available from the Department of Building Inspection
The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) has expanded Electronic Plan Review (EPR) to all In-House Review projects. This will create a one-stop online shop for In-House Permits, saving applicants time and money on their projects. More information is available on their website.
Recology Big Item Pickup Service
For large items that don’t fit or belong in your Recology carts, like old furniture, appliances, or mattresses, schedule a curbside Bulky Item Recycling pickup. This program does not accept hazardous waste, construction and demolition debris, or auto parts and tires.Residential customers (buildings with 5 units or less) receive two curbside Bulky Item Recycling collections per year at no additional charge, and each unit in a multi-family building (6 units or more) is eligible to receive one no-charge curbside collection.
Report Curb and Sidewalk Issues
Request repairs to sidewalks that are cracked, raised by tree roots, or have other defects. Inspections usually can take place within 3 business days. If you see an issue that needs repair, report it online.
SF Score Library of Business Resources
Get FREE business templates, e-guides, checklists, videos and other helpful resources to help you start and grow your small business. Their growing library has hundreds of free business resources. SCORE mentors are also available to assist in putting your ideas into action.
Free Muni for All Youth (18 years and younger)
Effective August 15, 2021 household income limits will be eliminated for the Free Muni for Youth program. Fares for all youth 18 years and under will be free. No application or proof of payment/Clipper card will be required to ride Muni vehicles with the exception of Cable Cars - simply get on and ride.
Find free or low-cost immigration legal services in your own language. Find out what help you need and get a list of organizations who can help you.
San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce
The SFAACC represents and promotes African American business owners in San Francisco.