 COVID RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM FOR
SMALL BUSINESSES IN ALAMEDA COUNTY
Application Deadline: Monday, November 30, 2020, 11:30 PM
The Alameda County CARES grant program was authorized by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on November 10, 2020 when it redirected $5 million in CARES Act funds for a small business grant program in response to the economic, health and safety impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program prioritizes grants for small, local and emerging businesses within Alameda County and is intended to promote and foster inclusiveness in the County’s diverse communities. Grants are intended to assist small businesses facing revenue losses and ongoing expenses for business impacts occurring between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
Eligible businesses can receive a one-time grant of $5,000. The funds will not require repayment. Funds are limited and not everyone who applies is guaranteed to receive funding.
ELIGIBILITY
- Businesses physically located in Alameda County (excluding the unincorporated areas) that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19
- Employ between 1 and 25 employees
- Must upload a business IRS Form W-9
- Valid business license for the location (self-certify)
- Business has been negatively impacted by one of these measures (self-certify)
1. Closure of any length due to COVID-19; or
2. Layoff of one or more staff due to COVID-19
Exclusions: Alameda County CARES grants excludes all chain businesses not headquartered in Alameda County, financial institutions, banks, lenders, landlords of residential or commercial businesses, publicly traded companies, and non-profit entities.
USE OF FUNDS
Funds from Alameda County CARES grants may be used for the following items:
- Rent/lease/mortgage and utility payments for business facilities
- Payroll (may not be used to meet the same Payrolls an organization is paying for with funds received from the Paycheck Protection Program, but may be used to meet Payrolls after the organization has depleted their Payroll Protection Program funds) (self-certify)
- Operating Expenses such as supplies, materials, insurance, etc.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation or health safety equipment
Reimbursement for digital technology equipment required to transition existing programs online.
- Business adaptations to comply with or relating to new COVID-19 requirements needed for business operations or re-opening, such as interior and exterior reconfigurations including curb-side or storefront pick-up and delivery, partitions, temporary signage, outdoor seating (to encourage social distancing), and other required adaptations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Are home-based businesses eligible to apply?
A: Yes, home-based businesses that have an active business license are eligible to apply.
Q: My business is still not allowed to open or was ordered to closed again, per the Alameda County Public Health Order. Am I still eligible to apply?
A: Only businesses currently operating may apply for a grant.
Q: Can I apply for more than one grant if I have multiple locations in Alameda County?
A: No.
Q: Do I need to retain receipts if I am awarded a grant?
A: Yes, you will need to retain receipts and other proof of expenditures in the event your grant payment is subject to audit.
Q: Am I eligible to apply if I already received a grant from a city or if I received an SBA loan (PPP, EIDL, Express Bridge Loan)?
A: Yes, although your grant request must not duplicate any expenses from these other sources.
Q: How will grants be awarded?
A: If the funding requests for all grant applications exceeds available funding levels, grants will be awarded by lottery.
Find more FAQs here.
MORE INFORMATION
For details and online application, please visit:
https://eastbayeda.org/grants
Deadline to Apply:
Monday, November 30, 2020, 11:30 PM
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