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Join us for an informative hybrid workshop at ignite sparked by BBB, presented by the Better Business Bureau in partnership with the County of San Diego Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement. This session will provide critical insights on Fair Chance Hiring, helping business owners understand the County’s Fair Chance Ordinance and the California State Fair Chance Act. Attendees will gain expert guidance on best practices for hiring justice-involved workers, receive a Hiring Toolkit with ready-to-use templates, and learn how to protect their businesses from costly penalties. Secure your spot by registering now!

In the Preparing for Government Contracting: Crafting the Perfect Capability Statement webinar, participants will learn how to highlight their core competencies, past performance, differentiators, and key certifications in a concise and strategic manner. Hosted by Black Tech Link, gain insights on best practices and how to tailor capability statements for different contract opportunities. Whether you're new to government contracting or looking to refine your existing statement, this session will equip you with the tools to position your business for success in the competitive public sector marketplace. Register here! 

In honor of the 15^th anniversary of Live Well San Diego, we are Advancing Throughout the Year! In 2025, Recognized Partners can participate in monthly activities such as live webinars, networking events, and online outreach. We will be hosting a Business Webinar during Small Business Week in May, visit our page to get the latest information about this upcoming event!

Social Impact is the intentional, positive changes people make to create a better world for everyone. Join the conversation with businesses, employers, employees, and job-seekers to explore building social impact in your community!

Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program

California Department of Food and Agriculture's Farm to Community Food Hubs Program has up to $13.75 million available to award. Funding planning and food aggregation and distribution infrastructure for community food hubs to increase purchasing of local, environmentally sustainable, climate smart, and equitably produced food by schools and other institutions to build a better food system economy, support the local farming and Indigenous food production economies, accelerate climate adaptation, and employ food system workers with fair wages and working conditions. 

Eligible Geographies: Applicants must be based and operating in California.

To learn more, visit the Grant Guidelines. The application deadline is April 14, 2025, by 5:00 PM.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program 

The HOME Program is a federal formula grant program that provides annual allocations to states to increase and preserve the supply of decent, safe, and sanitary affordable housing specifically for serving low-income and very low-income households.

With this funding, the Department will award HOME funds to eligible non-Tribal applicants on a competitive basis, and to Tribal applicants on an over-the-counter basis, in the form of loans/grants to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance.

To learn more, visit the Grant Guidelines. The application deadline is May 25, 2025, by 11:59 PM.

CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development

CAL FIRE's Wood Products and Bioenergy team seeks to maintain and enhance the wood products infrastructure of California to promote healthy resilient forests throughout the state by supporting a diverse set of business development and workforce development projects. 

Eligible business development projects include facilities, operations, and professional services that support the restoration of healthy, resilient forests. Eligible workforce development projects include universities, colleges, government and community organizations, and businesses that aim to increase workforce capacity in the fields of logging, fuels treatment, transportation, manufacturing, or other support services that bolster the development of a resilient forest sector workforce.

To learn more, visit the Grant Guidelines. The application deadline is April 25, 2025, by 11:59 PM.

Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities

The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) builds healthier communities and protects the environment by increasing the supply of affordable places to live near jobs, stores, transit, and other daily needs. Personal vehicle use is, by far, the most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in California. AHSC reduces these emissions by funding projects that make it easier for residents to get out of their cars and walk, bike, or take public transit.

Visit the AHSC Program page to learn about eligibility requirements, funding, and how to apply. The application deadline is May 28, 2025, by 4:00 PM.

QUICK POLL

Based off this Funding and Grant Opportunities e-newsletter, have you found an opportunity that you would like to apply for? 

• Yes!
• No, there were none that were applicable to my business.
• No, I was not certain any of the opportunities applied to my business.
• No, the application process was not user friendly (complicated, too long, etc.).
• No, I do not have the time or resources to apply.

*Quick poll is located in right tab of webpage.