Rounds 3 and 4 of the California Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program are Opening, Starting March 5th
If you’re a small business owner in California, odds are that you’ve already heard of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Rounds 1 and 2 of relief have already gone out to several small businesses to help them stay in operation during the pandemic. But, if you are one of the businesses that did not receive grants in the last two rounds of funding, there is still hope for you!
On February 23rd, Governor Newsom Signed into law a package providing urgent relief for the small businesses of California. The package included $2 billion (4-times the amount of aid that is already being distributed), with $50 million of the total designated for non-profit cultural institutions.
We’re going to dive into the details of the next several rounds of grants coming up over the next several weeks.
Why Didn’t I Receive Grants in Rounds 1 or 2?
Because there are so many small businesses in California, it is unfortunately not possible for every single one that submitted an application to receive funds. That said, there are a few things to consider so that your application isn’t disqualified because of incorrect information.
If your application had the following errors, it’s very likely that your business did not receive any grants and will not in the future unless your application is corrected. Here are the most common mistakes:
Incomplete information
Incomplete documentation
Pictures (jpgs) of your documents rather than PDF forms
If your application contained these mistakes, don’t worry. We are here to help make sure that all of your small business’s application forms are correct so that you can get the funds you need when you need them. Contact us to get the help you need.
Am I Eligible for Grant Funds?
Here are some of the key qualifications to help you determine whether or not your business is eligible:
You must have a physical address and also operate in California.
You must be between $1,000 and $2.5 million in gross annual revenue, based on your most recent tax return.
You must have been in business since June 1, 2019.
You must be able to show that your business has been affected by the pandemic.
When are the Next Rounds of Application?
Rounds 3 and 4 are coming up right on the heels of each other. Check out the details below to see if you qualify for these new potential funds.
ROUND 3: Waitlisted from Rounds 1 & 2
Application Dates: Friday, March 5th through Thursday, March 11th, 2021
Who it’s for: Round 3 funds are for California small businesses that already applied for either Round 1 or Round 2 of funding and were put on the waitlist. If that’s you, then you don’t need to do anything but wait. Only applications that have already been submitted will be considered for grants, so you don’t need to re-apply.
If you did not apply in rounds 1 or 2, unfortunately, you can’t apply for round 3 either. Check out the details for Round 4 to see if you qualify.
ROUND 4: For Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Only
Application Dates: Tuesday, March 16th through Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021
Who it’s for: Round 4 of applications is for Nonprofit Cultural Institutions of any anual revenue that meet the other eligibility qualifications.
The types of institutions included in this round of funding are:
Art Dealers
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
Dance Companies
Musical Groups and Artists
Other Performing Arts Companies
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with facilities
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without facilities
Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
Museums
Historical Sites
Zoos and Botanical Gardens
Nature Parks & Other Similar Institutions
If your business qualifies, you’ll need to submit a new application in order to be considered for this round of grants, even if you submitted an application in Rounds 1 or 2.
Also note that your business can only receive funds if you have not already received funds from Rounds 1-3.
*ROUNDS 5 & 6: More Information Coming Soon
Other Things to Keep in Mind when You Apply
Grants will be between $5,000-$25,000. The amount given to a business will be based on its annual revenue.
You’ll need documentation of your grant application, your most recent tax return, and a government-issued photo ID.
If you own multiple businesses, you can only receive ONE grant, and you are required to apply for your business with the largest revenue.
Double-check the documents you upload to the application portal to ensure that they correspond with the highlighted document portion. It’s easy to upload a document in the wrong place, which can hold up the application process. Save yourself the delay and double-check.
If you have additional questions about the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, click here.
Additional Help for Small Businesses
We at JR Bookkeeping have partnered with local organizations such as WEV, the EDC, and SCORE to help small businesses take advantage of available resources to survive and thrive through the pandemic. To find out more, check out our Calendar for free, weekly webinars, or click here to see our list of COVID-19 business relief resources.
The relief grant program is part of a package of state-provided tax relief and grants for small businesses that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The first round of applications opened in late December. The state grants are not related to the federal Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans or Provider Relief Fund.
Here are some additional resources:
Program: California Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program
Application Dates:
Round 3: March 5 – March 11
Round 4: March 16 – March 23
Rounds 5 & 6: Information Coming Soon