On March 18, 2020, the Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to direct City staff to develop an economic resiliency program that would assist Long Beach families, workers, nonprofits and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation continues to evolve, check frequently for updates on available resources and services at http://longbeach.gov/economicdevelopment/covid-19-business-support/.
Need capital to launch, stabilize, or grow your business or nonprofit? The City of Long Beach manages multiple loan programs that can help to get your nonprofit off the ground or help take your organization to the next level.
Emergency Microloan Program
The Emergency Microloan Program is designed to support Long Beach businesses and non-profits that have been financially burdened by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
To get started, potential borrowers must sign-up for an appointment with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at longbeachsbdc.org or by phone at (562) 938-5100.
Three new funding rounds are opening for eligible nonprofits throughout the months of August and September. Grants awarded range from $5,000 to $25,000 for each round. Please note important guidelines and dates for each. Visit https://careliefgrant.com for details and to apply.
Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds.
Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3rd through Thursday, September 16th.
Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds – only existing waitlisted applicants will be selected to move forward in the validation and verification review process. Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.
Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted
Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only:
Application window: Friday, August 27th through Wednesday, September 8th.
Eligible applicants: Only non-profit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
Details: Approximately $16 Million dollars remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1,2, 5, or 6.; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019
Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds.
Application window: Thursday, September 9th through Thursday, September 30th.
Eligible applicants: current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.
Due to the health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion (LBCEI) Board of Directors authorized an emergency response plan to redirect program funding to serve low-income working families and underrepresented small businesses most affected. The Emergency Response programming will direct $250,000 into low-income communities in North, Central and West Long Beach in four areas of need: 1) Food Security, 2) Small Business Support, 3) Digital Inclusion and 4) Housing Support Services. Visit https://lbcei.org/inthistogether/ to find out more.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The US Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. Find out more at https://sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program.
Los Angeles County has launched a new $500,000 grant fund for businesses and nonprofits. Grants up to $10,000 are awarded based upon demonstrated need. Applicants must be for-profit corporations or non-profits with a for-profit activity, must have between 2 and 50 full-time employees, less than $2 million in gross receipts or annual revenue, and must demonstrate significant economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. The applications portal has closed, but you may still request placement on the waitlist at https://workforce.lacounty.gov/. For more information go to https://workforce.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/wdacs-covid-grant-fact-sheet-r3.pdf.
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) provides an online Coronavirus Response and Recovery Resource Guide to help for-profit and non-profit employers of every size, as well as their employees in LA County, survive and recover from the increasingly devastating economic impacts of the necessary government restrictions imposed to slow the transmission of COVID-19.
Obtain funding options and legislative updates through the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network’s COVID-19 Response Guide. The SBDC also offers information on applying for Small Business Administration loans. Click here to view the presentation.
The CSULB College of Business, through its Legal Studies in Business Program and Legal Resource Center, is offering an online Certificate in Business that provides comprehensive instruction on laws and procedures relevant to small business entities. The course is FREE, begins March 1, 2021, and includes eight weeks of online instruction and access to materials. Registratio closes January 31 2021. Contact the College of Business here for more info and to request enrollment.
For statewide resources, advocacy and support relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://calnonprofits.org/publications/article-archive/683-a-few-resources-for-nonprofits.
Stay informed on policy, share proven practices and find solutions through this nationwide resource. Visit https://councilofnonprofits.org/nonprofits-and-coronavirus-covid-19 for COVID-19 support.Miller
