Loans and Grants for East Bay Businesses Affected by COVID-19

For East Bay Businesses

Oakland Small Business Emergency Grant Program
Application due Sunday, April 5th. Provides working capital grants of $5,000 to small businesses in Oakland owned by very low-income individuals who have suffered financial loss due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Berkeley Relief Fund
Application due Monday, April 6th. Berkeley City Council has approved $3 million for emergency relief grants to small businesses, nonprofit arts organizations, and residential tenants

Hayward COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Grant Program
$5000 grants to Hayward businesses with 25 or fewer employees and all independently-owned restaurants, regardless of employee count.


Federal and California Financial Assistance

Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees

Please note you must apply through an existing SBA 7(a) lender. National partners include:

The SBA states businesses should consult with their local lender to see if it is participating in the program.

California Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
Small Businesses and eligible non-profits located in California with 1-750 employees that have been negatively impacted or experienced disruption by COVID-19 are eligible. You can apply directly with a lender or get additional information by contacting one of the participating Financial Development Corporations (FDCs) from this list.

Sales Tax Payment Plan
 businesses with less than $5 million in annual taxable sales can obtain a payment plan for up to $50,000 of sales and use tax liability. Plans are for 12 months and interest and penalty-free. Once the system is up and running, taxpayers will request the payment plan through the Department of Tax and Fee Administration online services portal.

Unemployment insurance for people, including some independent contractors, unable to work because:

  • their employer has reduced hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19
  • their child’s school is closed and they have no other care options

Grants Supported by Corporate and Individual Donors

The Council of Fashion Designers of America Grants
Grants of up to $100,000 through its A Common Thread initiative. Anyone in the fashion industry who has been in business for more than two years can apply here.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in more than 30 countries where we operate will be able to receive the grant. To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Have between 2 and 50 employees
  • Have been in business for over a year
  • Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
  • Be in or near a location where Facebook operates

Hello Alice COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant
Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus, as part of our broader mission to ensure Business for All.

ICA Rapid Response Liquidity Fund
ICA is creating a Rapid Response Liquidity Fund, in the form of a zero-interest loan, to address the immediate gap in capital. Fill out the form to be notified when the fund is launched.

Kiva
U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to expanded eligibility, loan increase to $15,000, and a grace period of up to 6 months.

The Red Backpack Fund
1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. Applications open on April 6th.

SheaMoisture $1 Million Community Commerce Fund
SheaMoisture announces a $1M Fund to support entrepreneurs of color and small businesses, driven by its long-established Community Commerce business model.

GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund
The Small Business Relief Fund, which will issue $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe.
Start a Fundraiser for Payroll and Expenses >
FAQs >

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund
Application due Saturday, April 4th. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation and Verizon are offering grants for small businesses. LISC will use the Verizon funding to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital.


For Individuals

Disability insurance 
For people unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19

Paid family leave benefits 
For people unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
Provides $500 grants to restaurant industry employees who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, financially, whether through a decrease in wages or loss of employment.

Related Posts:

Back to top