Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Program

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Guidelines for City of Goleta and Santa Barbara Foundation

Description

The Santa Barbara Better Together (SBBT), a Committee-Advised Fund at the Santa Barbara Foundation, provides financial assistance grants to the small local business community specifically to support basic needs of these businesses to enable them to continue operations in the short term while they are suffering from the effects of COVID-19 and where there are gaps in federal and foundation funding during the COVID-19 pandemic in Santa Barbara County. Providing support to these businesses will combat community deterioration and benefit the entire community. The Santa Barbara Better Together Committee Advised Fund is made up of Deckers representatives, Santa Barbara Foundation representatives, and local experts. All distribution of funds are voted on by the committee members.

The City of Goleta and Santa Barbara Foundation partnership will support grants from the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund to small Goleta businesses as they reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19. Outreach will be comprehensive with targeted outreach to minority-held businesses and those in minority or underserved/underinvested neighborhoods. In addition, priority will be given but not limited to child care, to-go food service, service industry, and outdoor dining businesses.

Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Limits

  • Up to $10,000 per grant.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for the SBBT Small Business Grant Program, businesses must meet the following criteria:

  • Based in the city of Goleta.
  • Operational in Santa Barbara County prior to January 1, 2019.
  • Gross total sales declined by at least 25% as a result of COVID-19 in March – June 2020, when compared to March – June 2019.
  • No more than 25 employees as of March 1, 2020.
  • No more than $3 million in gross total sales between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
  • Ability to provide documentation to verify the economic hardship suffered as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, including tax returns, financial statements, and other financial data.
  • The grant period is one year. A report will be due 30 days after the end of the one-year grant period.
  • Items necessary to operate safely under current public health guidelines including but not limited to signage, personal protective equipment, items to accommodate outdoor seating or service.

Terms

  • The grant period is one year. A report will be due 30 days after the end of the one-year grant.

Eligible Grant Uses

  • Items necessary to operate safely under current public health guidelines including but not limited to signage, personal protective equipment, items to accommodate outdoor seating or
  • Rent and utilities may be considered. The need must be related to lost income due to the pandemic.