Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Program (Santa Barbara)

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Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Program

Terms for City of Santa Barbara 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 related 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 Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Foundation partnership will support grants from the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund to small Santa Barbara businesses as they reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19.

 

Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Limits

  • Up to $7,500 per grant

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SBBT Small Business Grant Program, businesses must meet the following criteria:

  • Based in the City of Santa Barbara and in operation in the City of Santa Barbara prior to January 1, 2019.
  • At least 3 and no more than 25 employees as of March 1, 2020.
  • No more than $2 million in gross total sales between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
  • Gross total sales declined by at least 25% as a result of COVID-19 in March – August 2020, when compared to March – August 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.
  • Show best effort to reopen and resume business operations.

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 service.
  • Rent and utilities may be considered if need is related lost income due to the pandemic.