Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Program

Leer en Español

Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Program Criteria Terms for County 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 during the COVID-19 pandemic period in a manner compliant with local and State Health Officer’s orders. 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 County of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Foundation partnership will support grants from the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund to small businesses located within the unincorporated portions of Santa Barbara County 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; comprised of up to $5,000 in funding provided by the County, plus up to $2,500 in matching funds from the Foundation.

 

Eligibility Criteria

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

  • Operate from a physical location within the unincorporated portions of Santa Barbara County.
  • Have provided uninterrupted service between January 1, 2019 and March 1, 2020.
  • If applicable, hold valid Seller’s Permit issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and a County Business License.
  • Employ between 3 – 25 FTE employees as of March 1, 2020.
  • Have no more than $3 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 – June 2020, when compared to March – June 2019.
  • Ability to provide documentation to verify the economic hardship suffered as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis, including tax returns, financial statements, and other financial data.
  • Show best effort to reopen and resume business operations, including Self-Certifying through the County’s RISE

 

Terms

  • Unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by both parties, the grant period terminates on December 15, 2020. A report will be due 30 days after the end of the grant period.
  • Any funds unallocated at the close of the grant period will be returned to the County.

 

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.
  • Expenses must have been incurred during the period that begins on March 4, 2020 and ends on Dec. 15, 2020.
  • The funds may not be used for ineligible expenditures, as described in the Corornavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local and Tribal Governments updated June 30, 2020, as may be further updated.