Santa Monica Offers $5K Grants To Small Businesses

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica small businesses can apply for one-time $5,000 grants to help pay for equipment, technology, inventory, marketing and other expenses under a new $100,000 city relief program.

The city announced the Small Business Relief Microgrant Program Wednesday, with enough funding available for 20 businesses. Applications are open now and must be submitted by Oct. 1.

Business owners looking for help with the application can also attend a technical assistance workshop Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Community Room at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Businesses can RSVP for the workshop online.

The grants are available to existing brick-and-mortar businesses in Santa Monica with 50 or fewer employees and less than $3 million in annual gross revenue, according to the city's program guidelines. Applicants must also have a valid Santa Monica business license and meet other eligibility requirements.

How The Grants Can Be Used

The $5,000 grants can be used for a range of business expenses, including technology and website upgrades, equipment repairs, computers and point-of-sale devices, marketing and advertising, inventory and operating supplies and professional services.

The money cannot be used for construction or renovations, debt payments, taxes, fines or personal expenses.

If demand exceeds the available funding, the city will use several factors to prioritize applicants, including longtime Santa Monica businesses, businesses that recently opened or expanded and those that experienced economic disruptions such as theft, vandalism or construction impacts.

"Small businesses are the reason a block feels like a neighborhood instead of a row of storefronts," Mayor Caroline Torosis said in the city's announcement. "They are also where most Santa Monicans work and where a lot of us got our start."

The program is part of Santa Monica's Realignment Plan and is intended to help retain locally owned businesses, encourage investment in commercial corridors and support active storefronts.

The city said additional application rounds will be opened as needed until the full $100,000 has been awarded. Grant recipients are expected to be announced by early November.

Businesses can apply directly online, while the city's Small Business Relief Microgrant Program page includes additional information and links to the full guidelines in English and Spanish.