Applications open February 2 through February 8

During Round 1 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program, we at CalNonprofits held two webinars, published (and continue to update) FAQs, and individually responded to more than 1,200 nonprofits needing help with their applications.

With the next application window for Round 2 about to open, we are hosting a webinar with Janet Perez Shensky, VP of Strategic Partnerships, at Lendistry (the company chosen by CalOSBA to administer the program).

Round 2: California Small Business (and Nonprofits!) Relief Grant Program (Webinar)
Monday, February 1, 2021 from 2 pm to 3:15 pm
Register here (it's free but registration is required)

THIS WEBINAR WILL BE RECORDED.

If you can't attend, please register and you will receive the recording and slides after the webinar. 

Speakers:

• Janet Perez Shensky, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Lendistry
• Sue Sigler, CalNonprofits CSBG Program Manager
• Lucy Salcido Carter, CalNonprofits Policy Director
• Jan Masaoka, CalNonprofits CEO

CalNonprofits is honored to be chosen as an "application partner" to the program, authorized to help nonprofits navigate the process and answer the questions on the application form. You do not have to be a CalNonprofits member to apply through us.

For questions about the program or the application contents, contact Sue Sigler, CSBG Program Manager, with questions about the program at sues@calnonprofits.org or 415-535-0738. 

Grant information

Thanks to advocacy by CalNonprofits and others, the California Small Business Grant program explicitly includes nonprofits as eligible grantees! CalNonprofits is partnering with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) and the grant administrator Lendistry to provide grant program and application information to nonprofits across the state. 

Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the size of the organization. There are two rounds of grants totaling $237.5 million each (Round 1 is now closed). 

If you applied for Round 1

• If you tried to apply in Round 1 but weren't able to finish your application, you can complete your application anytime now through February 8. Be sure to return to your application using the link in your password email.
• The application process for Round 1 closed on January 13. Lendistry sent approval notifications through January 21st. 
• If your organization qualified as an eligible applicant in Round 1 but were not selected for funding, you do not have to reapply; your application will automatically be considered in Round 2.
• Lendistry will notify applicants that were not eligible for the grants on February 24th. This applies to both Round 1 and Round 2 applicants.
• If you started an application but did not complete it, you may complete it before February 8. 
• Check our updated FAQs on the program.

If you are a new applicant

• You can apply for Round 2 if you did not apply for Round 1.
• Starting February 2 new applications for Round 2 will open here: https://calnonprofits.mylendistry.com/login/
• The grant application has many questions that don't apply to nonprofits. Please see our FAQ for guidance in answering them or our most recent recorded webinar with Lendistry. We also recommend that you register for the upcoming webinar (February 1st) even if you can't attend. You'll get the recording and slides on February 2nd.

Important Dates:

• Round 2 opens at 9:00am on February 2 and closes at 4:59pm on February 8.
• Round 2 approval notifications will be distributed February 11 – 18.
• February 22: Applicants who were waitlisted in Round 1 and also not selected in Round 2 notified.
• February 24: All other applicants not selected for grants to be notified.

Need help with the application?

CalNonprofits’ role as a partner is to support nonprofits in getting the most updated information and answering your questions. For questions about the program or the application contents, contact Sue Sigler, CSBG Program Manager, with questions about the program at sues@calnonprofits.org or 415-535-0738.