January 04, 2021
Eligible small businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — including physician practices — can now apply for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The program has a total of $475 million, with approximately $237.5 million available in the first round. The program is administered by California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).
The initial application period opened Wednesday, December 30, 2020, and closes January 13, 2021. Awards will be announced as early as January 15. Applications will be evaluated based upon criteria that look at local impacts of COVID, gross revenue losses, industry and underserved small business groups.
A second application period will open at a date still to be determined. Qualified applications submitted during the first round will roll over to the second round of funding for consideration.
A small business is defined as having between $1,000 and $2.5 million in yearly gross revenue. Non-profits are also be eligible for these grants. The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Businesses are eligible based on annual revenue as documented in their most recent tax return:
| Eligible Business Annual Revenue |
Grant Amount Available per Business |
| $1,000-$100,000 |
$5,000 |
| Greater than $100,000 up to $1,000,000 |
$15,000 |
| Greater than $1,000,000 up to $2,500,000 |
$25,000 |
Recipients of the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and/or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) recipients are eligible to apply. California small business COVID-19 grant funds may not be used to cover the same expenses for the same period that the PPP/EIDLs covered.
For more information or to submit your application, visit careliefgrant.com.
Sign up for CalOSBA updates here.