An Update from our President & CEO | COVID-19: Nonprofit Resources | COVID-19: Business Resources | COVID-19: Resources for Individuals | COVID-19: Apply for Grants | Community Response: Make a Gift | COVID-19: Ways to Help | COVID-19: SBF NEWS
Santa Barbara County’s vibrant business community is vital to the strength of our community. The economic impact already felt by the entire business community, especially those who work in small business, tourism and hospitality does not go unnoticed.
Santa Barbara Foundation is listening and supporting the social sector through our many partnerships during this period of increased demand for services.
The Santa Barbara Foundation’s initial funding priorities are: individual financial need, meeting increased service demand in the social sector and operational and business continuity for organizations to carry out their ongoing missions.
We encourage all of our friends and neighbors to closely monitor updates and review important health and safety resources from the following government agencies:
Additional Resources by Region:
CLOSED: Emergency Business Assistance Grant ProgramThe Emergency Business Assistance Grant Program provides microenterprise business assistance and small business assistance for the County of Santa Barbara. Eligible microenterprise businesses may apply for up to $10,000, while eligible small businesses may apply for up to $25,000. This grant program closed on June 30, 2021.
Additional Information: Before accessing the grants portal and registering your business to receive access to the application, please complete the eligibility checklist.
Applications WILL NOT be accepted by email or fax. Applications will be time & date stamped and reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis. If interest persists and funds are still available, the Santa Barbara Foundation may extend the application period.
Applicants may be required to submit additional documentation or detail. Applicants will have two weeks to submit additional materials, as requested by the Santa Barbara Foundation.
Please contact the Santa Barbara Foundation at 805-963-1873, for questions. Applications can be submitted via the Santa Barbara Foundation’s grants portal, printing and mailing or hand-delivering applications in a sealed envelope to the Santa Barbara Foundation at 1111 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, Ca, 93101 during regular hours of operation of Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
The Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation Restaurant Fund grant program will provide relief for small, independently-owned, dine-in restaurants during the ongoing pandemic. Small businesses in the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley (including Los Alamos) are eligible to apply for grants up to $10,000.
The Santa Barbara Better Together Fund (SBBT) was set up at the Santa Barbara Foundation as a committee advised fund in March of 2020 with an initial $500,000 donation from Deckers Brands. The fund helps local businesses survive these uncertain times which in turn will help sustain our community. View grant opportunities below.
The City of Santa Maria and Santa Barbara Foundation partnership will support grants from the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund to small businesses located within the City of Santa Maria as they reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19.
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.
The City of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Foundation partnership will support grants from the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund to small businesses located within the City of Santa Barbara as they reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19.
The Santa Barbara Better Together Fund (SBBT) at the Santa Barbara Foundation, in partnership with the City of Goleta, and Deckers Brands, is providing grants for Goleta’s small businesses.
Below are resources intended to provide businesses with additional information regarding assistance and news related to the developing needs of the business community. We will be updating this section as we become aware of additional opportunities for assistance.
The U.S. SBA Reopened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant for Applications
Axxess: Community Crisis Merchant Directory
Economic Development Collaborative: Regional resources for business consulting, funding and strategic initiatives within the regional economy
Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE): Business mentorship, webinars, online resources
Small Business Development Center Disaster Preparedness Toolkit
United Way: For Employees – Financial Hardships
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV): Financial loan support to businesses experiencing economic hardship
Small Business Finance Center (SBFC): loan guarantee programs is designed for Disaster Relief
Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA): Information for workers and employers regarding safety, workforce guidance and benefits
Economic Development Collaborative: Business resource guides, no cost business consulting and business financing information
California Capital Access Program (1-500 employees) loan loss reserve program for small businesses:
America’s Small Business Development Center: COVID-19 Small Business Resources
CARES ACT: Prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce COVD-19 Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
National Restaurant Association: Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant Program (APPLY HERE)
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation: Support and financial assistance opportunities for those in the food service industry
Small Business Administration (SBA)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Small Business Guide
COVID-19 Business Resource Guide for Businesses, Nonprofits, Self-Employed and Employees
U.S. Small Business Administration
Small Business Loans/PPP
Local Banks Assisting with the Paycheck Protection Program:
California Rebuilding Fund
Disaster Relief Loan Guarantees through IBank
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
National Council on Nonprofits:
Committee on Small Businesses: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, CARES Act for Small Businesses
SCORE: Coronavirus SBA Loans and CARES Act Assistance
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV): COVID-19 Message
Analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response ActCutting through the Jargon: How the CARES Act Works for Nonprofits, Nonprofit Quarterly, Mar. 30, 2020
Child Care Resources & Information for Employers: Santa Barbara County Emergency Child Care Initiative
HRxpress: Local HR Resources by Kerry McCoy & Team
Coronavirus – Frequently Asked Questions – Legal Aid at Work
For all workers in CA affected by COVID-19, information on filing an unemployment insurance claim
CA Labor and Workforce Development Agency: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers
COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Unemployment Insurance: How to File a New claim
Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Toolkit for Businesses
Restaurant Opportunities Centers United: Resources and Financial Assistance to Restaurant Workers Impacted by COVID-19
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Announces COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund
Small Business Administration Loans: Disaster Loan Assistance
Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
Score Santa Barbara County Business Advice and Resources
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Resource Page
COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses FAQs
GoToMeeting toolkit for business and free services
Your Business’ IT Preparedness Plan- COVID-19 by Goleta-based CIO Solutions
Techsoup: Nonprofit Resources for Remote Work During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Zoom Basics by Jennifer Polk – 9-page how-to
How to run a remote workshop, openscape/open leaders-style
How to transition to a remote classroom by Danielle Quinn
List of Virtual Meeting Tools with Pros & Cons
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