Business Assistance

As developments continue to unfold in response to the spread of COVID-19, we know many small businesses have questions about implications in the workplace and funding options to help bolster their businesses during this difficult time. On this page, we are compiling relevant tips and resources such as unemployment, paid family leave, paid sick leave, healthcare and more.

California

April Parker Foundation

APWorks program

The APWorks program provides free technical assistance to small and emerging BIPOC businesses and nonprofits in Long Beach. 

Area served: Long Beach, California

California

Centro CHA

Centro CHA

Centro CHA knows that the heart of the community is the small business owner and entrepreneur and thus has dedicated a large number of its services to promote the economy by empowering local business owners first. Throughout the year local business owners can access a rotating number of workshops that cover topics like financial literacy, social media marketing, and strategic growth planning. 

Area served: Long Beach, California

California

Right Source Services

Right Source Services

We build personalized training programs specific to organizational objectives. Our goal is to build a stronger small business community by helping them integrate procurement into their business strategy while helping large entities meet their legal and shareholder-driven obligations.

Area served: Long Beach, California

California

United Cambodian Community's Cambodia Town Business Center

United Cambodian Community's Cambodia Town Business Center

The United Cambodian Community's Cambodia Town Business Center is equipped with resources and business navigators that provide 1-on-1 small business counseling & technical assistance. 

Area served: Long Beach and the greater Los Angeles area, California

National

Warrior Rising

Become a Vetrepreneur

Warrior Rising mentors veterans at any point in the process of starting their own business, whether it is only a concept or if they have actual operations. 

Area served: National

Virginia

Black Brand

B-Force Accelerator

A 12-week intensive for black and Latinx businesses that are at least 2 years old to prepare them for capital access. Must be located in Norfolk.

Area served: Norfolk, Virginia

National

SBA Office of Entreprenurial Development

SBA Thrive Emerging Leaders Training Program

Training program for business owners that have annual revenues of at least $250,000 and have been in business at least 3 years and have at least one employee.

Area served: National

National

Nav

Got student loans? What small business owners need to know

Student loan payments are frozen through the end of 2022 and partial student loan forgiveness may be coming for millions of federal borrowers. This change could ease the burden of small business owners across the country who are struggling to pay off their debt and run their businesses. 

Area served: National

National

U.S. SBA, WIPP, AMEX

ChallengeHER

ChallengeHER is a national initiative to boost government contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses with a special focus on the Women-owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. ChallengeHER delivers free workshops, mentoring, and direct access to government buyers.

Area served: National

National

Gusto

Employee Retention Calculator

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was created by the federal government to help ease the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses. Employers who are eligible for ERC, can receive tax credits in exchange for qualified wages and health plan expenses paid to (and on behalf of) employees.

Area served: National

Pages

National Resources

Corporate loan/grant programs
National

Angel City FC

Angel City Football Club’s Player 22 Small Business Grant Program

Angel City FC, LLC ("ACFC"), a majority women-owned and community-minded organization, has teamed up with IFundWomen to fund and support entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow their small businesses. Apply now for your chance to win a $10k grant plus one year of business coaching!

Audience: Small Business Owners

Corporate loan/grant programs
National

American Express, Main Street Alliance

Backing Small Businesses

The Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change. Applications will open on March 14 at 9:00 am CT.

Audience: Small Business Owners, Self-employed

Corporate loan/grant programs
National

Founders First CDC

Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant

The Kitty Fund makes small micro investments in Moms who are running employer-based small businesses with two or more employees. 

Audience: Small Business Owners

Nonprofit loan/grant programs
National

The Well Work and Justworks

Just Thrive Program

Their goal is to create more equitable access to the basic business infrastructure needed to get companies up and running by offering up to $6,000 in assistance for HR and payroll. This program is for you if your business has at least 50% ownership by someone who is a member of an underrepresented group.

Audience:

Nonprofit loan/grant programs
National

Hidden Star

Galaxy Grant

Hidden Star's mission is to help women and minority entrepreneurs on their small business journeys. Enter for a chance to win their new $2,750 Galaxy Grant.


Audience: Small Business Owners

Government loan/grant programs
National

MIT Solve

2024 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

MIT Solve seeks exceptional innovators supporting community-based solutions by and for Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada. All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.


Audience: Small Business Owners

Corporate loan/grant programs
National

FedEx

FedEx Small Business Grants

FedEx is giving away $1.9 million in grants to help small businesses thrive. The 2024 program will begin accepting applications on March 1, 2024.

Audience: Small Business Owners

Corporate loan/grant programs, Nonprofit loan/grant programs
National

Hispanic Heritage Foundation and AT&T

Grow Your Chispa Program

Through this program, they aim to empower Hispanic entrepreneurs by offering (5) $10,000 grants to those making a direct impact in their community. By providing small business grants, AT&T and HHF hope to not only alleviate financial burdens but also foster a support system that encourages entrepreneurship and helps small businesses thrive.

Audience: Small Business Owners

Corporate loan/grant programs
National

Etsy

Etsy Emergency Relief Fund

Any Etsy seller who has experienced a federally declared disaster within the past year may apply for a grant, as long as they’ve been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their accounts with Etsy are in good standing. The amount and frequency of grants will depend on the amount of money available in the fund at any given time.

Audience: Small Business Owners

Corporate loan/grant programs
National

Bizee

Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant

One young scholar with entrepreneurial spirit will receive $2,500 to continue their education.


Audience: Small Business Owners