Grants

San Diego County Equity Impact Grants for nonprofits based in and serving communities in greater San Diego County with operating expenses under $500,000 and personnel of under five full-time employees, helping to build power and/or advance life outcomes among BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, immigrants, people with disabilities, women, and youth

Amount: $100,000 to 10 nonprofits; awards $10,000

Apply HERE: 2024 Equity Impact Grant Application

Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative. This initiative, a collaboration between the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and SHOWTIME®, will celebrate and support Pride and the LGBTQ+ community by identifying and making significant donations to at least 25 LGBTQ+ serving businesses this year, selected based on the communities they serve and their financial need. Entering its fifth year, in 2024 Queer to Stay will have extended support to over 100 businesses since its inception.

The “Queer to Stay” initiative launched in June 2020, awarding 10 LGBTQ+ small businesses across the country by addressing the financial hardships faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the COVID-19 National Emergency has ended, LGBTQ+-serving businesses are still facing financial challenges and are at risk of closures. LGBTQ+ bars, centers and businesses often serve as safe and affirming places for large portion of the community, especially for young queer and trans people and communities of color. Studies have shown that since the 1980s, there has been a decline in LGBTQ+ bars across America because of assimilation, gentrification and the rise of dating apps.

At a time when LGBTQ+ businesses are working hard to stay open, they’re also faced with fighting against a wave of hate like we’ve never seen before. Opponents of progress seek to challenge the very existence of LGBTQ+ people and the spaces that they occupy. That is why LGBTQ+-serving businesses are so important; they provide a space for queer folks to be their authentic selves and live their best lives— and they’re not going anywhere. The Queer to Stay program aims to uplift these small businesses and provide them with the resources they need to continue making an impact in their communities— despite the aims of those who seek to silence us, we’re here to stay.

New this year, HRC and Showtime will be partnering with Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), a financial support system for small businesses on a mission to advance economic justice for all, to increase lending and resources to underinvested entrepreneurs. This partnership will advance economic mobility and wealth creation by connecting the extensive network of “Queer to Stay” grant applicants to AOF’s flexible capital and free coaching resources.

To be eligible for this donation, your business must meet the following criteria:

• The Queer to Stay initiative is specifically focused on supporting US-based, for-profit businesses. Nonprofit organizations and international businesses are not eligible for funding through the Queer to Stay initiative.

• Your business should primarily serve/cater to the LGBTQ+ community, including LGBTQ+ Communities of Color, the LGBTQ+ Women’s Community, and/or the Transgender and Non-Binary Community.

• Your business must explain how they have been negatively impacted financially due to COVID-19.

• Special consideration will be given to businesses that are owned by members of the communities we are trying to serve through this initiative — queer people of color, queer women and transgender and non-binary individuals. We will also prioritize funding for businesses that did not receive a donation from the Queer to Stay initiative previously.

This is a one-time taxed donation, and HRC will select successful applicants in its sole discretion.  Each recipient will be required to sign an agreement before receiving funds.  The agreement will include specific terms and conditions relating to the award. Awardees will also be required to sign a conflict of interest certification and describe how funds were spent. HRC reserves the right to review  progress at any time.

The application period closes at 11:59:59pm on August 31, 2024. If you have any questions on the Queer to Stay initiative, please email [email protected].

San Diego County Equity Impact Grants for nonprofits based in and serving communities in greater San Diego County with operating expenses under $500,000 and personnel of under five full-time employees, helping to build power and/or advance life outcomes among BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, immigrants, people with disabilities, women, and youth

Amount: $10 admin fee to apply; awards $1,000

Apply HERE: HerRise MicroGrant Application

Are you a passionate entrepreneur with big dreams and a small business in need of support? What would you do with a $1,000 business grant?

Deja Vu Parker of WBLS, in collaboration with HerSuiteSpot, proudly presents the Hustler’s MicroGrant – a remarkable opportunity for small business owners like you to receive the boost you deserve.

Our mission is simple: to provide grants and invaluable resources to promising small businesses across the United States. With applications open each month, the process is straightforward and dynamic.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Apply today for the Hustler’s MicroGrant and let’s make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality.

Amount: $10 admin fee to apply; awards $1,000

Apply HERE: Hustler’s MicroGrant

The Genesis For Good Foundation, Genesis Bank, and the Genesis Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship (GBIE), along with Fiserv, Inc., launched the Genesis For Good Catalyst Empowerment Grant Program to support small business owners and diverse entrepreneurs located in low-to-moderate income communities. The grant program will award grants of up to $10,000 to eligible small businesses and diverse entrepreneurs to help improve their business infrastructure, accelerate economic growth, and enhance their capacity to create jobs, scale, and make a more significant impact on their communities.

As a complement to the grant, all recipients will receive access to the following resources in addition to the grant award:

• Membership in the Catalyst 360° powered by the Genesis Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship (GBIE), Genesis Bank’s business advisory division. This innovative program equips small business owners with access to resources, education, relationships, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community to help grow their business.
• Genesis + Clover Bundle point-of-sale technology, with zero entry costs and significantly discounted subscription fees. The popular Clover point-of-sale and business management system from Fiserv enables small- and mid-sized businesses to accept payments and run their business, while also offering capabilities to enhance customer experience and streamline operations.

Grant Application Details

The Catalyst Empowerment Grant Program began accepting applications from eligible small businesses registered and operating within Orange County, California on April 17, 2024, with plans for future expansion of the grant program to include eligible small businesses in Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County, California. Phase One is currently open exclusively to businesses in Orange County.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business must have gross revenues of $500,000 or less
• Business must have been in continuous operation for 1 year or more
• Business must have 10 employees or less, including the owner(s)
• Business must operate in a low-to-moderate income area as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Business must have all necessary and required licenses and registrations as required by the city (or cities) and county (or counties) in which it operates
• Grant application submission must include a brief 3-minute maximum video outlining the following:
  • Business owner background
  • Business vision and mission for community impact
  • How grant funding will help accelerate business growth

Note: The video is an opportunity for us to get to know you and your business and may be as simple as you speaking on camera to your phone. We do not expect professional-grade videography, editing, etc.

The following applicants are not eligible for this grant:

• Any business whose owners and/or investors include any of the following (collectively, the “Program Parties”):
  • Employees, Executive Officers, Directors, Shareholders, or Agents of Genesis Bank or its affiliates, and
  • Immediate family members and/or persons living in the same household of any of the parties listed above
• Any business that participates in influencing legislation or taking part in political campaigns on behalf of candidates
• Any business that is classified as a tax-exempt organization under IRC 501(c)(3)

This grant program is administered by the Genesis For Good Foundation. For more information on eligibility, application requirements, and future phases of the grant program, please visit https://genesisforgood.org/catalystgrant/

Click the Apply Now link below to start the application process for the Genesis For Good Catalyst Empowerment Grant Program.