Long Beach Small Business Grant Opportunities

LONG BEACH —The week of March 7, the City of Long Beach announced the Long Beach Recovery Act Small Business and Non-Profit Relief grants, a new recovery program to help small businesses and nonprofits that have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant opportunities, totaling $8.4 million in funding, will provide working capital to eligible small businesses and nonprofits to help them pay for a variety of business expenses, such as payroll, rent, personal protective equipment or PPE, technology upgrades, marketing and more.

These grant programs will provide much-needed support for local businesses and nonprofits — an integral part of the Long Beach community and economy. The program will include the following four grant opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by COVID-19:

• The restaurant, brewery and bar relief grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach food and beverage businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business.
• The personal services and fitness relief grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach personal services and fitness businesses. Eligible small businesses can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their business.
• The small business relief grant will provide direct financial relief to small Long Beach businesses that do not qualify for the restaurant, brewery and bar grant nor the personal services and fitness relief grant. Eligible small businesses can receive between $2,500 and $10,000 to support their business.
• The nonprofit relief grant will provide direct financial relief to 501c3, 501c19, and fiscally sponsored nonprofits. Eligible nonprofits can receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to support their nonprofit.

The application period began March 16 and will close May 15, 2022. Additional information regarding the application process and eligibility requirements will be outlined in a forthcoming press release.

To learn more, small businesses and nonprofits can call the City’s BizCare Hotline from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 562-570-4249, email 4Biz@longbeach.gov, or visit longbeach.gov/bizcare. 

The City has contracted with LiveStories to provide comprehensive grants administration support services. LiveStories will be making available the following services:

• A user-friendly online application portal that can translate grant applications in multiple languages;
• Intaking, reviewing, approving, and funding applications via electronic fund transfers; and
• Case management support and a call center to quickly resolve application issues. For technical support, applicants can call 855-582-3973 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m or email forward-support@livestories.com.

 A total of $20 million has been allocated for business support under the Recovery Act. 

Details: longbeach.gov/recovery.