Resources for Businesses

OPPORTUNITIES – GENERAL

Giving Joy Microgrant – Available to women 18 and older, you can use the grant to start a new business, or expand your existing business. You can also use the grant to start or expand a nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO), charity, or propose a specific activity or project you would like to implement.  Grant for $500.  Apply by 6/30/2022.  https://givingjoygrants.org/grant-application

Roddenberry Catalyst Fund – The Catalyst Fund is offering grants to Nonprofits & Social Enterprises to fund ideas or early-stage projects that have a high potential for large-scale impact and sustainable change.  You can be a seasoned social entrepreneur or a first-time changemaker. Eligible candidates for the Catalyst Fund may be individuals, teams of individuals, non-profit organizations, or social enterprises.  Grants for up to $15,000.  https://roddenberryfoundation.org/our-work/catalyst-fund/

Chick-Fil-A True Inspiration Awards Grant – Must be either a 501(c)(3) based in the U.S. or a Canadian charitable organization. Grants for $30,000 to $350,000.  Apply by 5/20/2022.  https://www.chick-fil-a.com/true-inspiration-awards/learn-more

Jobber Grants For Home Service Businesses – Any home service business owner or aspiring business owner 18 years old or older, residing in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Québec is eligible to apply for a grant from $2500-$15,000.  Apply by 5/26/22.   https://www.jobbergrants.com/

48 in 48 Website Build Hackathon – Social Justice Event – The event is designed to support and promote nonprofits in marketing and technology. They are gathering teams to build websites for nonprofits with social justice missions. If you are interested in either being part of a team or are a nonprofit looking for free website development check the website by June 3, 2022 – https://48in48.org/social-justice-event/ 

AT&T Black Future Maker – Black Future Makers are dedicated individuals pursuing greater possibilities for the greater good. Submit a video of 30-60 seconds, or photo, on your Instagram feed explaining how you are pursuing greater possibilities for you and the community. Grants for $10,000.  Apply by 12/31/22 – https://www.attdreaminblack.com/contest

Colocation America STEM Innovation Grant – This STEM Innovation Grant was created to fund programs that inspire and encourage Pre-K-12 students to pursue their interest and curiosity in STEM. Open to nonprofits and school districts and awards up to $7500.  Apply by 5/13/2022.  https://www.colocationamerica.com/stem-grant/?mc_cid=f6bf62d366&mc_eid=a05d277bb9

Comcast RISE – Marketing and Tech Support and Investment Fund – There are separate applications for the marketing and technology services awards and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. Eligible business owners may apply for either, or both programs. 

Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant – For Schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations who help students that are below grade level or having trouble reading are eligible to apply. Grant for $4,000. Apply by 5/19/2022.  https://www.dgliteracy.org/grant-programs/?#youth-literacy-grants

Dream Big Awards – Must be a for-profit business operating for at least one (1) year primarily within the United States with less than 250 employees OR gross revenues of less than $20 million for each of 2021 and 2022.  Grant for $25,000.  Apply by 7/8/2022.  https://www.uschamber.com/co/dream-big-awards/dream-big-awards-2022

Driving Small Business Forward – Ten $25,000 grants will be awarded to Hispanic Small Businesses to use towards the purchase of a commercial vehicle. Apply by 6/17/22 – https://helloalice.com/partners/progressive/

eBay Up and Running Grant – Business sellers will be asked to share details of their small business and how they plan to use the grant to accelerate their growth. eBay is looking to identify sellers who represent a diverse range of backgrounds, bring their unique experiences and inventory to the marketplace, and are committed to their communities and the eBay ecosystem. Grants for $10,000.  Apply by 6/10/22 https://helloalice.com/partners/ebay/

Excelerate America Pitch Competition – Excelerate America is partnering with Dell Technologies on a new pitch competition. 8 finalists will share their stories and virtually pitch to a panel of judges and the Collective on Thursday, June 16th, 2022.  Grants for up to $20,000. Apply by 5/20/22 – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/excelerate-america-pitch-competition-sponsored-by-dell-technologies-registration-330706300447

Fearless Strivers – Open to black women who are legal U.S. residents (including DC), 18+ and the principal owner of a U.S.-based small business. Grants for $10,000.  Apply by 12/31/22. https://www.fearless.fund/strivers

Global Citizen Collective Entrepreneur Grant – Designed for current business owners who have been in operation for 2 years or less. In keeping with the spirit of global citizenship each recipient’s business must be a source of enrichment and support for their community. Grant for $1,000. Apply by 6/1/22 – https://www.tgccollective.org/fundthefuture

Hello Alice Small Business Grants – Hello Alice is continuing the Year of Small Business celebration by awarding 50 small business owners with $5,000 grants. Apply by 5/20/22 – https://t.co/irmKalmxYH                            

HerRise Micro-Grant – Each month a $500 micro-grant will be awarded to a for-profit small business owned by women of color. Past recipients used their growth grants for computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchase, website creation and more.  https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/

HomeTeam Advantage Small Business Contest with Mastercard –  Small business owners in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City can enter for chance to pitch for $10,000 prize.  Apply by 5/15/22 – https://www.mastercard.us/hometeamadvantage/en/home.html

Juntos Crecemos Hispanic Digital & Delivery Program – PepsiCo is inviting Latina entrepreneurs who work in food service to apply for eight weeks of personalized expert consultation, including best practices across operations, technology, marketing and digital presence.   https://pepsicojuntoscrecemos.com/jefaowned/

Justworks Grant for Nonprofits – Supporting incubators and other non-profit organizations that help underrepresented founders access the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Grants for $50,000. Apply by 5/27/22 – https://justworks.com/lp/justworks-org

Kapitus Building Resilient Businesses Grant – Create an original video, no more than 2 minutes in length, telling your small business story and how $100,000 can help you continue to write that story.    Not for businesses based in CO or VT.  Apply by 6/30/22 – https://kapitus.com/brb/

Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship – Fellowships to 10 outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that benefits Indigenous people and communities. The fellowship is a two-year, self-directed enrichment program designed to support the process of growth, development, knowledge and networks of Native leaders and thinkers. The fellowships supports the work of Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers as they significantly advance their work and spark transformative change in their communities. Grants for $75,000. Apply by 5/26/22 – https://www.firstnations.org/rfps/luce-2023/

McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund in Food and Wine – SHE CAN Fund invests in the professional advancement and career growth of high-potential, professional women, with a particular focus on women of color. Mission is to close the gender and race gap in leadership positions in wine & spirits, hospitality, and finance industries by providing professional development – https://www.mcbridesistersfund.org/grants

National Black Business Pitch competition – The National Black Business Pitch (NBBP) is a competition designed to connect Black-owned businesses to corporations who seek to expand and diversify their supply chain with new products and services. Winner receives $10,000. Apply by 5/23/22 – https://nationalblackbusinesspitch.com/

Pure Leaf “No” Grants – “No” grants (grants are $2000 and open to US residents – concept is that women have to say “yes” to so much – what would an additional $2K enable you to say “no” to?) Winners receive the $ and access to a support community and resources through SeekHer’s Community Care Program. Apply by 5/31/2022.  https://nogrants.dja.com/

Restaurant Disaster Relief Grant – DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters like fires, floods and hurricanes with grants up to $10,000. Apply by 6/30/22 – https://helloalice.com/blog/doordash-disaster-relief-fund/

Restaurant Giving Grant – The grant for up to $120,000 is awarded to one tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization and can be used to support infrastructure, capital improvement and capital expenditures and/or salary.  Apply by 6/1/2022.  www.restaurantgiving.com/downloads/RGC-grant-application.pdf

SeedInvest Pitch Competition – Apply for the virtual pitch competition for historically underrepresented founders.  Six finalists pitch an all-star group of judges for up to $25,000. Apply by 5/20/22     https://www.seedinvest.com/pitch-competition

Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator – Must be over 16 and under 26 years of age and resident of the US.   Looking for innovative and creative ideas at all stages of development, which means it can be a new idea, or a fully baked one. Grants for up to $10,000. Apply by 6/1/22 –           https://www.changemakers.com/take-action/challenge/ambition/details

Truist NonProfit Grant – The Truist Foundation supports nonprofits with grants that target leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Quarterly deadlines – https://www.truist.com/purpose/truist-foundation/grant-application

UnderFUNDED Spring 2022  – Grant for $5000 for one deserving Black female small business owner. https://www.thewellwork.co/grants#apply-now

Visible Hands – 14-week, virtual-first accelerator will give you the opportunity to work alongside a cohort of exceptional underrepresented founders to build or scale your venture-backed startup.  Preference given to women, non-binary and trans people, and Black, Latinx, and Indigenous American people.  Apply by 5/13/22 – https://www.visiblehands.vc/apply   

Watson Accelerator – The Watson Accelerator is a hybrid program designed for impact-driven entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their ventures with access to a global network, training designed to strengthen skills, and mentorship with seasoned professionals, venture capitalists, and enterprise executives. Through this 18-week program (3 weeks in Boulder, CO and 14 weeks virtual), fellows will engage in courses in areas such as leadership development and applying practical entrepreneurial skills to their ventures alongside a global community of like-minded changemakers. Funding up to $17,500.  Apply by 6/1/22 – https://watson.is/watson-accelerator-application/

Wish Local Empowerment Program – You must be a Black-owned business with a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States and less than 20 employees. If selected for the program, you must join Wish Local (which is free). Grants for up to $2000 – https://www.wish.com/local/empowerment      

You Glow Girl Women Entrepreneur Grant – Grant for $10,000 is open to all women entrepreneurs in the US. Apply by July 1. Top 25 will be announced for round 2 on July 8. Top 10 will be announced for round 3 on August 1. Winner announced mid-August.  https://www.eatmeguiltfree.com/pages/youglowgirl

Please find the following responses to some frequently asked questions below:

1. Should Lenders Offset Available Funds from Defaulted Borrowers?

If a PPP borrower is unable to seek forgiveness, is asked to pay back the loan on terms, and subsequently defaults, the Lender should make every attempt to collect available funds to reduce the loan balance.  If the Lender has the right of offset, it should exercise that right and offset legally available funds.  SBA expects Lenders to protect our position and theirs to recover whatever funds they are entitled to. 

2. How Should Lenders Notify SBA that a Borrower wants to Request a Manual Review of a Partial Forgiveness Decision?

SBA issued Procedural Notice 5000-827666, SBA Loan Reviews of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Partial Approval Forgiveness Decisions, on January 27, 2022.  In it we described the new rule that allows borrowers who have received partial forgiveness, but have not had the benefit of a manual review by SBA, to ask SBA to conduct a review. 

Please note that at this time, the module to accept these requests in the Paycheck Protection Program Platform is currently under development and therefore SBA cannot accept these requests. 

At this time, SBA expects lenders to notify borrowers of this right as outlined in the notice.  As soon as the new module is operational, SBA will issue another platform notification.  At that time, lenders will be able to enter ALL requests received to date.  Please note that SBA is aware that this situation affects the time guidelines stated in the notice.  Until the platform is fully functional, as long as the lender received the request from the borrower within the prescribed 30 days, SBA will accept the request for manual review, understanding that it wasn’t possible for the lender to submit the request. 

Please note, it is not necessary to email or notify SBA that you have received a request from a borrower.  SBA will honor the requests when the platform module is complete.     

SBA Loan Reviews of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Partial Approval Forgiveness Decisions

3. Can Lenders Extend the Maturity on PPP Loans Beyond 5 Years?

Lenders are encouraged to work with borrowers to allow for maximum flexibility in repayment of any outstanding balance of a PPP loan. Lenders should consult SOP 50 57 2, 7(a) Loan Servicing and Liquidation, for applicable SBA Loan Program Requirements regarding loan modifications, including extensions of maturity.

The maturity date of a PPP loan may be extended for up to 10 years beyond its original maturity date if the extension is granted before the SBA loan guaranty expires (i.e., less than 180 calendar days after the original maturity date) and the extension will aid in the orderly repayment of the loan.

4. Once a Loan is Forgiven, Should Lenders Continue to Submit 1502 Reports?

After a Lender receives a PPP forgiveness remittance from SBA, if no loan balance remains, the Lender must report the PPP loan as paid in full on the next SBA Form 1502 report. If a loan balance remains after a Lender receives a PPP forgiveness remittance from SBA, the Lender must report the reduction in the loan balance for the forgiveness amount on the next SBA Form 1502 report and must service the remaining balance of the loan in accordance with PPP requirements. The Lender must continue to submit a monthly SBA Form 1502 report on each loan until it is either paid in full or charged off.  The Lender must wait to receive the PPP forgiveness remittance from SBA before submitting a 1502 report showing the PPP loan as paid in full or a balance reduction due to forgiveness.  Premature 1502 reporting of forgiveness will cause the Lender’s forgiveness remittance from SBA, if any, to fail validation, because the SBA system must reflect the available funds. 

5. If SBA Arrives at an Adverse Decision During a Post Forgiveness Review What’s Next?

If SBA identifies during a post forgiveness review that a loan should not have been forgiven, it will notify the lender that it has either identified that the loan was not eligible or that SBA has identified fraud.  At that time the lender will receive instructions for clawing back the funds.  The lender will be expected to make every effort to recover the forgiveness funds from the borrower.  Ultimately, in most cases, SBA will work with the lender to convert the forgiveness decision to a guaranty purchase once SBA and the Lender have established that funds cannot be clawed back. 

6. What Should Lenders do if the Guaranty on a PPP Loan has been Purchased, but the Borrower Subsequently Asks for Forgiveness?

Borrowers have the right to ask for forgiveness after the guaranty purchase on PPP loans.  Lenders must accept that request, review it, and ultimately submit it to SBA for consideration.  SBA is currently working to develop a process to allow the forgiveness request to be entered into the PPP Platform after guaranty purchase has occurred.  Once SBA reviews and concurs with the forgiveness requests, SBA will then convert the guaranty purchase to a forgiveness decision.  Lenders should note that they are still responsible for processing the forgiveness decision even after SBA has honored the guaranty. 

7. Should Lenders Try to Get Hold Codes Cleared Prior to Asking for Forgiveness?

No.  This is not necessary, and in fact makes the process more complicated for SBA and the Lenders.  Lenders should submit the forgiveness request.  SBA will review the hold codes and work with the Lenders at that time to determine if the hold codes can be resolved. 

8. How Can Lenders Remit Funds Received on PPP Loans After the Guaranty Has Been Honored?

Lenders should use the pay.gov system to remit funds received for PPP Loans after Guaranty Purchase using the SBA Form 172.  When submitting the payment, Lenders should select “Payroll Protection Program (PPP)” from the four choices listed under the Type of Payment.  This will allow for the 100% guarantee and for 100% of the payment to be applied to the loan.

The loan product offered via the COVID EIDL program is the remaining small business COVID recovery option. It is beneficial to small business owners due to its

•Generous Terms: 3.75% interest + 30-year repayment horizon + 2 years deferment

•Reduced Repayment Burden: 30 years with 2 years deferment results in relatively smaller monthly payments versus market alternatives ($10,000 COVID EIDL = monthly repayment of less than $50 a month)

•Flexible Use: Small businesses can use COVID EIDL funds on any normal operating expenses and working capital, including paying business debt

•Accessible Application: COVID EIDL is obtained directly through the SBA, requiring no external financial institution for a small business to apply for and obtain funds

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Listed below, you will find a miscellaneous assortment of grant opportunities.  If you have questions about grant eligibility, please direct inquiries to the organization listed in this email. Also, the Jane Walker grant is not from the State of Maryland.

Grant Opportunities

• Jane Walker – IFW First Women Grant Program – Originally launching the program with 15 grants, Jane Walker will now be matching the program and funding an additional 15 groundbreaking women-owned businesses through the end of the year. Together with a network of powerful icons, businesses will be selected across Entertainment & Film, Music, Sports, Journalism, STEM and Hospitality, all on their journey towards a monumental first. Each recipient will receive a $10K grant plus a one-year IFundWomen Annual Coaching Membership. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through October 2021. Learn more here.
• IFundWomen Universal Grant Application – When IFundWomen brokers a grant with a partner, they match the partner’s grant criteria to those businesses who have applied through their Universal Grant Application. If you’re a match, they may request that you apply for that partner’s specific grant program, and you will be notified.  Learn more here.       
• Grant Relief for On-Boarding Workers (GROW) is a wage subsidy program for businesses that hire new workers.  The percentage of the subsidy is based on the size of the business.  We wanted you to be among the very first to learn of the program, which went LIVE Tuesday afternoon, for you to help spread awareness to entities you believe could benefit.  We can receive applications on the WorkSource Montgomery website.  The website also has additional information about the program, as well as the streamlined application process including just a few requirements.  

Grants for Not-For-Profits

• She Angels Foundation Grant – She Angels Foundation awards grants ranging from $3-10k to female founded and operated non-profit organizations that provide mentorship, funding, training, and advancement resources to girls and women.  Learn more here by clicking on “grants”.
• Patagonia Corporate Grant Program – The corporate grant program at Patagonia gives between $10,000 and $20,000 of funding to innovative nonprofit organizations that work to preserve and protect the environment.  Learn more here.
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) – Community Action Grants provide funding to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as community-based nonprofits for innovative programs that promote education and equity through projects focused on encouraging girls to select, before entering college, the physical sciences or engineering as a career. Grants range from $3K to $10K.  Applications open on August 1, 2021 and close on December 1, 2021.  Learn more here.  

Grants for Black Artists

• YouTube Black Voices Fund  – Beginning June 21, 2021, applications will open for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2022. If you identify as a Black creator, artist, or songwriter/producer, looking to further build your voice on YouTube and make an impact, we want to hear from you. If selected, you receive resources and seed funding. Applications for the Fund will be open from Monday, June 21st through July 9th, 2021.  (Note: This fund is for Black creators, artists and songwriters/producers, located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States.)  Learn more here.

Grants for Indigenous Peoples 

• Henry Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship 2022 – First Nations will award 10 fellowships of $75,000 each to 10 outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that benefits Indigenous people and communities. The fellowship is a two-year, self-directed enrichment program designed to support the process of growth, development, knowledge and networks of Native leaders and thinkers. The fellowships supports the work of Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers as they significantly advance their work and spark transformative change in their communities. Applications are due by July 13, 2021.  Learn more here.                                    

Grants to Support Continuing Education

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) – Career Development Grants – For women pursuing a certificate or degree to advance their careers, change careers, or reenter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences and whose bachelor’s degree was received at least eight years before the award period.  Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Grants range between $2K and $12K.  Applications open August 1, 2021 and close November 15, 2021.  Learn more here. 

Venture Funding

• Astia  – Astia is a nonprofit founded in 1999 that works to identify and invest in high-potential women-owned startups. It uses a review system based on personal referrals to find, prioritize, and reward the right female entrepreneurs. The organization operates globally with locations in SF, London, and NYC. Learn more here. 

Please note:  The State of Maryland (MD Labor) does not have affiliations with any of these organizations.  Any specific questions about grant eligibility should be directed to contacts on their websites

Funding Opportunities

• Dream Big Awards – Offers a $25,000 cash prize to the Small Business of the Year winner. The application deadline is July 16, 2021. You can apply for the awards as a small business or be referred by a local Chamber of Commerce or trade organization. Learn more here.  
• Nav’s Small Business Grant – Nav, a loan and credit card matching service has a 2021 round of grants to help small businesses. The grand prize winner receives a $10,000 grant and the runner-up received $5,000. Applications are open through May 31, 2021. Learn more here.  
• GoFundMe Small Business Relief matching grant – The GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund will provide micro-grants to qualifying small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19.  If your business raises up to $500, you can get a $500 match from the fund.  Learn more here.
• Black Founder Startup Grant – SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio, and other sponsors to provide $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs.   Applications are rolling – more info can be found here.
• Black Restaurant Accelerator Program – In partnership with PepsiCo Foundation, the National Urban League through its 12 Entrepreneurship Centers in cities across the U.S., has launched the Black Restaurant Accelerator Program (BRAP).  The Program will provide direct grant assistance grants to 500 businesses, and technical assistance, including entrepreneurial coaching.  Must be Black-owned food service company located in in the service area of a National Urban League Entrepreneurship Center in one of the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; New Orleans, LA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington DC. Learn more here. 
• Digital Undivided Fellowship  – The Do You Fellowship Program will award 10 promising Black and Latinx women innovators with a $5,000 investment in their business and access to unparalleled resources and mentorship necessary to develop their businesses. To learn more and register to be notified when the applications are available, click here.
• Black Girl Ventures Pitch Competition – The BGV Pitch Competition is crowdfunding meets pitch competition. Each founder has 3 minutes to pitch and a 3 minute Q&A from the audience. Learn more here. 
• For Artists – Artwork Archive’s Art Business Accelerator Grant –  awards visual artists with 10 cash grants of $2,500 each. This grant gives artists an unrestricted cash grant, six weeks of self-guided online educational resources and one-on-one expert career guidance. The 2021 grant cycle is open March 1, 2021 – May 14, 2021  Learn more here. 

Award Opportunity

• Citizen Awards – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has opened nominations for its annual Citizens Awards, which includes a category for small business.  (Looks like this is an award in name only – no financial award) Deadline to submit is June 25, 2021.  Learn more here. 

Other Resources

• Leniency from credit card companies – Many credit card companies have released statements announcing that they’ll be giving COVID-19 relief for small businesses. They’re doing this by waiving service fees for 30 days, or offering other types of disaster relief assistance. Be sure to check with your bank or credit card company to find out if they are offering any special services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Questions about PPP Loans?   The SBA will continue to accept PPP loan applications until May 31, 2021.  This US Chamber webpage has some great info on this page about “23 Frequently Asked PPP loan questions”.     
• The US Chamber also has a section of their website devoted to “saving small business”.  Some great resources and funding opportunities are mentioned here.  

2021 Child Care Relief Fund Grant Application (now accepting applications) The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides $10 billion in much-needed direct pandemic-related relief for the child care sector. These funds can be used to support providers facing reduced enrollment and increased costs of serving children safely, reduce family co-payments, pay staff salaries, provide care for the children of essential workers regardless of income, support costs related to reopening, and more. MSDE is pleased to provide the Child Care Pandemic Relief Fund Grant application to all operating child care programs in Maryland.  https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-relief-funds-grant  Hotel and Motel Grants (Anne Arundel County Only) Grant opens on 2/19/2021 Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) is able to disburse $5 million from the State of Maryland to fund grant applications from hospitality businesses such as hotels, inns, and bed and-breakfast establishments.  https://www.aaedc.org/business/financing-and-tax-credits/hotel-relief-grant/ Nav’s Small Business Grant –  between January 19th and March 8th   Up to $10,000 to take your business to the next level. Submit entries between January 19th and March 8th for your chance to win.https://www.nav.com/business-grant-contest/Each quarter,  Nav offers a $10,000 small business grantto help them solve a business problem or take their business to the next level. Health Care Quality Accounts Grants Program The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) seeks applications for grants for projects designed to improve the quality of care provided to residents in nursing homes and/or assisted living facilities.  https://health.maryland.gov/ohcq/Pages/Grants.aspx FedEx Small Business Grant Contest (2/16/2021 to 3/9/2021) Running a small business isn’t easy. And in 2020, it was as difficult as it’s ever been. What could you do with $50,000 for your small business? This year, the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is offering over $250,000 in cash and prizes to 12 winners. Entering is a great opportunity to gain exposure for your business and connect with your community and your fans – and winning could help write the next chapter of your story. Start thinking about how you want to tell your story: What do you want to share about your business? What could a grant help you accomplish? https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html

Maryland RELIEF Act Support for Businesses

Frequently Asked Questions: PPP-FAQs-3.12.21.pdf (sba.gov)

How to Calculate First Draw Loans: How to Calculate First Draw PPP Loan Amounts (sba.gov)

How to Calculate Second Draw Loans: HowtoCalculateSecondDrawFAQs-3.12.21.pdf (sba.gov)

Maryland RELIEF Act Support for Businesses

With the passage of the RELIEF act of 2021 by the Maryland General Assembly, new COVID-19 relief will soon be made available for certain Maryland businesses through the Maryland Department of Commerce. They anticipate accepting initial applications for the new funding in mid-March and will update their website as details about these Commerce programs become available.  The funding will be targeted toward certain groups of businesses including: 

• $10 million for businesses who do not collect sales tax and can demonstrate a need for assistance
• $500,000 for businesses seeking to set up online sales or help employees telework 
• $10 million for small, minority and women-owned businesses 
• $8 million for private commuter bus operators and local transit systems

 Visit the business resources website for additional funding available and the latest information. 

New forgiveness forms for PPP for <$150
Roderick L. Johnson, U.S. Small Business Administration Washington Metropolitan Area District Office