FUNDING: Grants, Loans, etc.
This year, Progressive is dedicating $1 million to award 20 deserving businesses with a $50,000 grant each. Grant recipients will also be invited to attend an exclusive 12-week virtual Boost Camp coaching program, designed to equip business owners with the tools and resources to help them achieve their growth objectives. Applications are open through June 14, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET.
To qualify for the grant program, you must:
• Be an entrepreneur who is the leading executive of a for-profit business located and registered in one of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia; excluding U.S. Territories;
• Have 10 or fewer employees and less than $5M in annual gross revenue;
• Have a demonstrated need for a qualifying commercial vehicle to run your business and a clear plan for growth as a result of this vehicle purchase;
• Not be an independent contractor whose primary business is for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft, or third-party food delivery such as UberEats, DoorDash, PostMates, Grubhub, Instacart, etc. No purchase necessary. 18+, U.S. only. For official rules and how to enter, see the Terms and Conditions and FAQ. Apply by clicking here.
Could your business use more funds to grow? Accion Opportunity Fund is here to help! A working capital loan up to $250,000 can be used for purchasing equipment, inventory, hiring new staff, advertising, and much more. Click here to see if a working capital loan is right for you.
Los Angeles County’s Department of Economic Opportunity unveiled a $4.1 million grant program for Small and Micro Businesses in LA County affected by COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood Double Strikes. Visit For more information click here. Or visit grants.lacounty.gov to learn more and apply today!
Got a big idea for your small business? California Small Business Loan Match empowers entrepreneurs like you through responsible lending. Are you a small business owner looking for a good loan to grow your business? Let California Small Business Loan Match connect you with more than 20 pre-vetted, mission-driven lenders with loans you can trust, at no-cost. We’re powered by IBank, the state government agency helping to promote a healthy economic climate and improving quality of life in California communities. Get started in less than 10 minutes with a brief pre-application and no credit check required! Find funding by clicking here.
LISC LA’s Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) program was created to help small businesses owned by people of color in Los Angeles County grow their companies, build wealth, and create or maintain jobs. In partnership with LISC LA, Inclusive Action for the City is offering eligible business owners loan capital from $5,000 to $30,000 to support with the acquisition of machinery, equipment, and/or inventory.
The HerRise MicroGrants, offering $1,000 each, are open to women of color entrepreneurs across diverse fields. Your business must be 51% owned by women of color; Currently registered in the US; Less than $1 million in gross revenue. https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/ for more information.
The Kitty Fund makes small micro-investments in Moms who are running employer-based small businesses with two or more employees. The $25,000 fund will make investments to 25 Mom business owners in the form of $1,000 micro-grants. https://foundersfirstcdc.org/kitty-fund for more info.
The Los Angeles County Rent Relief Program will provide over $46 million in direct financial assistance to qualified landlords to help mitigate the negative economic impacts of the pandemic that have left many tenants behind on rent.
The Rent Relief Program will offer grants of up to $30,000 per unit to eligible landlords for expenses dating from April 1, 2022, to the present. The program is specifically designed with a focus on helping small, mom-and-pop landlords who own up to four rental units. Its goal is to reduce tenant evictions due to rent arrears, maintain the viability of small-scale rental businesses, and ensure availability of affordable housing in LA County.
Landlords can apply for the LA County Rent Relief Program beginning in mid-December. The application process will be easy and straightforward, and applicants will receive free multilingual technical support from community partners to guide them through the process and assist with gathering the necessary documentation.
To receive program updates and be notified when the online application opens, register today at lacountyrentrelief.com.
Jewish Free Loan Association: Small Business loans up to $36,000 are available, with 2 guarantors.
Eligibility:
· Applicants must be permanent residents of Los Angeles or Ventura county.
· Applicants must have credit scores of 680 or better, demonstrate need, and have the ability to repay the loan.
· Two guarantors with good credit and steady income are required on each loan up to $36,000.
· Applicant must submit required documentation, by email, to JFLA prior to a virtual interview.
· Each applicant presents individual circumstances to be considered by Jewish Free Loan.
Must be a for-profit business. Apply Here
Webinars, Seminars, etc.
The San Gabriel Valley Area Chamber Executives are collaborating to bring a FREE series of webinars to our members.
The Chambers of Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Baldwin Park, Claremont, El Monte/South El Monte, Glendora, Greater West Covina, Monrovia, Pomona, Regional Chamber (Walnut/Diamond Bar), Rosemead, San Dimas, San Gabiel, South Pasadena, Temple City and Whittier Area are presenting Renewal and Resilience: Navigating the Future of Business in 2024.
The webinars are free and open to the public. Attendance is limited, so sign up right away by clicking here.
From the Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center (https://pccsbdc.org/workshops):
Vanquish the Villains on your Hero’s Journey - Jun 12 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Webinar – PCC
As an entrepreneur or executive, you are the hero in your business’ narrative, even though it may not always feel like it. When your energy is low and you’re approaching burnout, it’s hard to feel like the triumphant CEO that has it all together. But, here’s a secret: Even the greatest heroes of all time need help! In this session, Aleya steps into the role of your guide to walk through the stages of the hero’s journey and the common pitfalls that present at each stage. She’ll reveal her tried-and-true strategies for overcoming the “villains” in one’s journey and keep… Find out more »
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS SBDC https://cocsbdc.org/workshops/
Webinar – Finding Funding Jun 5 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Webinar – COC Free
Explore a variety of funding types for your business including disaster assistance related. Capital is critical for all businesses. The type of business, your capital needs, and additional factors may influence what you explore, along with the current climate. There are many types of capital including owner investment, profit reinvestment, loans from a bank, loans from an alternative financial resources(non-banks), equipment financing, tax credits, supplier credit, credit lines, equity lines, Angel Investors, Venture Capital Investors, money invested by family &…Find out more »
Webinar – AVTA and SBDC Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Outreach and Training Jun 5 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Webinar – COC Free
Come and join the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to learn about resources available to help your business prepare, explore and pursue Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) procurement opportunities. The goal is to help the Small Business Community participate in the local economy where local businesses can provide their services and/or supplies to the AVTA for a contract or other procurement opportunity. Opportunity examples include construction, specialty contractors, manufacturing, digital signage, wholesalers, furniture, architectural services, landscaping…Find out more »
Webinar – Writing for Fun, Profit and to Promote Jun 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
Victor Benoun is an entrepreneur, speaker and author, having been published by traditional publishers as well as being self-published. He has used his writing as a means to promote his company and business as well as to create an additional revenue source. We hope you will join us for this content rich webinar. In this webinar you will learn: The number one road block that stops new authors in their tracks from achieving their dreams of writing a… Find out more »
Webinar – Tips for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Ads Jun 6 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Webinar – COC Free
If you have ever thought about writing, publishing and marketing a book on Kindle, this webinar will show you where to begin and how to maneuver though the Kindle Platform, how to publish and market your book. REGISTER NOW
Webinar – WAVE Introduction Jun 6 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Webinar – COC Free
WAVE Introduction: This webinar is aimed at individuals who are not from a financial background and wish to gain some understanding of WAVE's features, along with basic accounting concepts. We will cover how to navigate the tool, make configurations, and briefly introduce the main menu options. Our primary focus will be to build trust and help you feel more confident while using the tool. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – Explore Starting Your Home Based Business Jun 12 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
This informational Webinar, will give you a good overview of what it takes to Start Your Own Home-Based Business. Having this knowledge will nurture your dream of being self-employed and doing what you want to do in life. From selecting a business and getting it registered to how to balance your home life with our work life, this introduction will help you move forward towards entrepreneurship! REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – Tax Considerations for Home-based Small Businesses Jun 12 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Webinar – COC Free
Operating a home-based small business and need some tax related tips/guidelines? The webinar covers tax considerations for a sole proprietorship, LLC and S-Corporation. Highlighted topics will include: Special Business Expense Deductions Self-employment Taxes Quarterly Estimated Taxes and More Come ready with your questions. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – QuickBooks Online Introduction Jun 13 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Webinar – COC Free
Webinar - QuickBooks Online Introduction This webinar is aimed at individuals who are not from a financial background and wish to gain some understanding of QuickBooks Online's features, along with basic accounting concepts. We will cover how to navigate the tool, make configurations, and briefly introduce the main menu options. Our primary focus will be to build trust and help you feel more confident while using the tool. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – Fundamentals of Food Businesses Jun 19 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
Fundamentals of Food Businesses gives an overview on the various food business models. From Cottage Food Law (which allows preparing approved foods at home) to full-service restaurants and everything in between. This webinar will allow attendees to explore their ideas and think about different business models for their food business dream, and show steps to each with easily explained phases. Presented by Kevin McVearry, Business Advisor with the SBDC since 2012, with over 25 years of experience opening and operating…Find out more »
Webinar – WAVE Common Transactions Jun 20 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Webinar – COC Free
WAVE - Common Transactions This webinar is designed for those who do not have a financial background but have attended our introductory webinar. We will use simple examples to demonstrate how to manage basic business transactions such as invoicing, purchasing, importing, and reconciling bank transactions. Our main goal is to help you feel more comfortable and confident when using the tool by building trust. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act Jun 26 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – QuickBooks Online – Common Transactions Jun 27 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Webinar – COC Free
QUICKBOOKS ONLINE - Common Transactions This webinar is designed for those who do not have a financial background but have attended our introductory webinar. We will use simple examples to demonstrate how to manage basic business transactions such as invoicing, purchasing, importing, and reconciling bank transactions. Our main goal is to help you feel more comfortable and confident when using the tool by building trust. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
July 2024
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act Jul 24 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
August 2024
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act Aug 28 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
Webinar – AVTA and SBDC Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Outreach and Training Aug 29 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Webinar – COC Free
Come and join the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to learn about resources available to help your business prepare, explore and pursue Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) procurement opportunities. The goal is to help the Small Business Community participate in the local economy where local businesses can provide their services and/or supplies to the AVTA for a contract or other procurement opportunity. Opportunity examples include construction, specialty contractors, manufacturing, digital signage, wholesalers, furniture, architectural services, landscaping…Find out more »
September 2024
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act -Sep 25 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm -Webinar – COC Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
October 2024
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act Oct 30 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
November 2024
Webinar – AVTA and SBDC Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Outreach and Training - Nov 13 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Webinar – COC Free
Come and join the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to learn about resources available to help your business prepare, explore and pursue Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) procurement opportunities. The goal is to help the Small Business Community participate in the local economy where local businesses can provide their services and/or supplies to the AVTA for a contract or other procurement opportunity. Opportunity examples include construction, specialty contractors, manufacturing, digital signage, wholesalers, furniture, architectural services, landscaping… Find out more »
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act - Nov 20 @ 12:00 pm - :00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »
December 2024
Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act - Dec 18 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Webinar – COC -Free
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW Find out more »