Marin Microbusinesses Eligible For $2,500 Grants

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin County businesses with fewer than five full-time employees are eligible for $2,500 grants, the county announced Monday.

The Marin Microbusiness Grant Program is funded by the State of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate, or CalOSBA. It is administered through a partnership between Marin County, the Marin Small Business Development Center, and Dominican University of California, according to a county news release. The program will distribute 105 grants. A lottery system will be employed if there are more than 105 eligible applications.

Businesses will receive tax-free grants that do not need to be repaid. Funds must be used for business-related expenses like business-related debt, new equipment, cost from business interruptions, or more.

Any Marin business is eligible to apply if:

• It is located in Marin
• It has been in business since December 2019
• It made less than $50,000 gross revenue in 2019
• It is serving as the owner’s primary source of income
• It was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
• It is currently open or plans to reopen
• It has less than five full-time equivalent employees
• It did not receive a California grant through Lendistry

Eligible businesses can include independent contractors like artists, musicians, childcare providers, construction workers, food vendors, handymen, hair stylists, gardeners, landscapers, and more. Business owners do not need to be U.S. citizens to apply, and do not need to provide a tax return in the application.

The first rounds of applications are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and are available from May 23 through June 30. The application period will remain open until all funds are distributed.

Online informational sessions will take place at noon Wednesday and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8.

See here to apply or for more information, or call 415-482-1819, or email [email protected].