COVID Relief + Grant Opportunities
Setting Yourself Up For Success
It’s been almost a year since the pandemic completely changed our way of life and how we do business. And navigating the flood of resources that emerged to offer relief has felt both overwhelming and out of reach. So we’ve broken down some tips to help make looking for COVID relief more manageable and attainable.
Be aware, but intentional
Raising your awareness of what’s out there is definitely important (that’s why we’ve pulled a list of opportunities below!) —but before you go out and apply for every grant and program under the sun — ask yourself — this the right fit for me and my business?
Prioritize
If you’re a creative entrepreneur, then you know your time is precious. Within the span of an hour you might be CEO, CFO, social media manager, head of sales, and full-time parent/teacher. As you come across new resources and opportunities, do a cost-benefit analysis. Ask yourself — is this worth my time?
Give yourself enough time to prepare
OK so you’ve decided an opportunity is right for you, and is definitely worth your time. Great! Now give yourself the time you need to prepare. Many of the opportunities that are out there require lengthy applications and supporting documentation like financial statements. Plus, a lot of them operate on a first-come first-served basis for a limited amount of funds. Be kind to yourself and don’t wait until right before the deadline to start your application.
Keep your finances and documents in order
The easiest way to get your finances ready to apply for funding is to stay ready. Take stock of where you are with organizing your financials. Do you work with an accountant or a bookkeeper? Do you regularly prepare annual financial statements for your business? Are you keeping current with filing your taxes? There is no shame in being exactly where you are in your creative entrepreneur journey. Ask yourself - what is my next step for getting - and keeping - my finances in order?
Preparing Your Financials + Documents
Talk to your accountant!
Your accountant is a lifeline when it comes to getting your financials together and helping you make informed decisions. If you’re looking at pursuing relief funding for your business, talk to your accountant and let them know so they can advise you and help you prepare. Don’t have an accountant? Baltimore Cash Campaign is offering low-cost tax prep for small business owners. You can sign up here. We also recommend checking out the Accountants of Color directory, Startup Portal and Baltimore Fiscal Partners.Prep Your 2020 Financial Statements
Review Your 2019 and 2018 Financial Statements
Gather Your 2019 + 2020 Payroll Documentation
Gather Your 2019 + 2020 Tax Documents
If You’re Applying for City and State grants:Make sure your business is in good standing with the State of Maryland.
You can lookup your business’s status here and learn more about how to fix your status here.
If you’re applying for Federal grants:
Register your business for a DUNS # (Dunn & Bradstreet)
Register your business for SAM (System for Awards Management)
Federal Relief Programs
Paycheck Protection Program
Forgivable low-interest loans to support payroll related expenses
Deadline: March 31
Who can apply: Small businesses, sole proprietors, and independent contractors in business prior to February 15, 2020. First time applicants and businesses who applied or received PPP funding in 2020 welcomed.
Where You Can Apply & Get Support:- Your Bank
- Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) - Email Karla Posada for more information.
- Baltimore Community Lending – Call 410.727.8590 for assistance.
- The Opportunity Fund -
Created in partnership with the Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund - The Opportunity Fund specializes in working with sole proprietors and micro-enterprises. Email pppteam@opportunityfund.org or call 866-714-1626 for assistance.
Take note: PPP recently made changes that improves the funding formula for sole proprietors and the self-employed and expands eligibility to include non-citizens with ITINs as well as business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, and those who have struggled to pay back federal student loans.
Shuttered Venue Operator Grants
Up to $10M in grants
Who can apply: Live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, Live performing arts organization operators, Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria, Motion picture theater operators, Talent representatives, and, Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements. Applicants must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
Where You Can Apply + Get Support: Applications go live on April 8. Learn more about how to prepare and apply here. You will need a DUNS number and a SAM account to apply.
Take note: Congress recently passed an update that now allows you to apply for both SVO and PPP.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Low-interest Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and nonprofits. Learn more here.
Local Relief Programs
BGE Energizing Small Business Grants
$20,000 grants for Maryland small businesses with 2+ employees. Next Deadline: March 3. Apply here.
Black Futures Microgrant #bmoreHERstory Video Contest
Are you a Black Woman-Led organization serving in Great Baltimore? Enter to win $1000 in no-strings attached funding from CLLCTIVLY's #bmoreHERstory Black Futures Micro-grant Video Contest. Apply here.
Downtown BOOST
Downtown storefront space, technical support and up to $50K in funding for Black-owned businesses. Deadline extended: March 31. Apply here.
Maryland Relief Act of 2021
The RELIEF Act of 2021 provides direct stimulus payments to qualifying Marylanders, unemployment insurance grants to qualifying Marylanders, grants and loans to qualifying small businesses, as well as tax credits. Learn more here.
Maryland State Arts Council Emergency Grants
Emergency grants for arts organizations and independent artists. Artists are eligible to apply for grants of $3000. Arts organizations can apply for a range of funding amounts. Deadline April 1. Apply here.
Other Opportunities
Actos de Confianza Microgrants
NALAC will distribute $2,500 grants to Latinx artists and cultural workers and $5,000 grants to Latinx arts organizations facing critical financial emergencies due to the impact of COVID-19. Deadline: March 31. Apply here.
Amber Grants
The Amber Grant awards $10K every month and $25K every year to women founders. Apply here.
Artist Relief
$5000 grants for artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19. Next Deadline March 31. Apply here.
Black Founder Start-up Grant
SoGal Ventures - a venture capital firm that seeks out and invests in female CEOs is awarding $5,000 & $10,000 grants to Black Women and Nonbinary founders. This application is rolling, with new grantees awarded at the end of each month. Apply here.
Comcast RISE
Marketing, creative, media, and technology services for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses. Apply here.
FedEx® Small Business Grant Contest
$250,000 in cash and prizes to 12 winners. Open for Entries February 16 - March 9. Apply here.
Jane Walker x iFundWomen
15 groundbreaking women-owned businesses will be selected across the Entertainment & Film, Music, Sports, Journalism and Hospitality industries to receive a $10K grant plus a one-year Annual Coaching Membership on IFundWomen. Apply here.
Kiva
Kiva offers 0% interest loans up to $15,000 through crowdfunding. Learn more here.
Recover, Rebuild and Resilience
The 1863 Ventures 3Rs Program is dedicated to helping Black business owners grow and scale during the current pandemic and continued racial unrest. The goal is to help as many Black businesses as possible navigate the short term uncertainty in the markets. Including $500K in grants rewards to be distributed. Apply here through June 2021.Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Small Business Growth & Recovery Fund
Grants up to $20,000 + mentorship for U.S. small businesses. Deadline March 19. Apply here.