Grants in California

Overview

Under the RivCo Small Business Thrive Program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Economic Recovery initiative, eligible business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the county can receive grants and microloans to start or expand businesses.

Grants

• Amount: $1,500 to $5,000

• Purpose: Start new businesses or expand existing ones

• Eligibility Criteria:

o Completion of small business training program

o Participation in one-on-one consultations by OCIE SBDC

o Attendance of Financial Literacy webinar by AmPac Business Capital

Microloans

• Amount: Up to $50,000

• Target: Small businesses with fewer than five employees

• Interest Rate: 6.5%

• Term: 5 years

• Payment: No payments for the first 6 months

• Fees: Financed into the loan

Required Documentation

• Payroll records showing existing payroll

• Certification of accuracy of presented information

• Most recent year's business and personal tax returns

• 2019 financial statements (balance sheet/income statement)

• Statement demonstrating COVID-19 impact (checklist provided)

• Proof of 25% or more profit loss due to COVID-19 from January 31, 2020, to the application date

• Business owner meets income limit (80% Median Income)

Income Limits (as of 07/01/2020)

• 1 person/household: $42,200

• 2 persons/household: $48,200

• 3 persons/household: $54,250

• 4 persons/household: $60,250

• 5 persons/household: $65,100

• 6 persons/household: $69,100

• 7 persons/household: $74,750

• 8 persons/household: $79,550

Overview

Sand Hill Foundation supports nonprofit organizations within its focus areas, emphasizing strong leadership, visionary plans, and continuous learning. The foundation prioritizes local giving, focusing on San Mateo County and nearby areas within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Focus Areas

Sand Hill Foundation funds programs in San Mateo County that help youth and families with low-income stabilize, grow, and thrive through:

• Education: College access and completion programs for youth and young adults aged 11-25.

• Job Training and Entrepreneurship: Creating career pathways through vocational and entrepreneurship training, and access to capital for small businesses.

• Housing Security: Housing preservation, shelter and rapid rehousing, and legal services to prevent homelessness.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, organizations must:

• Work within the Foundation's stated areas of focus, primarily serving San Mateo County in the San Francisco Bay Area.

• Be tax-exempt.

Preference is given to nonprofits that:

• Dedicate 50% or more of their efforts towards the people of San Mateo County.

• Operate programs aligned with the Foundation's focus areas in Daly City, South San Francisco, Redwood City/North Fair Oaks, and the Coastside, serving families with low-income.

• Incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives with demonstrable cultural competence.

• Provide high-quality programs as trusted community resources.

• Focus on youth aged 11-25 and their families navigating life with limited financial means.

Application Process

Sand Hill Foundation accepts and reviews applications on a rolling basis. Staff will follow up within a month after the application submission.

Additional Information

• Sand Hill Foundation Focus Areas - https://sandhillfoundation.org/focus-areas/opportunity/

• General Information - http://www.sandhillfoundation.org/grantmaking/

• Eligibility Guidelines - https://sandhillfoundation.org/grantmaking/eligibility-guidelines/

• Apply Online - https://pfs.smartsimple.us/welcome/Sandhill/

Contact

Grants Manager: Jennifer Perez Brown

 Email: jennifer@sandhillfoundation.org

 Phone: 415.561.6540 ext 255

General Inquiries: Rose Brookhouse

 Email: rbroohouse@pfs-llc.net

 Phone: 415.561.6540

Address

Sand Hill Foundation

3000 Sand Hill Road, 4-130

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Phone: 650.854.9310

Fax: 650.854.8031

Overview

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is currently accepting applications for the Large Landscape Grant Program (LLGP). This program provides funding to retail water service customers for projects aimed at achieving significant and permanent reductions in potable water use for landscape irrigation. By retrofitting existing irrigation systems and landscapes, applicants can improve outdoor water efficiency or convert to SFPUC recycled water supply.

Focus Area

The LLGP focuses on funding projects that:

• Retrofit existing, irrigated landscapes between 10,000 to 375,000 square feet in size.

• Implement improvements such as replacing irrigation components, installing weather-based controllers, and converting to drought-tolerant plants.

• Convert irrigation systems to accept SFPUC recycled water, adhering to Title 22 guidelines.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the LLGP, applicants must:

• Be institutional, industrial, residential, or commercial entities.

• Currently water an existing landscape with an irrigation system and receive a water bill directly from SFPUC (not for resale).

• Have a project that meets all LLGP criteria, including a 50% match requirement for Landscape Water Efficiency Projects.

Ineligibility

The LLGP does not fund:

• Projects that do not meet the size criteria (10,000 to 375,000 square feet).

• Projects that do not achieve the required water savings within two years.

• Projects requiring funding for construction, alteration, or repair at sites other than single-family homes without complying with prevailing wage and reporting requirements.

Preference

Preference is given to projects that:

• Achieve substantial water savings and efficiency improvements.

• Demonstrate a clear plan for maintaining water-saving goals over time.

Contacts

• Email: landscape@sfwater.org

• Phone: (415) 551-4730

• Address: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Water Resources Division, Attn: Large Landscape Grant Program, 525 Golden Gate Ave, 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102

Applications are accepted continuously, subject to fund availability for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Applicants must submit a complete application package including project plans, budget, and water savings calculations to initiate the review process. Successful applicants receive a Reservation Letter, and upon approval, execute a Grant Agreement to begin project implementation.

For more details on eligibility requirements and application procedures, visit the -https://www.sfpuc.org/sites/default/files/documents/Large_Landscape_Program_Rules_FY%2023_24.pdf

Overview

Sand Hill Foundation aims to create seamless and equitable opportunities to access high-quality mental health and wellness supports in San Mateo County through three main areas:

• Prevention and Early Intervention: Expanding access to culturally responsive and supportive mental health services and social-emotional programming tailored to the needs of young people and their families.

• Systems Change in Mental Health: Building partnerships across the mental health care system in San Mateo County to make delivery more equitable, integrated, coordinated, and healing-centered.

• Access to Nature: Enhancing access to the restorative properties of time outdoors through environmental education and family-focused, nature-based programs.

How to Apply

Proposals are accepted at any time of the year and reviewed on a rolling basis. The application process is streamlined to facilitate easy submission.

• Application Submission

o Proposals can be submitted online through - https://pfs.smartsimple.us/welcome/Sandhill/

o Before applying, review the guidelines and application overview for the relevant program area.

o For questions or pre-submission discussions, contact Grants Manager Jennifer Perez Brown at jennifer@sandhillfoundation.org or at 415.561.6540 ext 255.

• Internal Process

o The board and staff meet monthly to review proposals, except in December.

o Decisions are typically made within two months, with a possible in-person or virtual site visit.

o Renewal applications are welcome at the close of the prior 12-month grant period. Requests needed before December 31 should be received by October 31.

Eligibility

• Organizations must:

o Be tax-exempt.

o Primarily serve San Mateo County, with at least 50% of efforts dedicated to the area.

o Operate programs aligned with the foundation's focus areas in Daly City, South San Francisco, Redwood City/North Fair Oaks, and the Coastside.

o Incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives and demonstrate cultural competence.

o Provide high-quality programs and focus on youth aged 11-25 and their families with limited financial means.

Funding Preferences

• Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000.

• Funding is provided for programs, capacity building, and general support.

• Many grants are multi-year.

• Emphasis is on projects that promote mental and emotional health and well-being.

Contacts

• General Inquiries:

o Sand Hill Foundation

o 3000 Sand Hill Road, 4-130

o Menlo Park, CA 94025

o Phone: 650.854.9310

o Fax: 650.854.8031

• Technical Questions:

o Rose Brookhouse at rbroohouse@pfs-llc.net or 415.561.6540.

Additional Information

• Focus Areas - https://sandhillfoundation.org/focus-areas/

• General Information - https://sandhillfoundation.org/grantmaking/

• Eligibility Guidelines - https://sandhillfoundation.org/grantmaking/eligibility-guidelines/

For detailed guidance and to begin the application process, visit - https://pfs.smartsimple.us/welcome/Sandhill/