Current
Loans & Grants
COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program
On September 9, 2021, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the following major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
- Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap. The SBA will lift the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.
- Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period. The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.
- Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure main street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA will implement a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 will begin after the 30-day period.
- Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds. COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.
- Simplification of affiliation requirements. To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
To learn about eligibility and application requirements and how to apply, visit sba.gov/eidl. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All eligible applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Portal
Paycheck Protection Program borrowers: If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below.
- Find out if your lender is participating.
- Watch a video about how to use the portal.
- Apply for forgiveness.
For additional information, visit the SBA website.
The Small Business Flex Fund
A flexible low-interest loan program for Washington State's smallest businesses and nonprofits. Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Small Business Flex Fund pairs applicants with nonprofit, community-based lenders who provide help through every step of the loan process.
- Low rate
- Easy application
- Flexible working capital
- Loans of up to $150,000
- Fewer than 50 employees
- Revenue less than $3 million
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund
Applications for The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch are open now in collaboration with Hello Alice. Starting July 13, 2021, eligible, multicultural small business owners can apply to The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch. Twenty-five recipients will each receive a $10,000 grant, plus mentorship with Carin Luna-Ostaseski, the founder of SIA Scotch Whisky and a first-generation Cuban American entrepreneur who overcame a myriad of challenges during her entrepreneurship journey. Apply and share with us how a grant would grow your business and help you achieve the unexpected.
- July 13, 2021 – Applications open 9:00AM ET
- August 10, 2021 – Applications close 6:00PM ET
- September 2 to 14, 2021 – Grant recipients notified and announced
- October 8, 2021 – Grant recipients receive funds
Community Connect Grant
The Seattle Times is launching a grant program to support underrepresented local businesses with a total of $300,000 in marketing and advertising services. Six qualifying businesses will be awarded $50,000 each in Seattle Times advertising, including print or digital advertising, plus research and marketing consultation at no cost. Businesses of various sizes and nonprofits are invited to apply. For more, visit the website.
Help for small businesses in unincorporated King County
Has your business been hurt by COVID-19? We have a new program to help small businesses in unincorporated King County. The program includes grant money, language support, and technical assistance to help you apply for other funds and services. For more information, visit the King County Local Business Help webpage. For more information, including in-language details, click here(PDF, 800KB) or see below.
Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 and the money can be spent flexibly, including on payroll, utilities & rent, supplies, marketing & advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses.
NEA American Rescue Plan grants:
The NEA is currently accepting proposals for the American Rescue Plan. Nonprofit organizations with at least a three-year history of arts programming are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $150,000 general operations funds.
The Endowment is actively seeking first-time applicants in communities across the country. Access the NEA's applicant resources and guidelines for the grants.
NAACP grants:
Bacardi and the NAACP have teamed up to help Black-owned businesses in the hospitality and alcohol sales industries. Hosted by Hello Alice, the Backing the B.A.R. (Black-Owned Accounts & Retailers) Acceleration Grant is an initiative that will provide $10,000 grants and business support to qualified small business owners.
Through this initiative, 35 recipients will receive a grant as well as financial, educational, or mentorship support to help take their business to the next level. Whether you’re an established business or an owner looking to get a liquor license for the first time, Backing the B.A.R. wants to accelerate your business into the future.
To apply and learn more: visit the Hello Alice, NAACP Community page
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program: Now accepting applications. This program was included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will soon have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. In total, the Economic Aid Act allocates $15 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants. Learn more about this SBA grant opportunity on the SBA website.
Black Founder Startup Grant
SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, and other sponsors to make a small step towards progress by providing several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs. Visit the Black Founder Startup Grant webpage for details on how to apply.
Community Grants through the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation
Umpqua Bank, through the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation, has evolved its community giving strategy and Community Grants program to reflect a deeper commitment to improving economic prosperity, especially for under-resourced individuals, families, and small businesses. For more information on this opportunity, visit the Umpqua Bank webpage.
Nonprofit Community Recovery (NCR) Grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to partner with ArtsFund to administer over $10 million in Nonprofit Community Recovery (NCR) grants. This recovery grant opportunity opened the week of May 10.
SBA Cross-Program Eligibility
The chart below indicates the effect that receipt of funding from a federal relief programs has on a business’s eligibility for other federal relief programs. More information on this can be found at the following link: SBA cross-program eligibility: PPP, EIDL, RRF, SVOG
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Paycheck
Protection Program
Applicant
|
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applicant
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COVID-19 EIDL Applicant
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Restaurant Revitalization
Fund Applicant
|
|
PPP recipient
|
First Draw PPP
borrowers may be
eligible to apply for
Second Draw PPP
loans
|
May apply for SVOG if received a PPP loan; if
PPP loan received after December 27, 2020, the PPP
loan amount will be deducted from the SVOG.
May not apply for PPP after receiving SVOG.
|
May apply for
EIDL and PPP, but
cannot be used
for the same
purpose/costs
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PPP loans received by the RRF applicant will affect the applicant's funding calculation
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|
Shuttered
Venue
Operators
Grant
recipient
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May not apply for PPP loan after receiving SVOG
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May be eligible to receive a supplemental SVOG award
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May apply for EIDL and SVOG, but cannot be used for the same purpose/costs
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Entities that have a pending application for or received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant are not eligible to apply for RRF
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|
COVID-19
EIDL recipient
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May apply for PPP, but cannot be used for the same purpose/costs as EIDL
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May apply for SVOG, but cannot be used for the same purpose/costs as EIDL
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The same business cannot apply for more than one EIDL
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May apply for EIDL and RRF
|
|
RRF recipient
|
PPP loans received by the RRF applicant will affect the applicant's funding calculation
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Entities that have a pending application for or received an RRF are not eligible to apply for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants
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May apply for EIDL and RRF
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The same business cannot apply for RRF more than once
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PPP Program Ended on May 31, 2021: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. Get FREE Help with PPP by contacting our Business Response Team.
Second Draw PPP Forgivable Loans: PPP now allows certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan to apply for a Second Draw PPP loan with the same general loan terms as their First Draw PPP loan. Second Draw PPP loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations. Maximum loan amount and increased assistance for accommodation and food services businesses. For most borrowers, the maximum loan amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is 2.5x the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million. For borrowers in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (use NAICS 72 to confirm), the maximum loan amount for a Second Draw PPP loan is 3.5x the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million.
A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP loan if the borrower:
- Previously received a First Draw PPP loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses
- Has no more than 300 employees; and
- Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Small businesses who originally took out an EIDL loan for up to $150,000 for six months can extend that loan for up to 24 months and receive additional funds for a total of $500,000 in relief. Businesses that received an EIDL loan for up to six months and $150,000 need not submit a request to increase their loan amount. Rather, the SBA will reach out via email for details on how businesses can request additional loan funds prior to the April 6 launch date of the extended program. https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
Targeted EIDL Advance. If your business was denied an EIDL Advance Loan: Effective immediately, applicants can send a request for reevaluation of a Targeted EIDL Advance application that was declined to the following email address: TargetedAdvanceReevaluation@sba.gov.
Applicants should follow these instructions when requesting a reevaluation:
- Send an email to TargetedAdvanceReevaluation@sba.gov
- Use the subject line “Reevaluation Request for [insert your 10-digit application number]”
- In the body of the email, include identifying information for the application such as application number, business name, business address, business owner name(s) and phone number
- Important: Include an explanation and any documentation that addresses the reason for the decline, if available. SBA will contact applicants if additional documentation is required to complete the review.
The COVID-19 Targeted EIDL Advance was signed into law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. The Targeted EIDL Advance provides businesses in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency. Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding.
Applicants do not need to take any action.
SBA is reaching out to those who qualify.
Washington State House Bill 1368: Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed House Bill 1368, which appropriates $2.2 billion in federal funding that has been allocated to states in response to the ongoing COVID emergency. The legislation takes effect immediately.
The bill provides:
$714 million in assistance for K-12 schools.
$618 million for public health’s response to COVID, including testing, investigation and contact tracing; and funding for vaccination efforts.
$365 million for emergency eviction, rental and utility assistance.
$240 million for business assistance grants.
$50 million for child care.
$26 million for food banks and other food programs .
$91 million for income assistance, including $65 million for relief for the state’s immigrant population.
Read the full bill here. The business assistance grants will be administered by the state Department of Commerce. Commerce is working on the application portal and expects it to open late March. Information will be posted at commerce.wa.gov/bizgrants.
Archived
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF): Applications Now Closed. The new Restaurant Revitalization Fund, part of the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act, provides $28.6 billion in grants to restaurants and bars in need. The application portal opened Monday, May 3. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications. This article published by Sweeney Conrad provides some narrative explanation. Please email restaurants@sba.gov with questions. Read more about the RRF here. RRF information is also available in Espanol.
Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund: Applications are closed. Apply by May 15. If you are an immigrant experiencing hard times because of COVID-19, and you aren’t eligible for federal financial relief or unemployment insurance, this fund is for you. Apply for the Washington COVID-19 Relief Fund and receive a $1,000 one-time direct payment.
Español
한국어
Tiếng Việt
中文
Kiswahili
Garifuna
Washington State Department of Agriculture Relief & Recovery Grants: Applications closed. Nearly $15 million in Relief and Recovery Grants are available from Washington State Department of Agriculture. Closed on Monday, April 26. Please learn more here and see below.
Working Washington round 4 grants: This newest grant round focuses on brick-and-mortar businesses most directly impacted by COVID-19 public health measures. The Washington State Department of Commerce will open applications for Working Washington Grants: Round 4 on Monday, March 29. Business owners can find information about the program and a link to the application portal at commercegrants.com. This is the fourth round of the Working Washington grant program. Legislators approved $240 million for the current round as part of an early action bill that also provided additional funding for rent assistance and other COVID-19 response efforts. Apply here.
Some of the criteria outlined in this legislation include:
- Businesses must apply the grant award toward expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
- Commerce must take into account previous Working Washington awards distributed by the agency or affiliated partners. This means grant awards will vary. The maximum grant award will be $25,000.
- Grants must be equitably distributed statewide and to historically underserved and disadvantaged populations.
The application portal will be open until 5:00 PM on April 9. Application information and technical assistance is available in multiple languages and is accessible to a wide range of people with disabilities. As of Monday, March 22, businesses can contact Commerce’s technical support center by phone or by email: (855) 602-2722 or commercegrants@submittable.com.
The Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund was created by Google, the City of Kirkland, the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and Banner Bank’s Kirkland branch to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and small nonprofits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. The second round of grants closed in August. For more information, including application details and information on contributing to the fund, please visit the Chamber’s website.
Seattle Foundation has established a COVID-19 Response Fund, which will initially assist nonprofit organizations that work with communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its consequences. Please note that this fund will not initially assist nonprofits that have lost revenue, though this may be considered in the future.
Facebook has established a Small Business Grants Program to assist businesses in addressing the impacts of COVID-19. These grants will include both cash grants and ad credits.
The Seattle Metro Chamber, which serves as the King County Associate Development organization, is working to ensure that $580,000 in federal funding reaches king County small businesses. This is part of the $10 million that Washington state received for small business support from the federal CARES Act. The application process is open through 5 p.m., Monday, September 28. For more information about the grants, including eligibility requirements, visit the King County Associate Development Organization website.
Other Resources
King County's Hazardous Waste Management Program offers a Voucher Incentive Program for eligible businesses to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazardous waste improvements like safe storage for cleaning products and other chemicals. 75 percent of expenses can be reimbursed, up to $599. Expert staff can recommend improvements that will help keep staff and customers safe.