RFAs: Economic Opportunity Holiday Grants – United States

Economic Opportunity Holiday Grants are now available to assist businesses and nonprofits that are still struggling to recover from the financial impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is designed to support qualified small businesses, microentrepreneurs, food industry businesses, and non-profits in Los Angeles County impacted by COVID-19.

The Holiday Grants is distributing over $500,000 made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity in partnership with PACE. Applications will be open for a limited time during the holidays. Grants will be awarded beginning February 2025. Through this grant, DEO will support the following:

• Microbusinesses with gross revenue less than $250,000
• Small Businesses with gross revenue between $250,000 and $2 Million
• Very Small Nonprofits with Operating Budget of less than $1 Million
• Small Nonprofits with Operating Budgets between $1 and $5 Million

Funding Information

• Grant amount: $3,000 or $5,000.

Eligible Uses

• The purchase of new certified equipment or technology tools for business or nonprofit operations;
• Employee payroll expenses;
• Application for, or renewal of, a local permit;
• Payment of business debt accrued due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Working capital to continue operations;
• Payment of outstanding business expenses (rent, supplier management, etc.); or
• Costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and safety restrictions, or business interruptions or closures incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must meet all of the grant program requirements in order to qualify. But please note that funding is limited and thus, meeting eligibility requirements does NOT guarantee a grant award. Requirements include:
  • Must submit pledge to support small businesses at shoploca.la.
    • Must use same name, last name, and email address when submitting grant application and pledge.
  • Operational Date
    • Must have been in operation prior to December 30, 2021, as determined by business license or similar government filings. Must be currently active and operating.
  • Business Type and Geographic Boundaries
    • Grantees must operate from a brick and mortar location with a storefront in Los Angeles County. Nonprofits must be operating from an office or another commercial space and provide services Countywide. Businesses or nonprofits operating from a residence are not eligible. In addition, certain business types are not eligible. See below for a full list of ineligible businesses.
      • Publicly traded companies;
      • Corporate-owned franchises;
      • Financial institutions, such as banks, lenders, pay day lenders, auto title lenders, check cashers, other businesses whose stock in trade is money and mortgages, and other similar entities;
      • Insurance companies, such as life, auto, home, bail bond, and other similar entities;
      • Private or social clubs;
      • Pawn shops;
      • Astrology, Palm Reading;
      • Liquor stores, night clubs;
      • Lobbying firms or businesses that dedicate 50% or more of their time or resources to lobbying activities;
      • Businesses that engage in gambling activities, such as Bingo parlors, casinos;
      • Trailer-storage and junk yards;
      • Businesses that present live performances of a sexual nature;
      • Businesses that generate income through activities performed in violation of State or federal law, including the sale, cultivation, or transportation of marijuana;
      • Businesses that exist for the purpose of advancing partisan political activities;
      • Gun or ammunition stores;
      • Business or organizations debarred or suspended under the laws of the United States Government; and
      • Businesses owned by individuals under the age of 18.
  • Revenue Thresholds
    • The business owner applying for the grant must be the majority owner, manager of the qualified business, and own the business as the primary means of income in the 2019 taxable year. The business applicant must be able to provide acceptable form of government-issued photo ID (State, domestic, or foreign) and documentation that includes the owner’s name may include but is not limited to the following: a local business permit or license, a bank statement, or a tax return.

For more information, visit Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity.