General Posted July 15, 2021 With PPP Over, What Other Relief and Lending Programs Are Available for Franchises? Share By: Garrison Chura With the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) running its course at the end of May, it is important to be aware of grants and programs that may help small franchise business owners during our continued recovery from the pandemic. A helpful starting point is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s list of supported small business grants and programs. The thirty-three listings cover general, identity-dependent, and industry-specific opportunities that are important to review your applicability for. If you would like to review all government grant opportunities, click here. Certain programs, such as the 8(a) Business Development Program and the Community Navigator Pilot Program, target disadvantaged groups, while others have more narrow parameters. There are four specifically for women-owned businesses, two for owners who identify as a minority woman. Furthermore, there are two grants that address the needs for underutilized and hardest hit regions in the country. Service-disabled veteran-owned businesses also have a listing for themselves to take advantage of: the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program. Looking on to a non-pandemic world, three grants also focus on healthcare and technological research, while one is specifically for the assistance of small business opportunities in foreign markets. IFA also encourages our members to see further opportunities with the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL has offered our members critical funding to sustain current operations. Assistance for more niche sectors is represented as well. Business owners within the industries of natural resources and surplus property, art, and theaters and museums will find opportunities for aid. The remaining listings are below: All Disadvantaged Groups Description Amount Due Apply 8(a) Business Development Program Certified 8(a) Underutilized areas Description Amount Due Apply USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Rural business, less than 50 workers, and less than $1 million in gross revenue Apply HUBZone Program Underutilized geographical area Minority Owned Description Amount Due Apply U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Minority owned Minority Women Owned Description Amount Due Apply The Galaxy Grant Minority women owned $2,750 and referral program Winner announced June 30th Apply Black Founder Startup Grant Black and multiracial women and nonbinary entrepeneurs Up to $10,000 Women Owned Description Amount Due Apply Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program Women owned Apply Amber Grant Foundation Women Owned $10,000 each month and an additional $25,000 grant each December Apply IFundWomen COVID-19 Relief Fund Women owned Apply Stacy’s Rise Project Women owned $10,000 and mentorship program Veteran Owned Description Amount Due Apply Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program Must be over 50% owned or controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans Research Topics Description Amount Due Apply National Institute of Health For the continued scientific research of COVID-19 related topics and biomedical technology. Apply Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Participation in federal research with high potential of commercialization Apply Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) R&D innovation with the benefit of collaborating with research institutions Entertainment and Artistry Description Amount Due Apply Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Theaters and museums 45% of 2019 gross revenue or $10 million, whichever is less Apply Artwork Archive’s Art Business Accelerator Grant $2500 and business training Apply The Halstead Grant New silver jewelry designers $7,500 in start-up capital and $1,000 in merchandise August 1st, 2021 Foreign Trade Topics Description Amount Due Apply U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Funding to state and local government to support small businesses in globalizing activities All Apply Description Amount Due Apply U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Apply GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund Will match $500 grants from business’ GoFundMe Apply KKR Small Business Builders Up to $10,000, mentoring training, and network accessibility Apply National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants Up to $4,000 to assist with training, marketing and more Apply SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund Restaurants and other food establishments Up to $10 million Apply Save Small Business Initiative Provide guidance on financial assistance programs and resources Apply Dream Big Awards $25,000 July 16th, 2021 Resources Topics Description Amount Due Apply Natural Resource Sales Assistance Program Timber and related forest products, strategic materials, royalty oil, leases involving to minerals, coil, oil, and gas, and surplus real and personal property Natural resource and surplus property subsidies and training