Small Business Grants in Anaheim & Orange County

Running a small business in Anaheim or elsewhere in Orange County can be rewarding, but funding remains a constant concern. Many entrepreneurs in this region seek financial assistance to grow due to the diverse local economy. A good option is small business grants that you don’t have to repay. 

Grants are free funding, provided by government agencies or private groups for specific purposes. Winning a grant can give your business a boost without adding debt, but you must meet strict requirements and use the money as directed.

What Are Small Business Grants?

Grants usually come from the government, city, county, state, or federal, nonprofit organizations, or private companies. Each grant program has a specific mission; for example, one grant might aim to boost local jobs, another to improve storefronts, and another to help businesses adopt green technology. Grants don’t require repayment, so competition for them is very high. Applicants must show how their project or business meets the grant’s goals and benefits the community. 

For small businesses in Anaheim and Orange County, grants can help fill financing gaps for initiatives that support the local economy. A grant might enable you to renovate an older storefront, hire and train employees, or launch an innovative product. Since you don’t owe interest or principal, grants keep your future finances clear. You need to find a grant that aligns with your business and then craft a compelling application to stand out from other applicants. Well, what are the possible grant options? 

Anaheim Small Business Grant Programs

Anaheim actively supports its local business community with various grant programs when funding is available:

Storefront Improvement Grants

Anaheim recently offered grants of up to $100,000 to help local businesses modernize their storefronts and improve curb appeal. This program aimed to fund facade upgrades, new signage, and exterior renovations. The Storefront Improvement Program was hugely popular, showing that many businesses are eager to beautify their premises. City officials have said they will consider reopening this program if new funding becomes available, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for future rounds. 

Emergency Relief Grants

During crisis periods, Anaheim has provided grants to help small businesses stay afloat. For instance, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anaheim Small Business Relief Grant program provided $5,000 grants to local small businesses and nonprofits that were affected by the pandemic. Funded by Orange County, this program targeted businesses that suffered revenue losses due to COVID-19. 

Industry-Specific Mini-Grants

Anaheim also launched niche grant programs addressing specific needs. One example was the “Take It Outdoors” Restaurant Relief Grant, which provided up to $2,000 for restaurants to expand or improve their dining areas. During the pandemic, indoor capacity was limited, so this grant helped eateries buy patio umbrellas, tents, outdoor furniture, or safety barricades to serve customers outside. 

Orange County Regional Grant Opportunities

Beyond Anaheim city limits, small businesses across Orange County have access to various grant initiatives as well:

County-Wide Grant Programs

The County of Orange = funds grants to address county-wide economic needs, especially for microbusinesses. For example, Orange County launched a Microbusiness Grants program that offered $2,500 grants to small businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. It focused on inclusive recovery. The application window for that grant closed in March 2022, but it serves as a model: when Orange County identifies a critical need, it can roll out a targeted grant funded by the Board of Supervisors.

Grants for Unincorporated Areas

Orange County has also directed grant funding to businesses in unincorporated communities. In one such program, small businesses in unincorporated parts of the county could get up to $10,000 in grant funds to offset COVID-related losses. These grants, funded by federal HUD dollars, aimed to sustain jobs and promote recovery in communities that don’t have their own city governments. 

City-Specific Programs in Orange County

A number of other Orange County cities outside Anaheim offer their small business grant programs. Often, these are done in partnership with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). For instance, the City of Tustin recently ran a “Level Up” Small Business Training and Grant Program: participants who completed a series of business workshops received a $2,500 grant to invest in their business growth. Similarly, the City of Cypress launched the Next Up Business Growth Program, combining training with a $10,000 grant for each business that finished the program successfully. 

California State Grants for Small Businesses

Beyond the local level, the State of California offers additional grant opportunities:

California Office of the Small Business Advocate Grants

CalOSBA runs or publicizes many statewide grant programs. They are good for difficulties with money that try to make things that keep California’s economy strong. Periodically check CalOSBA’s website, as new grants or funding initiatives are announced there, sometimes targeting certain industries.

California Grants Portal

You can find grants via the California Grants Portal, an official website that lists all state-administered grants. You can choose by whether the grant is for businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and by categories like education, health, economic development, etc. New grants can appear throughout the year.

One-Time State Programs

California sometimes creates one-time grant programs when special funding is available. The state rolled out the California Dream Fund, which offered microgrants of up to $10,000 to new small businesses that had completed an extensive training program. Keep an eye out for any new programs in California’s budget.

Industry-Specific Grants

The state also funds grants in particular professions. Through the California Energy Commission or the California Department of Agriculture, there might be grants for farms and food businesses, for example. Some state ideas support grants for creative industry businesses, etc. If your business falls into a special category, research whether there are state grants for that type of enterprise.

Federal Small Business Grants

You are also welcome to check available federal grants:

Small Business Innovation Research and Tech Grants

The U.S. SBA facilitates the SBIR program, which is a major source of federal grant funding for small companies engaged in research and development. Federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy, award research grants to small businesses. These grants do not need to be repaid, but they’re essentially contracts to perform R&D and achieve certain technical objectives. Phase I SBIR grants typically range from $50,000 to $150,000, and Phase II grants can exceed $1 million.

Economic Development and Community Grants

Agencies, such as the Economic Development Administration, offer grants that can help small businesses. The EDA provides grants to local governments or nonprofit entities to fund projects that spur economic growth. As a business owner, you wouldn’t receive EDA grants directly, but you might benefit if, say, Orange County or a local nonprofit gets an EDA grant to support entrepreneurs.

Grants for Particular Situations 

The federal government occasionally offers grants to businesses that have a special purpose. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) was established for live event venues, theaters, and museums, providing grant money to offset lost revenue. There have also been federal grants available for childcare providers and businesses that support disaster recovery efforts. If your business is in an industry heavily impacted by a disaster or is considered vital to community well-being, check for any federal grants dedicated to that cause. 

Grants from Private Companies and Nonprofits

Private corporations and foundations also offer grants that Orange County small businesses can pursue:

Corporate Small Business Grants

Large companies sometimes run grant contests or funding programs for small businesses as part of their community outreach or marketing. A well-known example is the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, which, for many years, awarded substantial grants, along with FedEx services, to selected small businesses nationwide. In its latest round, FedEx’s program awarded over $230,000 in total grants to ten businesses. Also, Visa, QuickBooks, Walmart’s Local Initiatives, and even industry-specific companies host grant competitions for entrepreneurs in those fields. 

Local and Community Foundations

Many community foundations or nonprofit initiatives provide smaller grants to businesses that have a positive social impact. For example, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, in collaboration with corporate partners, ran a Small Business Recovery Grant program that offered grants of up to $10,000 to businesses to cover rent, payroll, and other urgent expenses. Keep an eye on organizations like LISC, the Orange County Community Foundation, or even local banks that sometimes have grant programs for businesses.

Grants for Special Groups and Causes

Nonprofits focused on specific demographics often offer grants or contests. For instance, there are grants dedicated to women-owned businesses, such as the Amber Grant, which awards $10,000 monthly to a female entrepreneur. If you are a veteran entrepreneur, organizations like StreetShares Foundation have offered grants for veteran-owned businesses.

Eligibility Criteria

With so many different grants available, each one will have its own eligibility criteria. However, most small business grant programs share some common requirements:

• Location. A city grant will require your business to operate within that city (e.g., within Anaheim city limits, a county grant within the county, and so on.
• Business size. Many grants target small businesses, often capping eligibility at businesses with, for example, fewer than 50 employees or a certain annual revenue.
• Industry or purpose. Grants could be industry-based or purpose-based. Your business must fit that purpose. Always read the description!
• Demonstrated need. You often have to demonstrate either a financial need or the community impact of your business/project. The stronger you can make this case, the better your chances.
• Time in business. Some grants require that you’ve been in operation for a minimum period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, 2 years). Others might be open to startups or even pre-launch businesses. Check the fine print!
• Documentation. Almost every grant will require documents to prove you meet the above factors. Common documents include: your business license, recent tax returns or financial statements, payroll records, and a solid business plan or proposal.

How to Find Grant and Apply?

Applying for a small business grant in Anaheim or Orange County is a process that requires several necessary steps:

1. Do some research. Hunt for grants that fit your business. Begin by checking local sources: browse Anaheim’s city website for any open business grant programs, and look at the Orange County economic development pages. When you find a potential grant, note dates and requirements. 

2. Prepare documents. Gather all required documents and start drafting your proposal. Writing a strong grant application takes several weeks. Carefully read the application instructions and note every question you must answer and every document you must attach. Be factual and persuasive: include data about your business, the need you’re addressing, and the outcomes you expect.

3. Submit and wait. After checking everything, submit your application before the deadline. You might get a confirmation email that your submission has been received. Depending on the grant, the review period can range from a few weeks to several months. Local grants might notify winners quickly. Big state or federal grants often have multiple stages of review.

4. Grant award and follow-up. If you get the happy news that you’ve been awarded a grant, congratulations! At that point, you’ll typically have to sign some form of grant agreement. This is a contract that will outline how you can use the funds, any reporting you must do, and other conditions. Please read it carefully. Importantly, use the funds exactly as specified. If the grant was for buying equipment, don’t use it on a vacation or something off-purpose.

Improve Your Chances of Success

Winning a small business grant is difficult, so consider these tips to maximize your chances of success:

• Target grants that fit your business. You should focus on grants that closely align with your work. Review the grant’s mission and past winners (if available) to assess its suitability.
• Emphasize community benefits. Especially for government or foundation grants, clearly explain how your business activities benefit. Grants often go to businesses that promise an economic or social impact.
• Get help from local resources. You don’t have to navigate grants alone. Take advantage of the free expertise available. They might point out areas that require strengthening.
• Mind the details and deadlines. A small mistake can derail a grant application. Pay close attention to instructions. Any discrepancies or false claims can disqualify you.
• Combine funding sources. Use a mix of grants and loans. You might secure a small grant that covers 20% of a project’s cost and take out a loan for the rest. Keep very clear records of how you allocate funds.
• Stay persistent and keep improving. Even after you win one grant, there might be others you can apply for as your business grows. Each application you put together helps you refine your story and gather useful materials.

Final Thought

New programs emerge, old ones end, and criteria change with the times. You should monitor official sources and network with other business owners. When you spot the right opportunity, go for it with a well-prepared application. Even if the process requires effort and patience, the reward of free funding is well worth it.