How to Apply for the Small Business Matching Grant Program

Continue the Process:

  1. Determine Your Eligibility

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    To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

    • Must be an existing Santa Monica brick-and-mortar shop along Pico Boulevard
    • Must have a valid business license with the City of Santa Monica. 
    • The annual revenue for the small business will be under $2,000,000. 
    • Priority will be given to minority-owned, female-owned, LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
    • Consideration will be given to applicants who choose Santa Monica merchants and trades to support the local economy.  
    • Qualifying grantees will be chosen through an online, randomized application system. 
    • Applicants will need to serve the most vulnerable in our communities, specifically LMI serving areas established by HUD per the 2020 LMI Census tract.

  2. Schedule a security assessment (if applicable)

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    The grant can help fund external security enhancement. These should be based on the recommendations of Santa Monica Police Department’s (SMPD) Crime Prevention Team.  Please schedule your complimentary safety assessment via halima.barreto@santamonica.gov with Halima.  

  3. RSVP for the Information Meeting on January 15, 2025

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    The CFI Matching Grant Program will launch on January 15, 2025.  City and PD staff will be making a presentation at the Pico Branch Library. There will be a Q&A session to answer questions about the program and any security related questions.  Sign up here to be notified about the information meeting and future updates about the grant opportunity.  

  4. Complete the application

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    Click here to download the application. 

  5. Email the completed application and documents

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    Application should include the following. Title of email should be "Small Business Grant". Submit to econdev@santamonica.gov.

    • Signed application 
    • Photos of existing conditions 
    • Quote 1 
    • Quote 2 
    • Business License 
    • Security Assessment Report, if applicable

  6. Review process

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    All received applicants will be vetted by the Economic Development Department to confirm eligibility.  Applicants will be contacted to confirm receipt.  The review process is expected to take 2-3 weeks.  Please note that grant-funded work cannot commence until the grant is awarded.  Work that has been completed prior to the award will not be eligible for this Program.    

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