Small Business Matching Grant Program

The City of Santa Monica is offering small businesses up to $10,000 in matching grants to improve storefronts along Pico Boulevard through the Commercial Façade Improvement (CFI) Matching Grant Program. CFI Matching Grant Program is made possible through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG funds are to enhance low-income and moderate-income (LMI) areas that benefit LMI clientele and households. Pico Boulevard was selected for the pilot program due to the highest concentration of LMI clienteles and households within a business district.

The CFI Matching Grant Program will enhance the physical appearance and safety of small businesses along Pico Boulevard. This includes exterior upgrades such as signage, lighting, ADA entryways, and security enhancements. The opportunity will focus on small business owners who have historically experienced higher barrier to assessing capital; inclusive of minority-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses. There will be additional consideration for selecting Santa Monica vendors for material and labor, which in turn will further support and reinvest in more businesses in the local community.

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Contact Us:

(310) 458-8906
econdev@santamonica.gov

FAQ

How can I determine if I am eligible?

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

Must be an existing Santa Monica brick and mortar shop with 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.

What is the timeline?

Grant Application – January 15, 2025
Grant Workshop – January 15, 2025, at 4pm in the Annex at Pico Branch Library (2201 Pico Blvd)
Application Deadline – Until funds exhausted
Grantee Selection – TBD
Project Completion – One year from grant award date
Project Inspection – At Project Completion
Reimbursement – At Project Completion

What is a security assessment and how can I get one for my business?

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) offers free security assessments for residents and business owners. These assessments use the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to determine ways to increase security of the property and reduce instances of criminal activity. Crime Prevention Coordinator and/or Neighborhood Resource Officer will conduct a walkthrough and provide written recommendations. For this grant opportunity along Pico, reach out to Halima Barreto at halima.barreto@santamonica.gov to schedule your free assessment.

For all other security assessments, visit https://www.santamonica.gov/property-crime for more details.