Resources
In addition to the grant available through Empower Events Tampa Bay and The Above and Beyond Foundation, we are committed to help our fellow wedding and event industry members through COVID-19 as much as we possibly can. Below are links to local resources and grants for small businesses in our community, along with national resources and grants that are currently available. Please continue to check back as we will work on keeping this page up-to-date with additional resources and grants.
Local Grants
One Tampa Relief Now, Rise Together Phase III for Businesses Grant Program
This program provides $2,000 to small businesses who did not qualify for the previous One Tampa Relief for Businesses program and are current on their City of Tamp Business Tax. Grants are limited to 100 per City Council district (4-7). To learn more and apply, visit:
R3 (Rapid Response Recovery) Assistance Economic Recovery Financial Assistance
Hillsborough County’s Economic Recovery Financial Assistance program is intended to assist local small businesses directly impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The program was created by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to direct Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds as part of the comprehensive initiative to provide immediate relief, long term community health and stability, and a full robust economic recovery. Business owners can apply for the Kickstart Small Business and if they qualify, can be awarded between $7,500 to $10,000, depending on the size of the business (number of employees.) To learn more and apply, visit:
R3 Economic Recovery Financial Assistance for Businesses
Hillsborough County has an economic recovery financial assistance program to assist local small businesses economically damaged by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The $100 million Kickstart Small Business program aims to soften the protracted economic injury to the small business community inflicted by the sustained COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and complement other local, state, and federal assistance programs.
This is a financial assistance program, not a loan. Therefore, the funds do not need to be paid back. Awarded funds can be spent on any business-related expense, such as employees’ wages, mortgage, rent, vendor invoices, utility bills, payroll and other costs, so long as these expenses are not paid for by insurance or another federal assistance program. Receipt of other local, state, or federal assistance (such as One Tampa or PPP/EIDL relief loan funds) will not impact a business’ eligibility for this program. To learn more and apply, visit:
National Grants & Funds
Visa’s IFundWomen Grant Program
Business Grants for Black women-owned businesses.
The Red Backpack Fund
Business grants for women. Applications will re-open August 3, 2020.
WomensNet Amber Grant
Grants for small women-owned businesses.
Lowe’s Small Business Grants
Applications reopening July 27, 2020. $30 million in grants going to minority and women owned businesses.
Nav’s Small Business Grants
Up to $10,000 for small businesses. Winners announced October 2020.
Barefoot Black Beauty Business Grant
Grants to Black women-owned beauty businesses (products businesses included).
SheaMoisture Small-Business Fund
Business grants for minority owned businesses supporting their community through COVID-19.
Cartier Women’s Initiative
Accepting applications for 2021 funding.
The Doonie Fund
Grants for Black women-owned businesses. Pending application-reopening.
Women’s Opportunity Resource Center
Women-owned business loans and resource hub.
The Opportunity Fund
Micro Financing for small businesses.
Honeycomb Small-Business Relief Fund
Crowd-sourced coronavirus relief funds for small businesses.
Kiva Crowdfunding Small-Business Assistance
Kiva crowdfunding eligibility has expand, maximum loan amount increased to $15k.
37 Angels
Start-up investing for women.
Grantsforwomen.org
Database of grants for women.