The City of Austin is no longer accepting applications for the Austin Small Business Relief Grant. The deadline for submission expired on July 24, 2020 at 8 p.m.
Find helpful resources:
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City of Austin's ATXRecovers.com - A one-stop resource to help businesses and individuals recover from the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Find resources related to funding, unemployment assistance, legal aid, consulting help, and more.
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Economic Development Department’s Small Business Resources Directory - Database of local, state, federal, and community resources. Filter by “Disaster Relief” to find immediate support for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austin Small Business Relief Grant dashboard:
View larger version of Program Metrics
The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200507-023 on May 7, 2020 to provide $10 million for the Austin Small Business Relief Grant. The City Council approved an additional $6.5 million for the Austin Small Business Relief Grant in Resolution No. 20200604-040 on June 4, 2020.
Applicants may apply for up to $40,000 toward their business needs including rent, payroll and other economic needs.
Eligible local businesses must be able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic and must be headquartered in a City of Austin Council district.
The Austin Small Business Relief Grant application will be live and accepting eligible submissions through the Austin Better Business Bureau starting on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Contact Information
Email: businessreliefgrant@austin.bbb.org
Call: 512-318-2683
- Scoring
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Every application will be evaluated against a scoring matrix that includes criteria for need, vulnerability, and equity. For distribution of funds, 50% of the program funding will be allocated to applicants that score the highest according to this matrix. The remaining 50% of funds will be awarded by random lottery among eligible applicants. Businesses owned by members of historically marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply.
Application Scoring Matrix
Category
Criteria
Available Points
Equity
- Race/Ethnicity of Ownership
- Gender of Ownership
- Low- to Moderate Income Location
15 Business Scale
- Number of Employees (FTEs)
- Annual Revenues
- Years in Operation
15 Urgency
- COVID-19 Response
- Ability to operate during Stay at Home Orders
- Working Capital Reserves
- Likely impact of not receiving grant
20 - Application Assistance
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The Economic Development Department has partnered with additional local community organizations to help promote and provide technical assistance to potential applicants of the Austin Small Business Relief Grant and assist applicants with their applications. These efforts will ensure the most vulnerable businesses and non-profit organizations are aware of the grant opportunities and receive assistance to apply.
Community Champions to support the Austin Small Business Relief Grant include:
- Austin Revitalization Authority, austinrevauthority@gmail.com, 512-469-1705
- Local Economies Council, Elizabeth Dixie Patrick, dixie@ibuyaustin.com, 512-441-2123
- PeopleFund - Jessica Mullen, jmullen@peoplefund.org, 512-222-1016
- Austin Revitalization Authority, austinrevauthority@gmail.com, 512-469-1705
- Recorded Informational Webinars
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- Austin Small Business Relief Grant – July 8, 2020 Webinar
- Subvención de ayuda para Empresas Pequeñas de Austin – Seminario Informativo
A summary of applicant questions from webinars has been complied into a Question Summary. Additional questions not addressed in the summary can be found in the FAQ section of this webpage. For immediate questions specific to your application please contact the Better Business by email at businessreliefgrant@austin.bbb.org or by phone at 512-318-2683
- Austin Small Business Relief Grant – July 8, 2020 Webinar
- Eligible Applicants
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Eligible business applicants will meet the following conditions:
- Business able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic
- Business with 25 full-time equivalent employees or fewer as of March 1, 2020
- Business with under $5 million in annual revenues
- Business has been in continuous operation for at least 2 years
- Business organized as partnerships, sole proprietorships, LLCs, cooperatives, or other business structures
- Business able to provide one (1) year of federal income tax returns
- Business headquartered in a City of Austin Council District
Updated Eligibility for Clarification on July 7, 2020
- Business able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic
- Ineligible Applicants
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- Businesses not headquartered in a City of Austin Council District
- Businesses with over 25 full-time equivalent employees or fewer as of March 1, 2020
- Businesses with over $5 million in annual revenues
- Businesses debarred from contracting with the federal government
- Businesses without an Employer Identification Number
- Businesses engaged in multi-level marketing
- Businesses that derive more than a third of their annual revenue from gambling activities
- Businesses engaged in lobbying
- Houses of worship or religious institutions
- Government entities
- Nonprofits
- Individuals
- Full time, permanent City of Austin employees are ineligible to receive these funds
Updated Ineligibility for Clarification on July 7, 2020
- Businesses not headquartered in a City of Austin Council District
- Required Documentation
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Required Documentation
Subvención de Ayuda para Pequeñas Empresas de Austin Lista de documentos requeridos
所需文件清单 | 所需文件清單 | Danh Sách Đánh Dấu các Chứng Từ Bắt Buộc | القائمة المرجعية للمستندات المطلوبة
- Documentation of expenses eligible for reimbursement
- Current Balance Sheet & Profit & Loss Statement
- Payroll record (to document number of employees) (Sample)
- 2018 and/or 2019 Federal Income tax return
- Registration with the Secretary of State or County Clerk
- Documentation of expenses eligible for reimbursement
- Expenses: Eligible and Ineligible
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Grant amounts for businesses that receive awards will be calculated based upon a business’ ability to document expenses eligible for reimbursement between March 1, 2020 and July 7, 2020. Successful applicants may receive up to $40,000 by documenting expenditures made in the categories that follow.
Eligible Expenses
- Payroll, Employee Retention
- Rent/Mortgage for Business Property incurred between March 1, 2020 and July 7, 2020
- COVID-Compliance Facility Modifications
- Personal Protective Equipment Purchases/Rentals/Plastic Shielding
- Sanitation/Cleaning
- Business Personal Property for Existing Businesses
- Inventory
- Business Insurance
- Technology
- Worker Training
- Business response and adaptation to pandemic conditions
- Modifications to business site or operations to support enhanced public health and safety standards
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Operational Costs
Ineligible Expenses
- Lost sales, donations or sponsorships
- Merchandise for sale for marketing purposes
- Costs incurred prior to March 1, 2020
- Costs that have also been paid for by other COVID-19 grants/loans
- Payroll, Employee Retention