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We're proud to announce the recipients of the Sonoma County Alliance Small Business Opportunity Fund! What is the Sonoma County Alliance Small Business Opportunity Fund? The Sonoma County Alliance is a coalition of business, agriculture, labor, and individuals organized to encourage a healthy economy, maintain a sound environment, protect private property rights, and promote a responsive political process.  Understanding that raising capital or finding loans is one of the greatest challenges facing small business owners today, this multi-year small business grant program supports the rejuvenation and growth of the Sonoma County community, prioritizing business owners who traditionally lack access to capital. Grants between $1,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to local businesses looking to make a capital investment in their future. Sonoma County Alliance Small Business Opportunity Fund Recipients To qualify, for-profit businesses located in Sonoma County had to be in operation for at least a year and have fewer than 25 employees.  The recipients all have big plans and big dreams and know exactly how to use these funds to help their businesses grow. Congratulations to all recipients listed below. They'll each receive a grant between $1,000 and $5,000! Round 2 Recipients Sierra Hooshiari New Age Drinks Samantha Paone Golden State Pickle Works Jennifer Price, DC The Posture Chiropractor Sara Romero SRC Botanicals Visit the Hello Alice Funding Center to view our current grant programs and subscribe to the Hello Alice newsletter to stay up-to-date on future programs and funding opportunities. 

More than anything else, small business owners need funding to keep their doors open. There are a variety of ways to fund a business, including personal savings, loans, credit cards, and grants.  Between the government, corporations, and other sources, there are billions of grant dollars up for grabs in a single year. Small business owners should regularly explore grants as a way to hire seasonal help, purchase equipment, or launch new products. Here’s everything you need to know about how to find and apply for small business grants.  What Are Small Business Grants? Small business grants are money given to a small business by a government, corporate, or nonprofit organization. Grants do not require repayment, and they are often used to support a particular project, objective, or mission. What’s the Difference Between a Small Business Grant and a Loan? When you take out a small business loan, the expectation is that you will pay it back, typically plus interest. Lenders will often require you to provide collateral in the event you can’t repay the loan amount. Grants, on the other hand, have no expectation of repayment and function as a one-time gift. For this reason, some call grants “free money.”  Small Business Grants Benefits First off, small business grants are a great, no-strings-attached way to fund growth and scale your impact. As a one-time, no-cost payment, grant money help entrepreneurs invest in a new piece of equipment or purchase additional inventory for the holiday rush. After all, the number one small business need is funding, and grants can provide the money needed to build capacity to support future success. Additionally, organizations and government agencies provide grants because of their positive impact on the larger community. Many grant programs specifically fund businesses with a positive social mission or that offer necessary goods and services. Grant funding is a great way to incentivize local small businesses to serve the public good. Successful small businesses also create well-paying jobs that enrich the local economy. Types of Small Business Grants Generally speaking, there are a few types of grants you’ll find: Government Grants There are thousands of local, state, and federal grants available to small businesses to fund their ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Grants are typically offered by specific agencies for specific purposes. For example, a small farm would probably benefit from a Department of Agriculture grant; technology businesses researching an innovative product might be a good match for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant administered by the Small Business Administration. Depending on who you are, where you’re located, and what industry you work in, there is likely a government grant program tailored to support your needs. Nonprofit Grants Lots of nonprofits offer grants to small businesses doing work that aligns with their mission. If you are an owner from an underrepresented background or have a business with a social mission, these nonprofits will be eager to review your application. Private Grants Although less common, private businesses administer grant programs to benefit specific communities and social missions. A popular private grant is the WomensNet Amber Grant, which awards $10,000 to a woman-owned business each month. Hello Alice Grants Working with our partners, we directly administer grant programs that connect entrepreneurs with funds, mentorship opportunities, and other resources to help their small businesses launch and grow. Every applicant also gets free access to our suite of how-to guides, personalized resources, and a community of more than half a million small business owners. Where to Find Grants There are thousands of grant opportunities; look for grants specifically suited to your business. Here are some resources to help you find the needle in the haystack: Grants.gov This database is your go-to resource for grant money from the United States federal government. Grants.gov allows you to search thousands of grant offers from federal agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, and others with billions of dollars in grant funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs. Visit the Grants Learning Center for resources and information to help you apply for government grants. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) The are 62 SBDCs spread across the United States that offer advice and guidance to local small businesses. SBDCs are a great way to find information about local, state, and federal grant programs. If you have questions or need advice about completing a grant application, SBDCs are a great resource.   Hello Alice Small Business Funding Center The Small Business Funding Center compiles all the best grants from around the web — including government and private grants — and organizes them in one place. A free Hello Alice account grants anyone access. Hello Alice Newsletter Finally, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to be among the first to hear about newly announced grant programs, as well as other small business resources. Are Grants Taxable Income? In general, yes, grants are considered taxable income. Typically, you include a small business grant, whether from a private or government source, as part of your annual gross business income and taxed accordingly. Finally, if you receive a small business grant, it’s always a good idea to double-check with the grantor and consult a tax professional for definitive advice. How to Qualify for Small Business Grants The qualifications for a grant vary depending on the program.  Most often, grants target a particular industry or demographic. For example, many government grants specify that applicants work in a particular industry relevant to the granting agency’s mission. Other programs might seek to benefit New Majority groups that have historically lacked access to traditional funding opportunities, such as women, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Always read a grant’s eligibility requirements to determine if you qualify for the program. Additionally, many grants limit their eligibility to small businesses. What counts as a small business? Government programs typically adhere to the SBA’s “size standards,” which define a maximum revenue or employee count for different industries. Private/nonprofit grants will sometimes establish similar definitions for a small business to ensure funds go to small businesses that will benefit most. Can I Get a Grant for a New Business? Again, it depends, but grant programs usually judge applicants based on their proposed use of funds. Established businesses that are able to lay out a clear plan for how the grant will be put to use have an upper hand on new businesses that are just starting out.  How to Apply for Grants Your grant application tells the story of your business and explains how you’ll put the funds to use.  Every program is different, but the answers in a successful application will align with the goals of the overall program. For example, if the program helps restaurants expand outdoor dining, address your plans for that in your application. Grant applications typically include the following details: Mission statement Company background Leadership team Projected budget/use of funds Short-term and long-term business plan or goals A successful grant application uses these details to make a compelling case for how your small business uses the funds. Additionally, because many grants exist to make a positive impact on local small businesses and reward innovation, try to set yourself apart from the crowd by providing a specific vision for what the grant makes possible. Finally, a good application presents a plan for the funds, a team to execute it, and a way to measure success. Looking for more tips? Review Hello Alice’s step-by-step Write a Winning Grant Application guide for an in-depth explanation of what grant reviewers are looking for. For more small business tips and inspiration create a free account on Hello Alice or subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

We’re proud to announce the 2023 recipients of the Invest in Progress Grant made possible by Sage and The BOSS Network! Sage is investing $1.5 million over three years with The BOSS Network to fuel the growth of small businesses founded by Black women. These recipients share a commitment to their communities, a passion for their businesses, and a desire to grow their professional skills.  All recipients will receive a $10,000 grant, as well as one year of monthly mentorship through the BOSS Business University, an online program that helps Black women successfully start and grow a business. Do you need funding for your small business? Visit the Hello Alice Funding Center to view our current grant programs and subscribe to the Hello Alice newsletter to stay up-to-date on future programs and funding opportunities.  Congratulations to the 25 latest recipients of the Invest in Progress Grant:

When Hello Alice surveys our community of more than 1 million small business owners, access to capital consistently ranks as a significant barrier to growth.  We’re proud to work with our partners to provide thousands of small business grants each year to help entrepreneurs grow their companies. As we head into 2023, we want to look back and recognize the latest batch of dreamers named Hello Alice grant recipients this year. Hello Alice 2022 Small Business Grants Stats Hello Alice and its partners awarded 1,008 business grants in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In total, that adds up to $12,873,000 of grant funding distributed in 2022. In addition, our partners offered mentorship, advertising credits, educational resources, and other forms of support as part of certain grant programs. Recipients told us these grants would be used to fund: general operating expenses, utilities, rent, permits, licenses, and/or cost of goods sourcing or expanding inventory marketing/advertising developing a new product or service hiring new employees 2022 Hello Alice Small Business Grant Recipient Demographics Our grant recipients strongly represent all identities and backgrounds that make up the New Majority of small business owners. Specifically, our 2022 recipients are: 75% Female 80% BIPOC 12% LGBTQ+ 23% military affiliated 16% have a disability Full Recipient List of 2022 Hello Alice Grant Programs To learn more about each unique grant opportunity and past recipients, check out the full list and links below: The Accelerate(Her) Fund sponsored by Tiger Global Impact Ventures The Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program Amazon Black Business Accelerator Connect Amazon Black Business Accelerator (Round 3) Antares REACH Grant Beyond Yoga BGE 2022 Round 1 BGE 2022 Round 2 The BOSS Network and Sage's “Invest in Progress” Grant Democratizing the Friends & Family Round Grant DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund (Winter 2021) DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund (Spring 2022) Driving Small Business Forward with Progressive® Commercial Insurance eBay Up & Running Grant 2022 The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch 2022 FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund KKR Small Business Builders for Female Founders (Round 7) Local Business Support Fund Small Business Growth Fund 2022 (Round 1) Small Business Growth Fund 2022 (Round 2) Small Business Growth Fund 2022 (Round 3) Sonoma County Alliance Small Business Opportunity Fund More Resources for You Visit the Small Business Funding Center to find new grant opportunities and lending options, including: $25K Small Business Growth Fund, accepting applications until January 6, 2023, from high-growth small businesses $10K Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, accepting applications until December 30, 2022, from restaurants impacted by natural disasters like fires, floods, and hurricanes Ready to see your name among the list of recipients? Join Hello Alice for free today to be the first to hear about new grant opportunities. Members can complete their profiles and check their Hello Alice dashboards to receive updates about the latest opportunities and solutions for their businesses.

Are you a woman-founded small business in the food and beverage industry? Would $15,000 help you support your business and better serve your customers?  Hello Alice and Stacy's Pita Chips have partnered for a new grant fund just for you. All you need to do is apply! What is the Stacy's Rise Project? Hello Alice and Stacy's Pita Chips have partnered to offer the latest iteration of the Stacy's Rise Project. Created to help bridge the funding gap for founders, the Stacy’s Rise Project has been connecting and empowering small business owners for years. But Stacy’s Pita Chips wasn’t always a household name. Marketing, mentorship, and monetary support helped this brand rise from a humble sandwich cart to the nation’s supermarkets. And it’s these same resources that today’s entrepreneurs need to succeed — now, more than ever. The Stacy's Rise Project will award $15,000 grants to 10 women-founded small businesses in the food and beverage industry. For chef Jocelyn Ramirez (pictured above), founder of LA-based Toto Verde and a 2021 Stacy's Rise recipient: "This funding will be used towards our launch efforts for our first plant-based product line of seasoning, helping our community in making more easy delicious, and culturally relevant meals at home." What will $15k help you accomplish? We want to know! Who is eligible for this grant funding?  To be eligible, applicants must: ​​Be a for-profit U.S.- based business selling a consumer packaged good (CPG)Be at least 50% woman-founded (based on original founding, not current investment ownership)Have annualized sales of between $25,000 and $1M. Other eligibility criteria include:  Must be willing to participate in a virtual mentorship programMust not be part of an accelerator program at the time of participation For a full list of eligibility criteria, see the terms and conditions. When is the deadline?  Applications open now through October 21, 2022, at 6 p.m. ET. Apply now! Hop over to our funding center to find even more funding opportunities.

Hello Alice, the free platform helping over one million small businesses launch and grow, today proudly announced the launch of the Hello Alice Small Business Mastercard as it broadens its suite of inclusive capital products. In partnership with Mastercard, the exclusive payments network, and First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), the card offers small business owners industry-leading accessibility to tools and services including expert business advice, powerful business insights, cashback, and a unique rewards program featuring the ability to earn points by completing business-advancing activities on the Hello Alice platform. "We designed the Hello Alice Small Business Mastercard to meet the needs of small business owners where they are, breaking longstanding barriers to mentorship, access to credit, and overall financial health for those who have traditionally been denied access," said Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz, co-founders of Hello Alice, "In times of economic boom and bust, access to capital remains the leading challenge for all small business owners, and particularly for New Majority owners, which is why we continue to focus our efforts on expanding the capital continuum beyond our existing grants and loans programs." To maximize capital accessibility for all small business owners, the Hello Alice Small Business Mastercard will be offered as a traditional credit card as well as one with additional provisions to help with credit-building. For business owners with a limited or poor credit history, the credit-building credit card provides cardholders full card benefits while they improve their credit. In as few as twelve months, small business owners may, subject to credit approval, seamlessly graduate from a secured to an unsecured card, a unique feature in the market. "Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, yet too often face significant obstacles in securing the resources they deserve, particularly if the owners come from underserved communities," said Linda Kirkpatrick, president for North America at Mastercard. "The launch of the Hello Alice Small Business Mastercard is an important step in our mission to build a more inclusive digital economy by providing small businesses with the financial tools and capital they need to thrive, while also advancing our half-billion-dollar commitment to help close the racial wealth and opportunity gap for Black communities." The card is part of Hello Alice's larger Equitable Access to Capital program, a commitment to ensure that all small businesses have access to the capital they need to grow the sustainable businesses that power the national economy. The program provides all of the financial products, tools, and education for owners to scale their businesses, including its own grant fund providing security deposits for high-potential but credit-challenged small business owners. By 2025, Hello Alice estimates that approximately $70 million in grants could fund credit enhancements for approximately 30,000 business owners, unlocking up to $1 billion in credit access. Entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, or people with disabilities continue to face barriers to accessing the capital they need for long-term success. In the latest Small Business Capital Access Study completed by Hello Alice*, seventy-eight percent of small business owners claim access to capital is limiting their ability to manage their day-to-day operations, with Black (84%) and Multi-Racial (82%) owners over-indexing on this claim. Eighty-nine percent of owners claim access to capital is limiting their business growth potential. The added stress of the pandemic and its lasting effects continue to impact small businesses. In a recent Hello Alice survey of Black business owners, 34%** of Black owners cited raising capital as their primary obstacle in 2022. "FNBO has been committed to helping small businesses succeed for 165 years, and we are proud to partner with Hello Alice and Mastercard in this vital initiative to elevate all small businesses," said Jerry J. O'Flanagan, Executive Vice President, Partner Customer Segment at First National Bank of Omaha. Hello Alice serves a diverse community of business owners across the country. Approximately 68% of owners are BIPOC, 63% are female, and 17% are military-affiliated. For small business owners interested in learning more about the card, please visit https://hialice.co/meet-the-card. Please direct all media requests to Renee Rossi, [email protected] *Based on data compiled from 2,978 small business owners across all 50 states. **Based on data compiled from 30,500 Black business owners across all 50 states. ABOUT HELLO ALICE  Founded by Carolyn Rodz and Elizabeth Gore, Hello Alice is a free platform serving more than one million small business owners across the United States. Committed to equitable access to capital for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and entrepreneurs with disabilities, Hello Alice offers funding, education, tools, and curated opportunities. Working with enterprise business services, ecosystem partners, affiliates, and government agencies, Hello Alice provides its growing community with everything they need to grow their businesses. To learn more, visit www.helloalice.com, as well as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. ABOUT MASTERCARD (NYSE: MA)  Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. www.mastercard.com ABOUT FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA  First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) is a leader in the credit card partnership arena, with partners in a variety of industries including retail, travel, entertainment, automotive, oil, nonprofits and more. For over 60 years, FNBO has specialized in providing comprehensive credit card programs with personalized service to help its customers achieve their goals. Visit card.fnbo.com for more information.

We’re proud to announce the recipients of the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund! Each of these 13 restaurants will receive a $10,000 grant for rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies, payroll, and other essential expenses. DoorDash launched the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund as part of its ongoing five-year, $200 million Main Street Strong pledge to empower local communities. In partnership with Hello Alice, DoorDash has also developed step-by-step guides to help business owners both prepare for a disaster before it strikes and how to recover and rebuild their businesses in the aftermath. "This grant means we can finally begin improvement projects and ultimately reopen dine-in for our loyal guests who have been long-awaiting our sit-down service," says recipient Nur-E Rahman (pictured above) of Jersey City-based Bangladeshi eatery Korai Kitchen. "We are so grateful." Congrats to the recipients below, and save the date: Round 3 of the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund is currently open and closes on September 23. Apply today! Spring 2022 Recipients Winter 2021 Recipients Looking for more grant opportunities and lending options to the Small Business Funding Center to find more grant opportunities and lending options.

New Majority business owners say a key barrier to fundraising is not knowing what to expect. And we don’t blame anyone for feeling this way — fear of the unknown is real. As business owner Gwendolyn Washington told the Kaufman Foundation, “What you lack [is] the community ... a line of people who you already know who can teach you and support you.” To help break down this barrier, Hello Alice has partnered with Silicon Valley Bank to create a milestone with practical steps for fundraising preparation and all it entails. Broken down into three guides, this milestone includes actionable information to get you on the road to reaching your fundraising goals. In addition to these go-at-your-own-pace guides, we’ll also hosted three, free Ask-Me-Anything events, during which industry experts from Silicon Valley Bank answered any questions about the topics covered in each guide.  Missed the live AMAs? Check out the recordings below to catch up on how to find and secure funding for your business now! 1. Determine How Much to Raise Understanding how much money you truly need is the first step to protecting ownership of your business. Early money is likely the most expensive money you’ll take — and it’s important to ensure it doesn’t come with too many strings attached. The first guide in the milestone, Determine How Much to Raise, will help you through this crucial process. Watch the full Ask-Me-Anything, featuring Silicon Valley Bank's Sophie Nazarian, and Kristin Olszewski, founder and CEO of Nomadica, below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGUitvnSXEU 2. Design Your Pitch Deck The second guide, Design Your Pitch Deck, will help you craft a solid pitch deck to present to potential investors. Because venture capitalists and angel investors wade through hundreds of startup pitch decks every year, a complete and well-positioned deck can help your business stand out from the crowd. Watch Silicon Valley Bank's Sophie Nazerian and Micaela Amaroli, and Jennifer Richard, Principal at Bonfire Ventures, talk pitch decks below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nquMaLS2uJU 3. Negotiate and Close the Deal The last guide of the milestone, Negotiate and Close the Deal, offers direction once you’ve garnered the attention of investors. With these tips and insights, you’ll be well on your way to securing capital for your business. Silicon Valley Bank's Micaela Amaroli, and Louise Fritjoffson, founder of Martie, walk you through even more tips below. Are you ready to start fundraising and increase your capital? Time to get started! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jfoxmoX1tg For more small business tips and inspiration create a free account on Hello Alice or subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If your small business received a $10,000 grant, what would be your next big move?  That’s what we want to know from anyone applying for The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch. What is The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by Sia Scotch? Part of the Year of Small Business movement, this grant program addresses small business owners’ number one need: access to capital. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to accelerate their growth and help make 2022 the year of their small business. "The support from SIA Scotch further solidifies our purpose and mission to bring people to the table. !Muchísimas Gracias!" says Sandra Portal-Andreu (pictured above), artist and co-founder of eco-friendly company Tappas, one of twenty five outstanding recipients funded in 2021.  Who is eligible for this grant funding? Eligible businesses must: Be owned 51%+ by person(s) of colorBe a for-profit business producing less than $5M in annual gross revenueOperate and/or conduct business in at least one of the following states: CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NV, NY, RI and/or TX.NOT be an alcohol beverage retail license holder (such as a bar, restaurant, hotel, or store which sells or serves alcohol) or a business which makes alcohol Eligible applicants must: Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United StatesBe at least 25 years or older as of November 1, 2022 Be the owner or an individual who is legally authorized to bind the Business for purposes of participation in the ProgramNOT have ownership interest and/or be invested in an alcohol beverage retail license holder (such as a business or establishment which owns a license to make, sell or serve alcohol)NOT be an employee of a retail license holder Preference will be given to businesses in the food and beverage industry, such as those who offer products and services across kitchenware, glassware, barware, cocktail mixers, at-home entertaining/party planning, food trucks, cafes, food and beverage blogging, recipe curation, and more.  Additional restrictions apply. See the terms and conditions for details. Do I need to submit a new application if I applied in 2021? If you applied and were not selected as a recipient previously you are welcome to submit a new application. We will evaluate your application based on any new information and judge it against a new pool of applicants! Everyone who applies receives free access to the thousands of curated resources and a community of nearly one million small business owners on Hello Alice. When is the deadline? The application deadline is September 26, at 6 p.m. ET. Learn more and apply today! Still have questions? Read our FAQ. Sponsored by SIA Scotch Whisky. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. SIA Blended Scotch Whisky. 43% Alc/Vol. Imported by Diageo, New York, NY. Do not share with anyone under the age of 21. Restrictions apply.

Maryland small business owners can now apply for the next round of a grant program funded by BGE in partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Launched in January 2021, the BGE Energizing Small Business Grants will distribute $5 million to Maryland small business owners seeking COVID-19 relief during this second round of funding for 2022. Eligible businesses located in BGE’s central Maryland service area can apply for a grant of $20,000 each. Applicants will need to demonstrate financial need, and preference will be given to New Majority business owners disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Applications are now open until August 26, 2022, at 6 p.m. ET.  Applicants must be a for-profit business and an existing BGE electric and/or gas customer with positive BGE credit history. Other eligibility criteria include: For-profit business founded in 2020 or priorIn good standing (or on the way to) with the State of MarylandA maximum of twenty-five (25) employees Annual gross revenues in 2021 of less than $7 million USDDemonstrated need for funding to support business and serve customers If you applied and were not selected for previous rounds of the program, you are welcome to submit a new application. We will evaluate your application based on any new information and judge it against a new pool of applicants!  “Our hope is that the BGE Energizing Small Business Grants will provide much-needed help to hundreds of small businesses in our community, especially historically underrepresented minority and women-owned businesses," said BGE CEO Carim Khouzami. "This is part of a multi-layered plan to provide direct assistance to energy customers, area nonprofits, and government partners to help put Maryland back on its feet for the long-term, as the public health crisis begins to lift.” Hundreds of recipients have been announced as part of the 2021 funding rounds and first round of 2022.  Arion Long, Founder & CEO of Femly, a for-profit social enterprise that increases access to natural & organic feminine hygiene products based in Baltimore, MD, was a recipient of a 2021 BGE Energizing Small Business Grant. She says, “This funding will help our organization scale to stock restrooms and do our part to end ‘period poverty.’” Visit bge.helloalice.com to learn more about the program and apply for the grant today!