City Announces Funds Available for Non-Profits

SAN DIEGO, CA - The City of San Diego's Community and Economic Development Department today announced it will offer approximately $100,000 in grant funding to local non-profit organizations that provide unique assistance to small businesses.

The funding is provided by the City's Small Business Enhancement Program (SBEP). This program has significantly enhanced the City's partnership with non-profit business assistance organizations. The partnership provides a broad range of direct support programs for San Diego's 50,000-plus small businesses, which are the driving force in San Diego's economy.

The grants are intended to help cultivate and further develop small businesses in recognition of their vital economic and cultural roles in sustaining and revitalizing commercial and residential areas. Helping small businesses grow and flourish helps foster the City's economic base to improve the quality of life for its citizens and business community.

Organizations interested in applying for funding should contact the City's Community and Economic Development Department - Office of Small Business at (619) 685-1390 to request an application and program guidelines. To simplify the application process, an Online Application (PDF: 140K) is available. Program applications must be received at the City's Office of Small Business by July 24, 2003, 4 p.m. The office is located at the City of San Diego Community and Economic Development Department (Office of Small Business), 1250 Sixth Avenue, 10th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Late applications will not be accepted.

A panel, comprised of members of the City's Small Business Advisory Board will review the applications. The grants will be based on not-for-profit status, quality and number of applicants received, as well as availability of funding.

Past recipients have included Able-Disable Advocacy, Inc., Alliance for African Assistance, Asian Business Association, Black Contractors Association, Inc., Engineering & General Contractors Association on behalf of the Construction Industry Coalition, Greater San Diego Business Association, Responsible Hospitality Institute, San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/ACCION San Diego, and Southwestern College.

For more information on the City's SBEP grants to non-profit small business assistance organizations, contact the Community and Economic Department's Office of Small Business at (619) 685-1390.

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With an emphasis on the City's urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.