San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund

Overview

_NOTE: Due to the high number of nominees, we are not accepting applications until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience._

The San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund is a joint project of MEDA in collaboration with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) of the Mayor’s office. The Fund provides mini-grants of up to $5,000 to San Francisco women-owned small businesses for projects and upgrades that will have a transformative impact on the business’ ability to grow. The Fund is established to improve the small business environment for women entrepreneurs in San Francisco and encourage collaboration between women entrepreneurs and local technical assistance providers.

Eligible Projects

Projects eligible for funding considerations should entail investments in one of the following:

* Business operations improvements: marketing, financial/accounting, new equipment and/or technology, trainings, networking
* Visual merchandising, space improvements, and marketing: window displays, lighting, signage, layout improvement, design changes, online marketing, trade shows, other marketing and customer acquisition opportunities.

Eligible Use of Funds:

The SFWEF grant builds upon the work you have invested in your business and support projects and upgrades that will have a positive economic impact on your business' ability to increase sales and grow. Eligible uses of funds should align with your re-opening plan.

* Rent, utilities, payroll. Applicant can request up to $2,500 for this use.
* Recovery expenses i.e. technology upgrades, delivery supplies, new product offerings, etc.

Criteria for Determining Funding Amount

The review panel shall base funding awards and amounts on the following criteria:

* Potential for business growth and expansion due to the project

* Capacity and expertise of the entrepreneur
* Quality of relationship with the technical assistance providers
* Feasibility of the projects
* Impact of the grant award on the project success

All eligible applicants will be invited, on a rolling basis, to pitch their project proposal to the San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund Committee.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* San Francisco woman-owned small business operating full-time with at least 40 percent revenue in the city. Full-time is defined as 32 hours/week or at least $27,755 (32 hours at SF minimum wage) business total income; and

* Current, active relationship with a nonprofit organization that provides technical assistance to small businesses established and operating in the city of San Francisco; and
* Having completed 3 months and a total of at least 8 hours of consulting with the technical assistance provider; and
* Commitment to continue working with the technical assistance provider for at least 6 months.
* Current lease with at least 18 months remaining, if applicable.
* Confirm that you understand the grant is considered taxable income.
* The applicant is low/moderate income.
* Maximum of business gross income of $500,000 or business net income of $27,755.
* SFWEF application must be signed by nominator and the business owner.