Small Business & Non-Profits

Rural Relief Small Business Grants

  • National grant program offered by LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)
  • Eligible Small Businesses must be located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less.
  • Open Monday, September 28 to Monday, October 5
  • All potential applicants are encouraged to review the FAQ and grant information before applying.
  • Click here for full details.

SBA (U.S.) Small Business Administration Resources/Recommendations:

  • The new COVID-19 stimulus package (signed into law in December 2020) increased funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and other relief programs.
    • Click here to see a quick guide on PPP and other relief programs.
      • Please note: The Small Business Administration (SBA) has not reopened the EIDL program at this time.
  • The new PPP is open for First Draw applications, for those who did not receive a PPP loan prior to August 8, 2020. Applicants who have received PPP and would like to apply again may do so through their same lender – referred to as a Second Draw application.
  • Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan (received PPP in the past) and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses. Those applicants will also have to demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts* between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.

*Gross Receipts are defined by the IRS as “the total amounts the organization received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses.”

  • On January 11, certain lenders (Community Development Financial Institutions or CDFI’s) were permitted to start accepting applications from those who have not previously received PPP – referred to as a First Draw application for those who did not receive a PPP loan prior to August 8, 2020.
  • Beginning Friday, January 15, local, regional banks, or credit unions will be able to accept all applicants.
  • On Tuesday, January 19, all participating PPP lenders will be permitted to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.
  • Business owners interested in applying for PPP for their first or second time, should begin conversations as promptly as possible with a lender/bank/credit union they have a relationship with to begin the process or at minimum understand the timeline in which their institution plans to start processing PPP applications.

 

For a list of lenders, please click this link

For a quick rundown on PPP and other programs, click this link.

 

 

  • The PA SBDC will launch a weekly SBA Emergency Loan Webinar series. The free series is hosted every Thursday from January 14 – February 25. The series will cover the process of applying, FAQ’s, eligibility, and other helpful guides. To register for the event please view the informational flyer and click on a date, click here.

If you have additional questions, contact the YCEA team at info@yocostrong.com

 

COVID-19 Related Tax Credits

Paid Leave Tax Credits: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits to reimbursees them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for leave related to COVID-19.

Click Here for a U.S. Chamber Employer Guide to the Paid Leave Tax Credit

Employee Retention Credit: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. Please note employers who receive the Paycheck Protection Program loan are not eligible for this tax credit.

Click Here to Access a Guide on the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Free Legal Assistance for Entrepreneurs

Penn State Law is offering two free assistance clinics to Pennsylvania-based startups and small businesses. No affiliation with Penn State is required to partake in these services.

To sign up for an appointment, fill out the claim form here- https://harrisburg.launchbox.psu.edu/penn-state-law-entrepreneurship-assistance-clinic-submission-form/

  • Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic counsels innovators, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and early-stage start-ups in intellectual property strategy.
    • General intellectual property counseling
    • Patentability and trademark clearance searches
    • Drafting patent and trademark applications, and interacting with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Services are provided by appointment only.

York County Bar Assoc. to Offer Free Pandemic Consultation for Small Businesses
The York County Bar Association launched its Small Business Pandemic Assistance Program. Through this program, the York County Bar Association will offer free consultations (up to one-hour) to small businesses (under 20 employees) based in York County, on legal issues relating to the pandemic and the challenges it poses for businesses.  This is not a reduced-fee program and representation beyond the free consultation is between the business owner and the attorney.

Areas covered by the program include:

  • Bankruptcy – Commercial
  • CARES Act/PPP loans
  • Contract
  • Employment Law – including COVID protocols
  • Insurance Issues
  • Landlord/Tenant

Interested businesses are asked to complete a form on the Bar Association’s website. Anyone who fits the qualifications will be contacted with referral information.

 

SCORE Back-to-Business Advisory Team

Re-open Your Business!

Today you face unprecedented economic challenges. But as a South-Central Pennsylvania business owner restarting your business, you can have support from a team of SCORE-certified volunteer mentors: the Susquehanna SCORE Back-to-Business Advisory Team (B2BAT). Members of the team are current or former business owners ready to use their experience and know-how to help you re-start your business. Ask the team to go to bat for you by emailing our office manager, Tammi, the dates and times you’re open for a Zoom mentoring session.

Tell us the issues you want to cover:
• Cash flow
• Loan repayment
• Rent
• Competitive pricing
• Staff
• Marketing
• And more!
You set the agenda. All mentoring sessions are free and confidential.

Restart your business by calling Tammi today at (717) 845-8830 or contact her
at Susquehanna@scorevolunteer.org.

Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loan

Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

(Ref. Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19))

Insurance Coverage Issues

Many businesses have business interruption insurance; now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.

(Ref: Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19))

Changing Market Demand

Depending on the incident, there may be access controls or movement restrictions established which can impede your customers from reaching your business. Additionally, there may be public concerns about public exposure to an incident and they may decide not to go to your business out of concern of exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources Partners and District Offices have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation to help navigate any rapid changes in demand.

(Ref: SBDC)

Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA):

COVID-19 Working Capital Assistance Fund (CWCA)

3.31, 8 p.m.: Due to overwhelming demand and limited resources, the Commonwealth of PA has closed the application round for the CWCA loan fund. We encourage you to review the SBA checklist and continue to check back when that application opens.  We will also send an e-newsletter alert when more details become available. If you do not receive our e-newsletters, please drop us an email.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Launches Save Small Business Fund

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, with founding partner Vistaprint, has launched the Save Small Business Fund, a grant program to provide assistance to small businesses owners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the Foundation will distribute $5,000 grants to small employers in economically vulnerable communities in the United States and its territories.

Grant applications open on April 20, 2020. To qualify, applicants must employ between three and 20 people, be located in an economically vulnerable community, and have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will be awarded weekly on a rapid and rolling basis until all funds have been disbursed.

To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund or apply for a grant, visit www.savesmallbusiness.com.

LISC & Sam’s Club Small Business Grant Application

Grants of up to $10,000 each to women, minority and veteran owned small business owners to help meet their most immediate needs. Eligible expenses include:

  • Paying rent and utilities
  • Meeting payroll
  • Paying outstanding debt to vendors
  • Upgrading technology infrastructure
  • Other immediate operational costs

To learn more about the qualifications and apply for a grant, visit this link.

Emergency Grant Program For Farms, Processors, and Other Small Food Businesses

The GIANT Company announced today a $250,000 emergency grant program, in partnership with Team Pennsylvania, to support small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are now being accepted online through April 24 from any small business involved in growing, making or processing food within the Commonwealth. The GIANT Company and Team Pennsylvania worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Chamber, and Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association to develop the program. Details and Application Here

Kiva Program

Small businesses are already being negatively impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the United States, including many members of the Kiva community. Many of those businesses and entrepreneurs are currently looking for financial relief to survive the next trying months — and we believe the Kiva community can help. Kiva lenders have shown their commitment to providing financial assistance to all by making 0% interest loans to entrepreneurs in the U.S. on Kiva.org for the last ten years. Access to affordable capital on the Kiva platform may be the difference between shutting down and keeping the doors to a small business open.

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has global impact, and we’ll continue to explore ways to help as many people affected by this crisis as possible. Currently, the U.S. market is the place we have the most agility to deploy financial assistance.

Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to the following:

  • Expanded eligibility: More businesses in the US will be eligible for a Kiva loan than ever.
  • Larger loans: The maximum loan on the Kiva platform will increase from $10,000 to $15,000.
  • Grace period: New borrowers may access a grace period of up to 6 months for greater financial flexibility.

If you’re a small business owner who believes you can benefit from a Kiva loan, or you know one in your community, reach out to our Capital Access Managers at york@local.kiva.org

Join us at www kivaushub.org/borrower or https://www.yorkcity.org/business/kiva-york/ and apply for a loan.

The Kiva community is behind you.

How to aid small businesses:

1. Most restaurants are providing to-go and carryout, please consider ordering and supporting through them directly, or via GrubHub or Doordash

2. Shop locally, via online sites

3. Purchase large quantity gift certificates now, to be utilized later

4. Post positive reviews of your favorite local businesses on Facebook, Yelp and Google.

Non-Profit Resources & Guidelines

Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders

Community- and faith-based organizations are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in their communities. Use this checklist to protect the health of those you serve and staff in your care.

Read More

Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations

Created to know the needs of nonprofits so that they can advocate on state and federal level on behalf of nonprofits. You don’t have to be a member to complete the survey.

Read More

Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

Read More

PA's Shared Work Program

A Shared-Work plan allows an employer to temporarily reduce the work hours of a group of employees and divide the available hours equally rather than laying off any employees. Employees covered by a Shared-Work plan receive a percentage of their Unemployment Compensation (UC) Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), while they work the reduced schedule, if they are otherwise eligible for UC.

Read More

"Slow the Spread" WellSpan Grant

WellSpan Health is providing emergency community partnership grants to help support community partners during this time of need.

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, WellSpan is offering a streamlined request process for organizations in WellSpan’s service area that have identified an emergent need impacting the populations they are serving as a result of or related to this pandemic.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received.

 

Read More

Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings

Before and During an outbreak the CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more.Read More

How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19

The National Council of Nonprofits has shared insights about how nonprofits can utilize the new federal legislation concerning coronavirus to advance their missions.

Read More

York County COVID-19 Response Fund

The York County Community Foundation has partnered with the United Way of York county, as well as other partners, to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations during this crisis.

Read More

Email Security/Risk & Technology Assistance

Businesses should take heightened care for phishing emails, as scammers are beginning to target both individuals and businesses with fake emails from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization. The best defense is to keep your tech up to date, don’t download software or click links from unknown people, and stick with authoritative sources for news on important topics.

(Ref. Attackers Expand Coronavirus-Themed Attacks and Prey on Conspiracy Theories)

 

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis continues to evolve and as a local business invested in the community we wanted to reach out, and let you know that LogMeIn is offering free emergency remote work kits to eligible organizations in the following categories: municipalities, health care providers, education institutes and non-profit organizations. The emergency response kit includes resources to host web meeting, virtual events, provide system access and support remotely.

Guidelines

YoCo Strong Restart 2021- COVID-19 Funding Grant

As of 10/26/2021

Overview:
To support small businesses and nonprofits in York County, the County of York has allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide recovery grant funding through the YoCo Strong Restart Fund Grant 2021 (Restart), administered by the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA).

The Restart program will provide financial support to businesses and nonprofit organizations recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to support expenses such as rent, utilities, equipment, from June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Full details can be viewed in the eligibility guidelines herein.

Multiple for-profit entities with common ownership, defined as ownership of 20% or more, are eligible to apply, but the Restart program will prioritize exhausting all funds to individual applicants before multiple awards may be eligible, given that it is anticipated that demand will exceed total available funding.

Applications are eligible from the following applicants:

  • For profit business corporations with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at the time of application submission. The business must have been established as of July 1, 2021 and with less than $3 million in annual gross revenue.
  • Nonprofit corporations with 75 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at the time of application submission. The nonprofit must have been established as of July 1, 2021 with less than $3 million in annual gross revenue.

Grant awards for applicants that began operations prior to December 31, 2020 will be based on 2020 revenues from tax returns. For applicants incorporated on or after January 1, 2021, a year-to-date 2021 Profit & Loss statement is acceptable, additionally applicants will be asked to provide eligible documented expenses, and compared with other COVID-19 relief assistance received.

 

Grant Award Tiers based upon Gross Annual Revenues

  • Annual Revenue of up to $100,000 = up to $5,000 Grant (no minimum)
  • Annual Revenue of $100,001 - $500,000 =  up to $10,000 Grant  (no minimum)
  • Annual Revenue of $500,001 - $1,000,000=  up to $15,000 Grant  (no minimum)
  • Annual Revenue of $1,000,001 - $3,000,000= up to $20,000 Grant  (no minimum)
     

Please apply for what you need based upon guidelines to support eligible expenses between June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The Restart program is intended to support the negative economic impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be required to submit documentation in the application, processing and expense phases of the process. If you are awarded a Restart grant and fail to utilize the funds for eligible and contracted expenses, you will be required to return funds upon the program audit process.

Grant award amounts may change at the discretion of the program administrator to accommodate the availability of funding and the program demand.

Eligibility:

Small Businesses- established as of July 1, 2021

  • Grant awards ranging from up to $20,000 based on revenue tiers.
  • Must be in operation and with revenues as of at the time of application with no intent of closing, with primary operations occurring in York County.
  • $3M in annual gross revenue or less, based upon 2020 tax returns provided at time of application. For applicants that incorporated after January 1, 2021, please use your 2021 year to date profit and loss statement.
  • Must have 50 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Employees or fewer at the time of application. A helpful FTE calculator may be found at: https://toggl.com/track/fte-calculator-employee-cost/
     

Nonprofits- established as of July 1, 2021

  • Grant awards ranging from up to $20,000 based on revenue tiers.
  • Must be in operation and with revenues as of at the time of application with no intent of closing, with primary operations occurring in York County.
  • Available for nonprofit organizations with $3M or less in annual revenue based upon 2020 tax returns provided at time of application. For applicants that incorporated after January 1, 2021, please use your 2021 year to date profit and loss statement.
  • Must have 75 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Employees or less at the time of application. A helpful FTE calculator may be found at: https://toggl.com/track/fte-calculator-employee-cost/
  • Eligible applicants based in York County, with a primary service area of York County.
  • Will be required to submit a most recent 990. Applicants will self-certify that their primary service area is within York County.
  • Eligible nonprofit applicants must be incorporated as 501c3, 501c4, 501c6, and 501c19
     

Nonprofits that received a direct allocation from the County of York allocated August 18, 2021, are not eligible to apply for YoCo Strong Restart funds. If you received an allocation in 2020 under the CARES funding, you may still apply. A list of those nonprofit organizations with a direct allocation is here.

Small Business and Nonprofit applicants established as of July 1, 2021 must describe how COVID-19 has negatively impacted their corporation and will have to provide total gross revenues, eligible documented expenses, and any other COVID-19 relief assistance received.  For Small businesses and nonprofits, when providing gross revenues, this should not include COVID relief funding. Revenues are based on the IRS tax form definition: Gross Sales (less any returns and allowances) as reported on Line 1.c. on both the 1120 (corporate return, 1120S (S-Corp return), on IRS Schedule C for single member LLC and sole proprietorships, Line 3 and on IRS form 1065 line 1c for partnerships. For Non-Profit applications, please revenues are based on the IRS 990 form, Part VIII, Column A, Line 12.

(For instance, Business A’s 2020 revenues were $250,000 on line 1c of their tax return and Business A received PPP for $10,000, Business A’s revenues should remain $250,000 not $260,000.)

Multiple entities with common ownership, defined as ownership of 20% or more, are eligible to apply, but the Restart program will prioritize exhausting all funds to individual applicants before multiple awards may be eligible, given it is anticipated that demand will exceed total available funding.

All applicants must be current and in good standing on all tax payments

and not have any tax liens against the business property. This can include, but is not limited to:

  • Municipal Property Tax (i.e Borough, Township, City etc.)
  • County Property Tax
  • School District Property Tax
  • County Hotel Tax
  • City Business Improvement District Tax
     

Applicants will be asked to select and describe how their business or nonprofit was impacted by COVID-19 in any of the following areas:

Closure

Reduced operations

Employee layoffs

Customer decline

Revenue decline

Increased expenses

 

2019 Business Quarters are defined as such:

Q1 2019: January 1 - March 31

Q2 2019: April 1 - June 30

Q3 2019: July 1 - September 30

Q4 2019: October 1 - December 31

 

2020 Business Quarters are defined as such:

Q1 2020: January 1 - March 31

Q2 2020: April 1 - June 30

Q3 2020: July 1 - September 30

Q4 2020: October 1 - December 31

 

2021 Business Quarters are defined as such:

Q1 2021: January 1 - March 31

Q2 2021: April 1 - June 30

Q3 2021: July 1 - September 30

Q4 2021: October 1 - December 31

 

Documents Required: must be in an electronic form for online upload, such as JPEG or PDF. Other Items can be requested.

For-Profit Entities:

Sole-Proprietor/Single Member LLC:

  • Full 2019 and 2020 Tax Returns, including Schedule C or Schedule K-1. (This requirement does not apply if the business began operations on or after January 1, 2021. Additional documentation to establish business ownership may be required.)
    • If the applicant was in operation before January 1, 2021 and cannot provide the required tax returns or evidence of an extension granted at the time of the application submission, the business will be ineligible.
  • For businesses established on or after January 1, 2021, please provide 2021 Prepared Profit and Loss statement as of September 1, 2021
    A copy of official filing with the Department of State or local municipality must be provided in electronic format for upload, such as PDF

    a. Articles of Incorporation
    b. Certificate of Organization
    d. Government issued Business License

  • W9
  • Business Canceled Check for Direct Deposit
  • Any form of acceptable government-issued photo ID for primary business owner or nonprofit authorized representative; must be in an electronic form for online upload, such as PDF.
  • Eligible Expense Documentation Form
  • Signed Applicant Certificate

LLC, Partnership, and Corporation:

  • Full 2019 and 2020 Tax Returns, including Schedule C or Schedule K-1. (This requirement does not apply if the business began operations on or after January 1, 2021. Additional documentation to establish business ownership may be required.)
    • If the applicant was in operation before December 31, 2020 and cannot provide the required tax returns or evidence of an extension granted  at the time of the application submission, the business will be ineligible.
  • For businesses established on or after January 1, 2021, please provide 2021 Prepared Profit and Loss statement as of September 1, 2021
  • Relevant filings with the Pennsylvania Department of State and/or local municipality

a. Articles of Incorporation

a.  Certificate of Organization, or Certificate of Partnership (to the extent applicable)

d. Government issued Business License

  • W9
  • Any form of acceptable government-issued photo ID for primary business owner or nonprofit authorized representative
  • Eligible Expense Documentation Form
  • Signed Applicant Certificate
  • Business Canceled Check for Direct Deposit

Nonprofit Entities:

  • 2020 IRS Form 990 or 2019 IRS Form 990 with extension. 990 exempt nonprofit organizations such as churches will need to provide exempt documentation.
    • If the applicant was in operation before December 31, 2020 and cannot provide the required tax returns or evidence of an extension granted  at the time of the application submission, the business will be ineligible.
  • For nonprofits established on or after January 1, 2021, please also provide 2021 Prepared Profit and Loss statement as of September 1, 2021
  • PA Articles of Incorporation
  • State Tax Exemption Documentation or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Determination or Affirmation Letter of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19) status.
  • W9
  • Any form of acceptable government-issued photo ID for primary business owner or nonprofit authorized representative
  • Eligible Expense Documentation Form
  • Signed Applicant Certificate
  • Organization Canceled Check for Direct Deposit
     

Use of Funds:

Use of funds must be fully detailed in application, with specific amounts and cost verification to support the grant amount request. Such items can include but are not limited to rent/mortgage agreements for the applying business, utility payments, PPE, to the extent such costs are the result of the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Payroll is NOT an eligible expense for the YoCo Strong Restart Grant Program.

  • Multiple entities with common ownership, defined as ownership of 20% or more, are eligible to apply, but the Restart program will prioritize exhausting all funds to individual applicants before multiple awards may be eligible, given it is anticipated that demand will exceed total available funding.
     

Funds must be requested to cover eligible express from June 30, 2021 through December 31, 2021 that are not being covered by other sources of COVID relief funding. Documentation for use of funds will be required for auditing purposes by the program administrator. Any unused funds must be returned to the program. Payroll is NOT an eligible expense for the YoCo Strong Restart Grant Program.

  • Rent
  • Scheduled mortgage payments
  • Insurance  
  • Utilities
  • General Business and Working Capital Expenses
  • PPE

Please provide a detailed summary and description of the reason your business or non-profit is requesting funding, and explain why these funds are critical to the economic recovery of your business or non-profit. An itemized schedule or breakdown of all costs relating to the expenditure of funds must also be included.

 

Grant Award:

Grant awards ranging up to $20,000 based upon the size in sales/revenue of the applicant. Grant funding must be used to cover eligible expenses from June 30, 2021 through December 31, 2021. Documentation for use of funds will be required for auditing purposes by the program administrator.

Multiple entities with common ownership, defined as ownership of 20% or more, are eligible to apply, but the Restart program will prioritize exhausting all funds to individual applicants before multiple awards may be eligible, given it is anticipated that demand will exceed total available funding.

Grant awards may not be used to pay the same eligible operating expenses for which an applicant previously received government COVID relief funding in the form of a grant reimbursement, or loan forgiveness. Government COVID relief funding includes, but not limited to: SBA Payroll Protection Program (PPP), SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), other SBA Disaster/Emergency Funds, PA COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) program, PA COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), 2020 YoCo Strong Restart Grant Fund or City of York COVID-19 relief program (2020 and 2021). Applicants must attest that the funds requested will not be utilized for previously government-funded COVID related expenses.

(Example: Applicant A wants to request funding to cover 6 months of rent from June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021 in the amount of $15,000. Applicant A received other sources of COVID funding in the amount of $7,500 to cover three months rent in the same time period. Applicant A should only request funding for the three months of rent in the amount of $7,500 that are not paid for by the other source of covid funding.)

Receipt of a prior Federal, Commonwealth, York County, or local government grant does not disqualify an applicant.

Grant Priorities: (NOT Exclusions)

Small Businesses
Businesses that have not received any prior public COVID support funding, (such as PPP, EIDL, Restart Round 1).

Small businesses owned and controlled 51% or more by federal definition of minority owned business (any of the following)

  • Women
  • Veterans
  • African American
  • Asian
  • Hispanic / Latinx
  • and Native Americans

Businesses impacted the most financially based on gross revenue losses. Small Business operating under the following industries with the corresponding NAICS code:

  • Hospitality / Tourism
  • Retail
  • Childcare
  • Microbreweries and Distilleries
     

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits that have not received any prior public COVID support funding (such as PPP, YoCo Strong Restart Round 1).

Nonprofits impacted the most financially based on gross revenue losses.

Nonprofits serving at least 51% of the clients residing in a Low-Mod Income household

Nonprofit with at least 25% of revenues derived from services in the following categories: food security, housing security, healthcare, childcare, workforce development.

Nonprofits serving a population of more than 51% of persons of color.

Ineligible for Businesses and Nonprofit Applicants:

  • Businesses or nonprofits that sell, produce, manufacture, or distribute any marijuana or cannabis products are not eligible for the grant program
  • Businesses or nonprofits that do not have a physical location in York County, Pennsylvania
  • Businesses or nonprofits established after July 1, 2021
  • Businesses or nonprofits that are in active default (not on a payment plan) with taxes or fees owed to the federal, commonwealth, county and local governments.
  • Churches and other religious institutions whose primary revenue is derived from religious instruction or faith-based services.
  • Businesses or nonprofits engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law
  • Businesses owned or controlled by any owner that has ever obtained a direct or guaranteed loan from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any federal agency that is currently delinquent or has defaulted within the last seven years and caused a loss to the government.
  • Financial businesses, primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks and finance companies.
  • Passive real estate companies and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns are not eligible. Real estate businesses in which the majority (>51%) of their income is rental income are also not eligible
  • Life insurance companies
    Private clubs and businesses which limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity. This restriction shall not apply to organizations designated as a 501(c)(6) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.
  • Government-owned entities or elected official offices
  • Government authorities
  • Businesses that have ceased operations with no plan to reopen.
  • Franchise businesses, regardless of whether the applicant is the franchisee or the franchisor
  • Businesses or nonprofits that spend more than 51% of their budgeted expenses engaged in political or lobbying activities
  • Businesses in which an owner of 20 percent or more of the equity of the entity is incarcerated, on probation or , on parole; presently subject to an indictment, criminal information, arraignment, or other means by which formal criminal charges are brought in any jurisdiction; or has been convicted of a felony involving fraud, bribery, embezzlement, or a false statement in a loan application or an application for federal financial assistance within the last five years or any other felony within the last year.
  • Businesses or nonprofits engaged in any illegal activity, socially undesirable or those that may be considered predatory in nature, such as pawnshops, rent to own, check cashing businesses and adult bookstores.
     

Other Grant Items to Consider

The YCEA will provide application assistance and technical support, subject to the release and indemnity set forth in the applicant certification. The YCEA staff is NOT permitted to submit the application on the applicant’s behalf.

Eligible businesses and nonprofits must agree and complete an applicant certification form at the time of submitting an application.

Applications are not first come, first served. It is anticipated that the cumulative funding request of all applications will exceed the amount of funding available to disburse. In such cases, applications will be compiled, reviewed, and scored. If funding is awarded, the applicant will be notified. A grant contract will be required to be executed prior to fund disbursement. Upon execution of a grant contract, the grant award will be transferred electronically via ACH. Upon completion of the program and all funding disbursements made, the cumulative award list will be made public in accordance with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

The application portal will open on Monday, November 1 at 9:00 a.m. (EST) and will close on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Applications will be submitted electronically only, and incomplete applications will not be accepted. This includes uploading all necessary and requested documentation.

Review of application eligibility and scoring will take place over the next several weeks, with a tentative goal of announcing grant recipients by mid December.

Unsure of where to find your NAICS code?

Use the breakdown below to find your NAICS code on your business tax forms.

If you file a Schedule C as a Sole Proprietor, enter the code from BOX B on the Profit or Loss From Business Form.

If you file a Form 1065 as a Partnership Entity, enter the business code from BOX C on the U.S Return of Partnership Income Form.

If you file a Form 1120S as a S Corporation Entity, enter the business activity code from BOX B on the U.S Income Tax Return for S-Corporation Form.

If you file a Form 1120 as a C Corporation Entity, enter the business activity code from Page 4, Schedule K, Line 2a on the U.S Corporate Income Tax Return for C-Corporation Form.

Grant Award Tiers based upon 2020 Gross Annual Revenues
Annual Revenue Grant Amount
Up to $100,000 Up to $5,000 Grant (no minimum)
$100,001- $500,000 Up to $10,000 Grant (no minimum)
$500,001 - $1,000,000 Up to $15,000 Grant (no minimum)
$1,000,001- $3,000,000 Up to $20,000 Grant (no minimum)

 

Workforce ConnectionsSubmit A Job

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Translate »