How to Apply for the Small Business Matching Grant Program

To qualify, commercial businesses must:

• Be in an LMI census tract; see eligibility map.
• Operate a street-level storefront
• Have annual revenue under $2,000,000
• Hold an active City of Santa Monica business license
• Have a SAM.gov clearance (you can register at SAM.gov)
• Have a record of good standing with the California Secretary of State
• Have no pending litigation with the City of Santa Monica.
• Own the property where the business takes place or have a lease in place that covers no less than 1 year after construction completion, with permission of property owner.
• Family-owned businesses with multi-generational ties to Santa Monica and businesses owned by individuals from historically marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply. 

Upon determining eligibility, please review our complete program guidelines.

Certain security enhancements qualify as eligible projects, including:

• Security improvements attached to the building, including smoke detectors, dead bolts, reinforced entry hardware, exterior cameras (installation only), and permanent roll-down security gates or grilles

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Crime Prevention team offers individualized safety assessment by request. We strongly encourage this service as a preliminary check for all applicants seeking security enhancements. 

You can request a complimentary safety assessment by email to Halima Barreto (halima.barreto@santamonica.gov) or Jacqueline Aguilar (jacqueline.aguilar@santamonica.gov).

We have adopted a fully online application process. 

You can fill out and submit your application here, including uploading any necessary attachments:

Apply Now!

Applications will be reviewed at the end of each month, on a rolling basis, until funding is exhausted. City staff will contact applicants within the first two weeks of the month following their submittal with grant approval and/or feedback. 

Once selected, there are additional steps that must take place prior to the start of the project including:

• Scope of Work Approval. This grant is offered utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Proposed Scopes of Work must be reviewed and approved by City staff to ensure project costs are eligible under this funding source.   
• Grant Agreement Execution. After Scopes of Work are approved, grantees will be asked to sign a grant agreement. This grant agreement must be fully executed by all parties before work begins.
• Environmental Review. All projects will require an Environmental Review prior to work beginning. The City will conduct this review after the Grant Agreement has been executed and will notify grantees upon completion of the review, at which point grantees may begin work on their project.