How to Apply for Facebook Small Business Grants Program – The COVID-19 pandemic created havoc in all parts of the world from an economic and public health standpoint. This is where Facebook stepped up to provide financial relief to numerous small businesses that suffered losses as a direct or indirect result of the pandemic.
The unemployment claims in the United States increased by three million in one week and due to the quarantine mandates, a lot of nonprofit organizations, small businesses and companies suffered hectic laws. In response financial assistance programs and grants were announced by Facebook to rebuild revenue of affected small businesses. This guide will throw light on the small business Facebook grants program, and the alternative programs that you can apply for.
Highlights of this Post
What Are Facebook Business Grants?
Facebook business grants are financial assistance or support funded by the company Facebook for eligible businesses who are going through financial hardship. Besides Small Business Facebook Grants there are many other assistance programs provided by Facebook to support local businesses.
The grants help businesses to invest in growth opportunities, overcome all hurdles and attain their business goals. Facebook announces grant programs for businesses periodically including eligibility criteria in the application process.
To apply for business grants from Facebook you need to visit the official Facebook business grant website or the site of the particular grant program, follow the instructions and submit the required documents and application within the deadline.
The eligibility criteria for Facebook business grants may vary depending on the particular program you are applying for, including whether you are running a small or medium-sized business, specific industry sectors or nonprofits. The eligibility criteria will include your location, size, impact, revenue or alignment with the particular goals or initiatives stated by Facebook.
Documentation Required For Small Business Facebook Grants Program
Small business owners who applied for Small Business Facebook Grants had to submit the following documents as per the program’s official website.
- Federal Employee Identification Number
- Proof of incorporation
- Business license
- Partnership documents
- Official registration.
How Do The Facebook Small Business Grant Program Work?
Facebook designed financial support grants and programs for eligible small businesses that had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company gave cash grants and credits worth $100 million to eligible 30,000 small businesses in more than 30 countries.
The eligibility requirements require applicants to operate small businesses in the countries where Facebook operates. The business hub of the company provides numerous resources and help for small businesses including Quick Action Guide and Resilience Toolkit.
Although the Facebook Small Business Grants Program is no longer active, small business owners should stay informed about new grant opportunities in 2024, such as the Amazon Small Business Grant and the Venmo Small Business Grant, which provide significant financial support
Moreover, the company creates virtual training to assist businesses in navigating their financial hardship in response to the Coronavirus. Even though the small business grants of Facebook are not active currently the company promises to release more details about the availability of the programs in the upcoming months.
Who Could Apply For The Facebook Business Grant?
Businesses in over 30 countries will have the ability to get donations where Facebook operates. To be eligible you must meet the following prerequisites ·
- Minimum Employees size of 5-50 ·
- Must be running a company for at least a year.
- Should have experienced difficulties due to the Continuing COVID-19 Pandemic·
- Must be located in/at/near the assortment where Facebook company functions.
Eligible Countries For Facebook Business Grants
Some of the eligible countries for the Facebook grant, program are listed below:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Spain
- Mexico
- United States
Eligibility and Application Process For The Facebook Grant Program?
The eligibility criteria for Facebook Grant Program were:
- Being a majority-owned for-profit business by people from the black community.
- Be enrolled in a US state or the District of Columbia (US lands not included).
- Have between 1 and 50 employees.
- Have more than 1 year of business activity.
- Having endured difficulties due to COVID-19.
- Have plans to utilize the funds from the support program in favor of the business and the community.
Individuals who had applied for help in the context of the Small Business Support Program and have already received support will not be able to participate. You’re not required to use Facebook Inc. products in order to participate. The application procedure for the Facebook Grant Program required the following documents:
Employer Identification Number
– Proof of Company documents
– Proof of Business license
– Proof of incorporation
– Proof of Official register
The funds were paid in a combination of cash and advertising credits to companies that need help to cover operating expenses and to pay rent or their employees
Some of the items that you can cover with this financing are:
- To maintain your office or workplace
- To cover your rental expenses
- Connect with more number of clients
- To cover all operational costs
How Are Recipients Selected For Facebook Business Grants?
The selection procedure for business grants from Facebook depends on the particular grant program you are applying to. Generally, applications are reviewed periodically and evaluated based on a few predetermined criteria like the financial need of the business, impact, potential for growth, alignment with the goals of the program etc.
The selection procedure involves external panels of experts and an internal Facebook team. Facebook requires recipients of the business program to comply with the accountability and reporting requirements. Recipients have to provide reports and update documents periodically to demonstrate how the grant funding is being used for their business needs. It is important to review the program guidelines and fulfill the obligation stated.
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What Type Of Expenses Can You Cover With Facebook Business Grants?
The type of expenses that you can cover with the help of the Facebook business grants may vary depending on the particular program you are applying for and the specific guidelines outlined by Facebook. The common areas where you can use the grants are as follows:
- Business Development
- Marketing And Advertising
- Community Initiatives
- Technology Investment
- Workforce Training
- Other Areas aligned to the objectives and goals of the grant program.
The amount of funding that you can receive through Facebook business grants may vary depending on a lot of factors, however the grant programs provide a fixed type of assistance based on the particular percentage of eligible expenses. You need to review the grant program to know the funding amount available and how you can cover the expenses.
Individuals can stay informed about available Facebook business grant opportunities in their location by checking the official website or Facebook business grants periodically, subscribing to the relevant Facebook business resources or newsletters and following Facebook’s official social media channel.
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What Are The Other Alternatives Of the Small Business Facebook Grants Program?
The Facebook Small Business Grants Program is now closed and will not be accepting new applications or modifications. So it is time to take a look at the best alternatives of small business Facebook grants programs that can help your business to grow and expand.
Government Small Business Grants
Grants.gov is a comprehensive database of small business grants administered by federal agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department Of Education.
The first and foremost step that small business owners should check while applying for government grants is the Grants.gov database. You can filter your choice and narrow down the results to have a good chance of winning.
The Rural Business Development Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides financial assistance to small businesses in rural communities that help them to strengthen and grow.
Businesses must show gross revenue of less than $1 million and less than 50 employees to be eligible for the program. Your business should be located in an eligible rural America.
The SBIR and STTR grant program emphasizes the research and development of scientific research and technology innovation. Both programs help to connect the news with federal business grants and contracts from government agencies. To qualify for the program you need to operate for profitable business and have less than 500 employees.
The US Economic Development Administration offers business grants, technical assistance and resources to support economic growth and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
Small business grants can find financial assistance, recruit employees and secure locations by contacting the Economic Development Administration website. Search the Economic Development Directory to locate local resources and regional offices.
A national network of business centers run by MBDA is committed to promoting minority-owned small businesses. Such centers assess business owners to secure contracts, access capital and compete in the emerging market. The agency holds small business grant competitions to support state and local small businesses.
Financial support and assistance are provided by the Small Business Development Center for eligible small businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs.
The centers are associated with state economic development agencies or local universities and can help you to get connected to small business grants for business financial opportunities, counseling, technical assistance and training.
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Corporate Small Business Grants
The small business grant contest by FedEx provides grant awards of up to $50,000 to U.S.-based small businesses that demonstrate innovation and community impact. This grant can help businesses scale their operations and expand their reach. Businesses should have less than 99 employees and must be US-based for-profit small businesses to qualify for this contest.
To win the grant contest you need to provide an elevator pitch and prove how your business is making a positive impact on the environmental community. You’re also required to demonstrate an actual need for grant money.
A news and resource site known as Idea Cafe is designed for small business entrepreneurs. The Idea Cafe Small business grant provides assistance of up to $1000 to eligible recipients to establish the business. The community give votes to winners and help them receive awards.
Wells Fargo has designed the Wells Fargo Community Giving Grants Program for nonprofits and educational institutions. Small businesses can receive these grants year-round. The grant award may vary depending on a lot of factors and provides millions of dollars through community giving grants every year.
The Walmart company provides grants and funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations. The community grant program by Walmart is designed for local nonprofit organizations and the award differs between $250 to $5000.
The National Giving Program by Walmart is designed for small businesses and national nonprofit organizations that help them with an award of $250,000 or above. You need to showcase you are running a small business that focuses on sustainability opportunities or communities.
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Around 20 eligible small business entrepreneurs can receive grant awards over $10,000 through the Venmo Small Business Grant program.
To qualify you need to have a United States Venmo account and your business profile on Venmo should be in good standing. You should have less than 10 employees and the annual sales should be less than $50,000 to qualify for this grant program.
Besides Facebook, Amazon also provides assistance to small business companies. The small business grant program by Amazon provides grants ranging between $15,000 to $25,000 to small businesses having annual revenue of less than $1 million.
A partnership between Hello Alice and Global Entrepreneur Fund resulted in the birth of a Small Business Growth Fund that helps small business entrepreneurs grow their operations. Eligible entrepreneurs receive assistance in the range of $5000 to $25,000.
Members of the National Association For The Self-Employed Growth Grant can receive assistance up to $4000 including an annual college scholarship of $3000 for being dependent on the members. You can receive the grant year-round and cover your small business expenses.
A grant competition known as the Visa Everywhere Initiative provides free funding to startup companies across different regions. The company provides small business grants worth $50,000 to eligible winners of the competition. More grants are awarded to the second and third-place finalists, regional local winners and audience favorites.
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Small Business Hardship Grants
Etsy has collaborated with CERF+ nonprofit organizations to provide sellers with financial relief after they have been affected by our disaster.
To qualify for the small business hardship grant you need to show that you have experienced a federally declared national disaster within the last year and have an active Etsy seller account in good standing for a minimum of one year. You can receive assistance up to $2000.
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An initiative that helps small businesses recover from unexpected disasters is known as the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency program.
The Emergency Relief Funding offers assistance of up to $5000 to small businesses that have phased disaster-related losses or damages. You need to show you have less than 500 employees and are registered in the R4R database to receive this small business hardship grant.
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Business Grants For Women
Woman’s Net provides an Amber Grant that helps women’s small business entrepreneurs with a monthly award of $10,000 including two $25,000 assistance on an annual basis.
The foundation provides additional fee funding for the entire year. To qualify for this grant small businesses should file out a single application. Existing women-owned businesses and startups are eligible.
The InnovateHer Challenge is a grant program designed for women entrepreneurs and funded by SBA each year.
The winners of the program receive an award of $40,000 while the second and third-prize winners get awards of $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
It is a prestigious grant program that is given to small business women entrepreneurs who are working to solve social and women’s problems.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Award is a prestigious grant that can make a significant difference for small businesses.
Around 21 finalists selected each year will get personalized coaching, networking opportunities, media visibility and training the top seven finalists received grants of up to $100,000 while fourteen others received grants of up to $30,000.
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Business Grants For Veterans
Veterans can look for small business grants in the Veterans Business Outreach Center and apply for local grants. Each center provides training and access to different small business resources that are designed for veterans and military members in the United States.
The foundation is a reliable source for veterans to access small business grants. The foundation provides a lot of loans and grants that are run for the veterans and their spouses. The grant is provided every month to small businesses based on the social impact that their business is creating.
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Conclusion
The Small Business Facebook grants Program enabled eligible small businesses from different countries to get financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the application for this grant program is not active presently you need to check the official website of Facebook Business Grants to learn about the available opportunities and grants that can help your business to grow and expand. Besides you can also apply for the aforementioned alternatives of small business Facebook Grants Program available at the federal, state and local level and from nonprofit organizations and corporations. The amount of grant might vary depending on the program you are applying to, however small business owners can win anywhere between $500 to $5,00,000 and cover their needs.
You can also learn about Church assistance programs that Help Paying with Bills at Get Government Grants’ section today. We will help you in your difficult times and provide you the right guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was The Small Business Facebook Grants Program?
Mark Zuckerberg declared that he would provide $100 million for small businesses affected by the Coronavirus. In light of the effect the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak has had on small businesses and businesses, Facebook handed out $100 million in cash grants and advertising credits. The Small Business Facebook Grants Program helped 30,000 Covid 19 affected businesses in 30 countries around the globe. Unfortunately, Facebook is no longer accepting applications for this support program.
Are Facebook Business Grants Available Globally?
Yes, Facebook business grants are available anywhere across the globe where Facebook is operating. The availability of the program may vary depending on your region including the application procedure and the eligibility criteria. Facebook grants programs address the local challenges and support small businesses.
