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Small Business E-Commerce Grant

Cambridge businesses may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 for e-commerce, software, and/or point of sale systems. Grant applications are available starting January 9, 2023, until August 31, 2024 at 5 p.m. EDT. There is no guarantee that you will secure a grant. Grant awards are based on a business’s eligibility (loss of sales/business in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic and e-commerce need). Grant funds will be awarded on a rolling basis. It is possible that grant funds will no longer be available before the final deadline. 

May 29, 2024 update: This grant is no longer taking applications as all funds have been awarded. The City's Economic Opportunity and Development Division will be offering a similar program starting July 2024. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov.

 

Eligibility

If your answer to most of these questions is  “yes,”  you could be eligible for this grant:

  • Is your current non-franchise business located and operating in Cambridge, MA? 
  • Do you have 25 or fewer full-time employees including yourself? 
  • Did you open your business on or before March 3, 2021? 
  • Is your business still in operation? 
  • Can you provide business tax returns or profit and loss statements that your business loss sales/revenue between 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) or 2020 and 2021? 
  • Does your business need a website? 
  • Did your business not have a website prior to March 2021? 
  • Do you need an e-commerce or online ordering or booking system for your business or your current website? 
  • Do you need a new point-of-sale, scheduling, or register system that can connect to your website? 
  • Did you upgrade your business point-of sale system (including software), develop a website, or did you add e-commerce to your website after March 3, 2021? Do you have the paperwork to prove you made these upgrades? 
  • Do you need training to make sure you can update your e-commerce website on your own? 
  • Can you complete your website, e-commerce, and/or point of sale system improvements by December 31, 2024?

Businesses that are already participating in other City grant programs can still apply to the Small Business E-Commerce Grant. Some exclusions apply.

Businesses NOT eligible for this grant: 

  • Businesses not located in Cambridge, MA
  • Cambridge businesses that recently closed 
  • Cambridge business that did not open in Cambridge before April 1, 2021
  • You cannot provide taxes or sales documents that show a loss of sales/revenues between 2019 or 2020 and 2021.
  • You have received another grant from the City or other organization to develop a website, improve your website, or point of sale system.

Grant Guidelines & Requirements

Before you apply to the grant, please make sure you are eligible for it. This grant is federally-funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and there are guidelines that the City must follow.  


The City of Cambridge funds the E-Commerce Grant with American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the federal government. Federal guidelines require that we obtain the following information from all applicants to the Program. This information is used by the City to determine the eligibility of the applicant under ARPA guidelines and is not shared with an outside party.  

Proof of eligibility: 

Provide the Cambridge business 2019 OR 2020 and 2021 business taxes, profit and loss statements. You must provide 2019 or 2020 AND 2021 sales/tax data for this grant. Businesses that cannot provide business tax or sales data will not be eligible.   

Business must be compliant with all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to zoning, licensing, and permits 

If your business received a previous City COVID-19 grant, you must have completed all previous grant requirements. 

Businesses participating in the program will be required to fill out an exit survey after using the grant funds and provide program staff proof of correct use of the grant funds. If a business does not provide proof of grant use, they may be required to return the funds to the City.  

 
Note: The use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose. Although cannabis businesses are permitted in the City of Cambridge, the Small Business E-Commerce Grant is a federally-funded program, so cannabis businesses are not eligible for the program. 

Documentation Needed

Prepare these items before you apply for the grant:

  1. Provide the business 2019 (pre-pandemic) or 2020, and 2021 profit and loss statements or other business sales documentation. 2020 tax documentation is only needed if the business was not open in 2019. If you do not have loss of sales, you are not eligible for this grant.

  2. Prepare documents to show what you want to use the grant for.  

    If you have not made website or point of sale improvements, here are some examples of what you can attach to your application:
    • An estimate from a web developer or other provider to design, upgrade your website, and/or train you on how to update your website. 
    • A picture or document showing the cost of a new point of sale/booking/registration system. 
  3. If you have already made upgrades to your website or point of sale improvements, here are some examples of what you can attach to your application: 
    • The invoice and proof of payment from a web developer or other provider to design, upgrade your website, and/or train you on how to update your website.
    • The receipt or proof of payment from the company you bought your new point of sale/booking/registration system. 

  4. Have a list of all other COVID-19 grants/loans you received and what you used the money for.  
Incomplete applications will be denied. 

How to Apply

As of May 29, 2024 this program is closed as all funds have been awarded. 

Contact smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov for questions.

Need Help Applying?

Staff are happy to answer questions and assist business owners with filling out the application. Interpretation services are available upon request.  

  1. Phone: 617-349-7223 (Interpretation services are available upon request.) 

  2. Email: smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov  

  3. In person: Monday-Friday, Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway. Appointments can be made by phone at 617-349-7223 or by email at smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov.  

Background

The Cambridge Small Business E-Commerce Grant is a special grant program providing relief to local, for-profit businesses  impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible small businesses can receive up to $4,000 for e-commerce, software, and/or point of sale systems. The goal of this grant is to help local Cambridge businesses remain competitive as there was an increase in online ordering and shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. 

This grant is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Visit the ARPA Business Dashboard to see more information about past grants.

FAQs

I received a previous COVID-19 grant from the City. Can apply to this grant too?

Yes. But if your previous grant agreement includes funding a website or point of sale system, you are not eligible for this grant.

I already received a grant from the City of Cambridge in 2020 and/or 2021. Can I still apply to this grant?

  • Franchise or chain businesses.  
  • Non-profits 
  • Businesses with more than 25 full time employees, including the owner.  
  • Cambridge businesses that have outstanding invoices/fees to the City of Cambridge. 
  • Cambridge residents with businesses located outside the City of Cambridge. 
  • Applicants who are not in compliance with any federal, state or local laws or regulations, including those pertaining to zoning and licensing. 
  • Cambridge businesses who already received a grant from the City for their website between 2020-2022.  

What can a business use the grant for?

The grant can be used for the following business expenses paid for or will be paid for between March 3, 2021 and December 31, 2024: 

  • The development of a business website 
  • Addition of e-commerce to an existing business website 
  • Training to keep your website and/or e-commerce information updated 
  • Purchase of a new point of sale system (includes equipment and software) that connects to your website 

What is the application review process?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline of August 23, 2024 or until the funds run out (whatever is sooner).

What documents will I need to attach to my application?

  • Proof of negative impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic - Cambridge business 2019 OR 2020 and 2021 taxes, profit and loss statements. You must provide 2021 financial information.  
  • Documents to show what you want to use the grant funds for:
    • If you have not made website or point of sale improvements, here are some examples of what you can attach to your application: 
      • An estimate from a web developer or other provider to design, upgrade your website, and/or train you on how to update your website. 
      • A jpg file or document showing the cost of a new point of sale/booking/registration system.
    • If you have already made upgrades to your website or point of sale improvements, here are some examples of what you can attach to your application:
      • The invoice and proof of payment from a web developer or other provider to design, upgrade your website, and/or train you on how to update your website. 
      • The receipt or proof of payment from the company you bought your new point of sale/booking/registration system. 

Can I use these funds to pay for any business expense from any time?

No. These funds may only be used for e-commerce business expenses between March 3, 2021 - December 31, 2024.

I already received a grant from the City of Cambridge in 2020 and/or 2021. Can I still apply to this grant?

Yes. But if your previous grant agreement includes funding a website or point of sale system, you are not eligible for this grant.

Is this grant taxable?

Yes. You will receive a 1099 Form from the City.

What types of small businesses are eligible?

Cambridge-based non-franchise/chain for-profit businesses that provide goods, services, and programs to the public are eligible for this grant.

When will I get my funds?

Once a business receives an award notification, it can take up to 4-6 weeks for a grantee to receive funds. Funds will be delayed if program staff do not receive the correct documentation from the business owner. Grant funds will be awarded and distributed on a rolling, first-come, first-serve basis until the funds run out or by the August 23, 2024 deadline.

I do not have paperwork showing loss in sales. Am I still eligible?

If you are not able to provide any of the following documentation, you are not eligible for this grant:

  • 2019 OR 2020, and 2021 profit and loss statements 

  • 2019 OR 2020, and 2021 business tax returns.

I am a Cambridge resident, but my business is in another city. Can I apply?

No. This grant is for businesses located in Cambridge.

Can this grant be used for personal expenses?

No, this grant is for business e-commerce expenses only.

I need help applying. Can someone help me?

Yes. Please contact Economic Opportunity and Development  staff at smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov or leave a message at 617-349-4637 and someone will get back to you about scheduling an appointment. Interpretation and translation services can be made available.
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