COVID-19 Business Resource List
For business impacted by COVID19 that are in need of assistance, please see our Business Resource listing that provides a comprehensive list of City, State, and Federal resources that are filterable by type of business (restaurant, nonprofit, etc.) and fund type (grant, loan, etc.). This list will be continuously updated.
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What Funding is Available for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19?
There are several sources of funding available for businesses with varying guidelines.
Generally, all small business applicants may be eligible through a combination of the programs for up to $10,000 in grants, plus an additional $15,000 loan from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA). This means a small business could be eligible for up to $25,000 in grant and loan funds.
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FUND NAME
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MAXIMUM AMOUNT
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ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
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STATUS
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1. Small Business COVID19 Relief Grant
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Up to $6,000
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Up to $6,000 for CDBG eligible applicants.
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Closed. Not accepting new applicants. Please apply for #2, Recovery Grant, if eligible. Guidelines available.
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2. Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant
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Up to $10K, unless applicant received $6,000 from #1; then $4,000 for a total of $10K.
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CDBG eligible applicants
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Closed. |
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3. Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Small Business COVID19 Relief Grant
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Up to $6,000
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East Cambridge or Kendall Square small businesses.
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Open. Guidelines and application available.
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4. Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Grant
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Up to $10K; $4,000 for CRA grant recipients who received $6,000 for a total of $10,000.
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Applicants who are eligible for #1 and #2 are NOT eligible for this grant and should apply for #1 or #2.
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Closed.
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5. Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Loan - Small Business Zero Interest Loans Provided by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority"
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Up to $15,000
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Open City-wide up to $15,000
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Guidelines available. Application available.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Small Business COVID19 Relief Grant is now closed.Please apply for the Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant.To be eligible for the Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant, please see these GUIDELINES or read below:
To be eligible, people must meet at least one of the following three criteria:
- Live in a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy (NRS) area of Cambridge. Click here for a map of the NRS Area.
- Have a business in a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy (NRS) area of Cambridge. Click here for a map of the NRS Area.
- Own a Cambridge business with 5 or fewer employees, including the owner(s), who must have family incomes falling within the very low or low-moderate income ranges.
No. If you are eligible for Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant (as outlined above), then you are not eligible for the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Grant. You can only apply for one of these two funds - Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Grant or the Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant. However, you can apply for the Small Business Zero Interest Loans Provided by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority.
Please find the Guidelines HERE.
Grant applications are only available from May 14, 2020 until June 12, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. There is no guarantee that you will secure a grant nor receive the maximum amount of funds. Grant funds are based on a business’s documented proof of need. Applications will be reviewed after the June 12, 2020 deadline.
Find the application HERE.
Please find the Guidelines HERE.
Grant applications are only available from May 15, 2020 until May 29, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. There is no guarantee that you will secure a grant nor receive the maximum amount of funds. Grant funds are based on a business’s documented proof of need. Applications will be reviewed after the May 29, 2020 deadline.
Find the application HERE.
Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant:
- The program provides short-term working capital assistance to support businesses with inventory purchases (perishable and non-perishable), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) purchases or upgrades, and rent payments to enable businesses to open and ensure the retention of jobs after the severe interruption of business related to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Grant & Loan:
- Allowable business expenses may include the average rent, salaries, utilities and cost of goods, not covered by other programs
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Grant:
- Grant applicants may apply for one or more eligible working capital assistance: Commercial rent, mortgage, or other location operating license expenses; utility bills or other regular accounts payable expenses; employee wages; perishable inventory that was lost due to an interruption of business; resources to get the business established online (for example, a business needed to revamp their existing website to make delivery available to customers).
Please note: If you received or have been approved for any of the City’s grants or loans, or funds from the Small Business Administration Economic Disaster Injury Loan (EDIL) or Paycheck Protection Program, or other federal programs, you may not use these funds for the same expenses.
No, nonprofits are not eligible for these grant programs or the loan program.
Cannabis business owners may apply for a Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Grant. They are not eligible for a Small Business Zero Interest Loans Provided by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority or a Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant. Please contact the CRA regarding their eligibility for the CRA Grant (cperalta@CambridgeRedevelopment.org).
If you received a Small Business COVID19 Relief Grant, you can apply for the Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant up to an amount totaling no more than $10,000. For example, if you received $6,000 from the Small Business COVID19 Relief Grant, you can receive up to an additional $4,000 from the Small Business COVID19 Recovery Grant.
No. This grant is only available to for-profit brick and mortar retail, restaurant, and personal and professional service businesses.
No. Your business must be located in Cambridge in order to apply for this grant.
Additional Information
If you have questions about the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant or Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant, please contact Pardis Saffari at psaffari@cambridgema.gov.
If you have questions about the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund Grant or Loan for Small Businesses, please contact MDRFGrantBusiness@cambridgema.gov or call 617.349.9775.
If you have questions, about the CRA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant, please visit https://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/covid-release or contact Carlos Peralta, Program Manager at cperalta@CambridgeRedevelopment.org or 617.492.6800 x1