Small Business
Resources
Browse featured resources or jump to:
Funding | Trainings & Workshops | Advising & Consulting | Credit Repair
Featured
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Working Solutions Small Business Loans
As a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Working Solutions offers loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to small business owners in Northern California.
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San Francisco’s D10 Small Business Revolving Loan Fund
Working Solutions and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, with the support of the D10 Implementation Committee, are providing loans and free consulting to start-up and early-stage businesses in San Francisco’s Supervisorial District 10. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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City of Berkeley COVID-19 Resiliency Loan Program
Working Solutions administers the City of Berkeley's COVID-19 Resiliency Loan Program, which is funded by the Economic Development Administration and provides low-interest loans coupled with free consulting to businesses in Berkeley that have been impacted by the pandemic.
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The Good Money Guide
The Good Money Guide helps entrepreneurs in all stages of business identify and prepare to seek funding from organizations that are locally-based, mission driven, and committed to local reinvestment, and that avoid harmful or extractive products and unfair or misleading practices and pricing.
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California Green Business Certification
The California Green Business Network helps small to medium sized businesses implement strategies to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. Green Business Certification allows businesses to make their communities healthier and more livable while also conserving resources and saving money. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Funding
As a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Working Solutions offers loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to start-up and early-stage businesses in Northern California. No minimum credit score, no prepayment penalties, and every loan is paired with free consulting.
Working Solutions and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, with the support of the D10 Implementation Committee, are providing loans and free consulting to start-up and early-stage businesses in San Francisco’s Supervisorial District 10. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Working Solutions is administering the City of Berkeley's COVID-19 Resiliency Loan Program, which is funded by the Economic Development Administration and provides low-interest loans coupled with free consulting to businesses in Berkeley that have been impacted by the pandemic.
The Good Money Guide helps entrepreneurs in all stages of business identify and prepare to seek funding from organizations that are locally-based, mission driven, and committed to local reinvestment, and that avoid harmful or extractive products and unfair or misleading practices and pricing.
If your business is outside California or Working Solutions’ loan product is not the right fit for you, use this search tool to find other CDFIs (mission-driven lenders) in your community.
The Sonoma County Community Champion Grant provides eligible Sonoma small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic the opportunity to apply for grants of $5,000 or $10,000. In addition to the grant, businesses have access to training and advising support. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds have been exhausted.
In partnership with Forward, the City of Antioch (funded by the American Rescue Plan Act), is providing facade upgrade reimbursement up to $25,000 for eligible Antioch small businesses who have experienced a negative financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
The City of San Jose is providing grants of up to $15,000 to support small businesses with outstanding rent and utility debts related to COVID-19. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted.
San Mateo County is providing support to small businesses located in unincorporated North Fair Oaks that have not received assistance from the County's COVID-19 relief programs in the past 12 months. Eligible businesses will receive grants of $5,000. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are disbursed.
Matches job seekers with open positions and reimburses employers when they hire through the program.
Capital and technical assistance to elevate Black entrepreneurs as thriving leaders in the local economy. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Grants of up to $2,000 to San Francisco businesses impacted by deliberate actions resulting in damages. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The San Pablo Economic Development Corporation offers multiple funding opportunities to support small business owners in the City of San Pablo, including Business Improvement Grants and the Nano Loan Fund. Visit their website to learn more.
The California Green Business Network helps small to medium sized businesses implement strategies to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. Green Business Certification allows businesses to make their communities healthier and more livable while also conserving resources and saving money. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Trainings & Workshops
ICA’s programs provide coaching, connections, and capital to companies that are ready to scale their operations and committed to creating wealth in their communities.
1871 & BMO Financial Group’s WMNfintech program supporting women in fintech and their startups through tailored mentorship, resources, and programming. Five startups will be selected to participate in the accelerator and mentoring initiative, free of charge. Applications are due on Monday, April 15.
Free resources and articles to help start, manage, and grow your business, covering topics such as cash flow and financial management, healthcare practices, and credit and financing.
Free, on-demand resources, videos, worksheets, and planning tools to help build your financial foundation and grow your small business.
Free virtual events and online resources to help women entrepreneurs start and grow thriving businesses.
Online financial education platform providing self-paced sessions to support small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.
Learn the basics of building or repairing your credit with free resources from HSBC, including downloadable workbooks and budget templates.
Wide range of free classes and training programs for entrepreneurs across the Bay Area, with multiple in-person locations and virtual options available.
Free webinars, on-demand videos, and other useful resources related to personal and business finances. Topics include capital readiness, banking and financial health for small businesses, money management, and retirement planning.
Free online articles and tools for starting a business, marketing, operations, and software and services.
Workshops to help you prepare a business plan, lease negotiation, customer retention, commercial loan applications, and personal finance.
Free, on-demand webinars about everything from marketing to justice reform for entrepreneurs, plus short clips about funding essentials.
Una serie gratuita y a su alcance de entrevistas cubriendo temas básicos e importantes para emprendedores sobre cómo pueden escoger la adecuada estructura legal para su negocio, planificar para el futuro, cuidar su crédito personal y comercial, y formalizar sus pequeñas empresas.
Business training and loan readiness support, with a focus on Black-owned businesses.
Entrepreneurship and financial literacy training programs, along with one-on-one business advisory services, to low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs.
In-depth business incubator that integrates business incubation, asset-building, and social responsibility to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.
Financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support for Black entrepreneurs, enabling their success as sellers in Amazon's store. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Advising & Consulting
Wide range of free classes and training programs for entrepreneurs across the Bay Area, with multiple in-person locations and virtual options available.
Supports low-income food entrepreneurs formalize and grow their businesses by providing affordable commercial kitchen space, industry-specific technical assistance, and access to market opportunities.
Reports, news, and advising for Marin County business owners, along with a forum for collaboration on improving the area's economic vitality while enhancing social equity and protecting the environment.
Free legal services to low-income entrepreneurs, including legal representation, counseling, and workshops on issues including intellectual property, entity formation, employment issues, and contracts.
Free resources on a variety of business topics including banking and insurance, along with 'Ask an Advisor' forums to get your critical questions answered by an expert.
Small business advising program featuring one-on-one advising, strategy roundtables, educational events, and promotional opportunities.
Free individualized advice and guidance regarding the formation, management, financing, and operation of your business, with many in-person locations and virtual options available.
Free, personalized, one-on-one assistance to help new and existing businesses understand and fulfill permitting, licensing, registration, and regulatory requirements and find financing and resource referrals.
Free and confidential financial guidance, in-person or virtually, for anyone living or working in San Francisco, regardless of citizenship status. Coaches are fluent in Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin, with additional translation services available upon request.
Free small business counseling, connections to expert mentors, and 8-week New Entrepreneur Training Program to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses from the ground up.
Entrepreneurship and financial literacy training programs, along with one-on-one business advisory services, to low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs.
Free, COVID-specific navigation sessions to small business owners seeking support, with a special focus on Oakland entrepreneurs.
Credit Repair
Financial education resources including webinars and virtual debt counseling to set goals, develop a budget, and discuss debt repayment options.
Guidance on debt payments, budgeting, obtaining and understanding your credit report, and accessing low-cost banking services.
Free credit counseling, home buyer and foreclosure counseling, and financial literacy education.
Free assistance to help pay off debt and avoid bankruptcy, along with guidance in designing a spending and savings plan and buying a first home.