Municipal Small Business Grant Program

Spanish Translation: Municipal de Becas para Pequeñas Empresas

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on our community and economy, including our small businesses. As we look to recovery and resilience, the City of Boise is committed to providing resources to those affected by the pandemic.

The City of Boise has earmarked $1.5 million from its allocated Coronavirus Relief Funds provided by the State of Idaho to create a grant program that provides financial relief to local businesses and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business Size: 100 employees or less
• Grant funds must cover expenses that:
  • Are necessary expenditures due to the COVID-19 public health emergency
  • Were not accounted for in the businesses’ operating budget approved as of March 17, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act)
  • Were incurred beginning June 20, 2020 and end on December 30, 2020
  • Eligible expenses not previously reimbursed by other federal, state, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or insurance programs
• Grant Amount: Eligible businesses/organizations may be awarded up to a maximum of $15,000 in grant funds.
  
  • Businesses that have received federal, state, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or insurance programs will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 between all funding sources for eligible expenses that have not been previously reimbursed.
• Business needs to have an official EIN number.
• Business must be located within City of Boise municipal boundaries
• Business must be in good standing and not federally prohibited from receiving funds.
• Business must have a qualified business interruption or expense caused by COVID-19 related incidents or decisions, including but not limited to local closure orders, need for personal protective equipment, social distancing requirements, increased costs, disrupted supply network, etc.
• The business does not exist for the purpose of advancing partisan political activities or the business does not directly lobby federal or state officials, defined as having had a registered lobbyist at any point during 2020.

*Applications are closed due to meeting our allocated budget.

The Municipal Small Business Grant application will translate the content into the language setting on your web browser. If you have any questions or need assistance filling out the applications, please contact: smallbizgrant@cityofboise.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a link to the Municipal Small Business Grant Program application?
The application can be found here.

How do I create an account?
Please follow the steps in the How to Apply Guide.

I submitted my application but need to add documents and/or made an error with the amount I requested. Who should I contact for help?
Please email smallbizgrant@cityofboise.org with the information that you need to fix. We will add the comment to your application.

I have already received federal, state, or local funding, should I deduct the difference from the maximum amount I can receive through the Small Business Grant Program? Or should I request the full $15,000 and note the funds I’ve already received?
Please request the maximum of $15,000 and include the amount received from other COVID-19 funding programs.

I am part of a national organization, but we have a local office with its own EIN, are we eligible to apply?
If the parent company did not receive federal assistance that was sent to your local office that exceeds the $15,000, then you may be eligible. Please submit an application, if there are questions, someone from the City of Boise Small Business Grant Program team will contact you for additional supporting documentation.

Can I send in a hard copy application?
Yes, you can either:

• Drop it off in person at Boise City Hall (150 N. Capitol Boulevard), please address it to Attn: Rhiannon Avery, HCD
• Mail to City of Boise, Attn: Rhiannon Avery, PO Box 500, Boise, Idaho 83701-0500.

My business is registered outside of Boise. Am I eligible to apply for the program?
Unfortunately, no. The Small Business Grants Program is for businesses/organizations located within the City of Boise.

I have a business that is operated from my house, is my mortgage eligible for reimbursement?
Unfortunately, no. That is considered debt and not eligible for reimbursement.

Invoice Specific FAQ

Can I provide a bank statement with my application as supporting documentation?
Unfortunately, no. In order to move forward with an application invoice(s) that show what is being requested, how it is applicable to the COVID-19 qualification and that the invoice has been paid.

Are invoices from the entire year eligible?
No, only submit documents for eligible items after June 20, 2020.

Are commercial rent and residential space used for business purposes eligible for reimbursement?
Only commercial rent is eligible for reimbursement. Please send documents that show that the invoice for the commercial space has been paid, either an invoice or a statement from the landlord can be accepted.

Residential space that is used for business does not qualify for reimbursement.

Can I be reimbursed for utility payments?
Yes, utilities for commercial spaces are eligible with provided documents (showing date of utility) and that it has been paid (bank statement/cancelled check).

Utility payments for residential space that is also used for the business may be eligible – please provide the breakdown on percentage of use for the business, documents showing the date of utility and that it has been paid (bank statement/cancelled check). Utilities will not be 100% reimbursed for residential business use.

Are non-COVID-19 related expenses eligible for reimbursement?
No. Mortgages, business loans, other business debts are not eligible for reimbursement.