The East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) has launched the Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund to provide one-time grants to diverse small businesses in Oakland. The fund aims to enhance the resiliency of businesses facing economic and community safety challenges or to prepare them for further capital investments. This program is part of EBCF’s broader mission to foster an inclusive and equitable economy, focusing on empowering communities of color and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Oakland’s neighborhoods.
Eligible businesses must have at least $50,000 in gross annual revenue and have operated for at least two years in priority neighborhoods such as East Oakland, Eastlake, Fruitvale, West Oakland, and parts of Downtown, as identified by OaklandDOT’s Geographic Equity Toolbox. The fund prioritizes businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian & Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southwest Asian, North African (SSWANA), women, transgender, and non-binary entrepreneurs. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship due to community violence or other economic pressures and must not have previously received funding from this program. Ineligible businesses include those primarily selling alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, pharmaceuticals, or firearms, as well as real estate and rideshare companies.
Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 during the first funding round, running from November 2024 to April 2025. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with monthly reviews conducted by a Community Advisory Committee. Applicants will be notified of decisions within a week of each monthly deadline, and funds are typically disbursed within 6-8 weeks after approval and verification.
To apply, eligible businesses must complete the online application form. The process involves submitting required documentation, returning a signed Grant Agreement Form, and verifying banking information. EBCF collaborates with a diverse network of partners to ensure equitable funding and support for Oakland’s small business ecosystem. Subsequent funding rounds are anticipated in Spring 2025.
