Facebook Introduces Small Business Grants Program: Applications Available April 22

Facebook recently announced that it has created a Small Business Grants Program to help support small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. As part of the Small Business Grants Program, Facebook is offering $100 Million in cash grants and ad credits to up to 30,000 eligible small businesses. Information about the Facebook Small Business Grants Program and who can apply can be found below.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS AND/OR AD CREDIT

In order to apply for Facebook’s Small Business Grants Program your business must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a for-profit company;
• Have between 2 and 50 employees;
• Have been in business for over a year;
• Have experienced challenges from COVID-19; and
• Be in or near a location where Facebook operates which is limited to the following cities/areas:
• Altoona, IA/Polk County
• Ashburn, VA/Loudoun County
• Atlanta, GA/ Fulton County
• Austin TX/ Travis County
• Boston Area, MA
• Chicago, IL/Cook County
• Dallas, TX/ Dallas County
• Denver, CO
• Detroit Area, MI
• Eagle Mountain, UT/Utah County
• Forest City, NC/Rutherford County
• Fort Worth, TX/ Tarrant County
• Huntsville, AL/Madison County
• Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
• Los Lunas, NM/Valencia County
• Miami, FL/Miami-Dade County
• New Albany, OH/Franklin County
• New York Metropolitan Area
• Newton County Area, GA
• Northridge, CA
• Papillion, NE/Sarpy County
• Pittsburgh, PA/ Allegheny County
• Prineville, OR/Crook County
• Redmond, WA
• Richmond Area, VA/Henrico County
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Seattle, WA/King County
• Washington D.C.

Additionally, certain restrictions apply if your business is owned by or connected to Facebook or Ureeka, Inc.

WHEN AND HOW CAN YOU APPLY

Applications for the Facebook Small Business Grants Program are available on a staggered basis depending on the location of your business. Applications are available as following:

• Iniital – For businesses located in New York City, NY and Seattle, WA;
• April 20th – For business located in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA; and
• April 22nd – For all other businesses.

Once the application is available in your area, in order to access the application you will need to follow the following steps:

1. Click here;
2. Click on the button that says “See Available Locations”; and
3. Follow the instructions to select your applicable location.

Please note that applications are only available for 2 weeks from the period they become available for your area.

INFORMATION/DOCUMENTATION YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY

To complete your application for the Facebook Small Business Grants Program you will need the following information/documentation:

• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN);
• Organizational Documents;
• Business license, if applicable;
• Official registration, if applicable;
• A brief summary of your business; and
• A brief summary of how you intend to use the grant money.

LIMITATIONS ON HOW FUNDS CAN BE USED

If you receive a grant or ad credit from the Facebook Small Business Grants Program, you will be prohibited from using any of the grant funds or ad credit for the purpose of furthering any business activity relating to the production, development, promotion, sale or distribution of:

• Tobacco, vaping and related product;
• Recreational drugs, or unsafe supplements;
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives;
• Adult products or services;
• Penny auctions;
• Multilevel marketing models;
• Third-party infringement payday loans;
• Paycheck advances;
• Bail bonds;
• Discriminatory advertising;
• Religious advertising;
• Social issues, elections or politics;
• State lotteries;
• Cosmetic surgery or similar procedures;
• Weight loss products and plans;
• Real money gambling;
• Alcohol; or
• Illegal products or services.