If your small business has faced challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, you might qualify for the Facebook Small Business Grant. This program offers up to $4,000 in support, $2,500 in cash plus $1,500 in advertising credits—to help cover essential costs like payroll and rent.
To be eligible, your business must have between 2 and 50 employees, be operational for at least one year, and be located near where Facebook operates. The application process also asks how the grant will benefit your community, which plays a key role in approval decisions. Understanding these details can help you determine if this aid fits your needs and how to proceed with your application.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook Small Business Grant distributes up to $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to eligible small businesses.
- Businesses must have 2 to 50 employees, be operational for at least a year, and show COVID-19-related challenges to qualify[BACKGROUND].
- The grant provides $4,000 total: $2,500 cash for essential expenses and $1,500 in Facebook ad credits to boost marketing efforts[BACKGROUND].
- Priority is given to women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses located near Facebook’s operating areas[BACKGROUND].
- Applications require documents like FEIN, business license, financial statements, and a clear plan for grant usage[BACKGROUND].
Eligibility Criteria for Facebook Small Business Grants
To qualify for the Facebook Small Business Grants, your business must have between 2 and 50 employees and have been operational for at least one year.
Eligible small businesses must also demonstrate they’ve faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected their operations.
The grant program targets small businesses located near Facebook’s operating areas, providing financial aid through cash and ad credits.
Priority is given to women, minority, and veteran-run businesses, reflecting an effort to address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on these groups, especially in hard-hit industries like food services, where recovery has been slower and more complex.
This program supports up to 30,000 small businesses across over 30 countries.
Application Process: Steps to Submit Your Request
As you prepare to submit your application for the Facebook Small Business Grant, first check if your business meets the eligibility criteria, such as having 2 to 50 employees and at least one year of operation.
Next, gather all necessary documents like your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), business license, and official registration.
You’ll then need to submit your application online, ensuring you carefully follow the instructions and provide a clear explanation of how you plan to use the funds to benefit your business and community.
This monetary aid can help cover critical expenses like rent, payroll, and digital marketing, especially for people with disabilities who own or operate small businesses and often face additional barriers to accessing traditional funding sources.
Check Eligibility Criteria
Where exactly you operate and your business size play crucial roles in qualifying for the Facebook Small Business Grant.
To meet the eligibility criteria, your business must have between 2 and 50 employees, be in operation for at least one year, and be located where Facebook operates.
Additionally, you must show that your business has faced challenges due to COVID-19.
This grant targets small businesses significantly affected by the pandemic, supporting up to 30,000 entities worldwide.
Checking application availability in your area and preparing to demonstrate fund usage focused on payroll, rent, and operational expenses is essential for success.
Gather Required Documents
Although the Facebook Small Business Grant application window opens only briefly for eligible locations, gathering all required documents in advance is critical for a successful submission.
You’ll need financial statements, tax returns, proof of business location, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), business licenses, and incorporation documents.
Clearly demonstrate how the grant will cover operational costs like payroll and rent, emphasizing how funds support your workforce and local community amid COVID-19 challenges.
Prepare evidence of revenue loss or disruptions caused by the pandemic. This documentation guarantees your application stands out for these competitive grants to small businesses.
Submit Application Online
How do you submit your application online for the Facebook Small Business Grant?
First, check if applications are open in your location, as availability varies and funds are limited.
When the window opens, promptly submit your application detailing how you’ll use the grant funds to support operational costs, payroll, and community impact.
Clearly explain the challenges your business has faced due to COVID-19 and how the grant will directly benefit your operations and workforce.
After submission, expect follow-up questions during the review process.
Applying early is essential since grants are highly competitive and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Supporting Documents Required for Grant Approval
To successfully apply for the Facebook Small Business Grant, you’ll need to gather a comprehensive set of supporting documents that demonstrate both your business’s eligibility and the specific impacts of COVID-19 on your operations.
These grants require clear evidence that your business has been affected by COVID, so prepare documentation showing financial strain, operational disruptions, or challenges meeting payroll or rent.
Review the eligibility criteria carefully—only businesses operational for at least one year with 2–50 employees qualify. Organize your supporting documentation early to streamline the application process and respond promptly if reviewers request additional details or clarification during the evaluation phase.
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN): Required for tax and legal verification.
- Business license and official registration: Proof your business is legally established and compliant.
- Financial statements or records: Demonstrate COVID-19’s impact on revenue, payroll, or operational costs[FACTS].
- Proof of incorporation or partnership documents: Validate your business structure and ownership.
- Summary of community and business impact: Explain how grant funds will directly benefit your operations and local community[FACTS].
Purpose and Impact of the Grant for Your Business and Community
You gain direct support to stabilize your business operations—covering payroll, rent, and essential costs—while also helping sustain jobs that strengthen your local economy.
With a portion of funds explicitly set aside for women, minorities, and veterans, the grant addresses historic inequities and reinforces community resilience when it’s needed most.
Community Economic Support
Since small businesses serve as the backbone of local economies, Facebook’s Small Business Grant Program directly supports their recovery and sustainability amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The program allocates grants consisting of cash and ad credits to help businesses cover essential expenses and improve their advertising efforts.
- Supports up to 30,000 small businesses globally
- Provides $2,500 in cash and $1,500 in Facebook ad credits
- Helps pay payroll and operational costs
- Empowers women, minority, and veteran-run businesses
- Boosts community connections through targeted advertising
Business Operational Stability
| Resource Provided | How It Supports Stability | Impact on Community |
|---|---|---|
| $2,500 Cash Grant | Covers payroll, rent, essentials | Reduces layoffs, sustains jobs |
| $1,500 Ad Credits | Boosts marketing, attracts customers | Drives revenue, engagement |
| Inclusive Allocation | Focuses on underserved business owners | Promotes equitable recovery |
Grant Benefits: Cash Awards and Facebook Ad Credits
Businesses receiving a Facebook Small Business Grant access a significant boost—$4,000 in total support, split into $2,500 in direct cash and an additional $1,500 in Facebook Ad Credits.
This grant is designed to support small businesses through challenging times. Here are the key benefits:
- Expand Operational Budget: Utilize cash grants for essential expenses like payroll and rent.
- Enhance Marketing: Utilize Facebook Ad Credits to reach new customers.
- Stabilize Workforce: Maintain operational stability with financial support.
- Support Global Reach: Available to small businesses in over 30 countries.
- Navigate Economic Disruptions: Empowering small businesses to overcome economic challenges.
Availability and Application Timeline by Location
Facebook’s Small Business Grant program opens application windows in specific locations for a limited two-week period, starting April 20, 2020, for areas including the New York Metropolitan Area, Seattle, WA, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
You must apply promptly when your location’s application timeline starts, as funding is limited. To stay informed, enter your email on Facebook’s platform to get notifications about when your area becomes eligible.
The cash grants of $2,500 plus $1,500 in Facebook ad credits aim to support operational costs and help you reach new customers.
Additional Resources and Support for Small Businesses
While managing financial challenges, you can access a broad range of additional resources and support designed to help small businesses sustain and grow.
Beyond grants and ad credits, Facebook’s Business Hub offers virtual training, COVID-19 response tips, and tools to navigate disruptions from the pandemic.
The Facebook Blueprint program provides free e-learning to sharpen your digital marketing skills.
Outside Facebook, you’ll find government relief options like the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Local organizations, such as Advance Ohio, also offer free consultations to boost your content and social media strategy.
- Facebook Business Hub: Centralized resources, virtual training, and pandemic support for sustained business operations.
- Facebook Blueprint: Free, self-paced courses in digital marketing and social media engagement.
- Government Programs: CARES Act, PPP, and EIDL offer financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Local Partnerships: Advance Ohio and similar groups provide free consultations for content and social media planning.
- Focused Support: Dedicated programs and grants for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to promote equitable recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Facebook Give Grants?
Facebook offers funding opportunities through its Small Business Grant Program, providing financial assistance programs including cash and ad credits to eligible businesses affected by COVID-19. You must meet eligibility requirements and follow the grant application process to apply.
Is Small Business Grant Legit?
You’d think grant eligibility rules would be written in invisible ink, but they’re clear: you must meet specific criteria and follow the legitimate application process carefully. Real funding sources never ask for upfront fees. Success stories prove it’s worth applying, just watch out for scams pretending to be grants.
What Is the Secret Small Business Grant?
The secret small business grant involves discovering secret funding opportunities by researching targeted programs, following priority eligibility criteria explained clearly, and applying promptly during open windows. Use application process tips like preparing thorough documents and impactful business impact statements. Learn from success stories shared to boost your chances.
Conclusion
If you think snagging a Facebook Small Business Grant is like winning the lottery—$2,500 cash plus $1,500 in ad credits to keep your doors open and your neighbors shopping—think again. You’ve got to jump through hoops: at least a year in business, 2–50 employees, plus a heartfelt essay on saving your community. It’s almost like *being small* suddenly means *thinking big*—and competing with 30,000 other hopefuls. But hey, who doesn’t love a challenge disguised as salvation?
