Main St. Matters FAQs

What size businesses will qualify for the Main St. Matter Grant Program?
BBB is accepting applications from all sized small businesses; however small businesses with 5 - 20 employees are being prioritized at this time due to the fact many microgrants already available have serviced businesses with 5 employees or less. 

Is the grant program only open to BBB Accredited Businesses?
The grant is open to qualified small businesses that are in good standing with BBB and uphold BBB Standards for Trust. We will consider a company's history of community involvement, including but not limited to, BBB accreditation.

What service area must a business reside in to qualify for the grant program?
Grant program award recipients must operate in the BBB Pacific Southwest service area:  Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma Counties in Arizona, and San Diego, Orange, and Imperial Counties in California.  

Are non-profits, 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 classified businesses eligible for the grant program? 
Given the high demand at this time, unfortunately, nonprofit organizations will not be eligible for the BBB Main St. Matters Grant Program.

What are the grant amounts? 
At this time, BBB Main St. Matters grant recipients will receive awards in the amounts of $500 or $1,000. We are actively seeking corporate partners and donors to allow us to offer more grants in the future. If you are interested in becoming a matching donor or making a personal contribution please connect here.

How soon will businesses be awarded the funding? 
If your company is selected to receive a BBB Main St. Matters grant, you will receive a notification via email and phone. Once you accept your award, you will receive a check by mail within the month. 

Will I receive a notification when my application is received?
Yes, you will receive an automated email upon completion of your application.

How long will you be accepting applications? 
Applications are closed as of November 30, 2020. The final grants will be awarded in December 2020.

If I don’t hear from you, when should I reach out? 
We are doing our best to assist you and your business during this trying time and want you to know that processing your application in a timely manner is a priority. If you have applied and have not received any communication via email after 5 weeks of application submission, please email yourbbb@bbbcommunity.org and indicate your business name application date in the subject line. (Ex: Pizza Planet April 1st Grant Application Status). Please also be sure to routinely check your spam folder in your email inbox.

How can I get assistance and/or accommodation to complete my grant application?
Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest provides reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in our Main St. Matters Grant application procedures.

If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us about your interest in submitting an application for the Main St. Matters Grant program at innovation@bbbcommunity.org or you can call us at 602-449-3990. Please limit the use of this number for questions related to accommodations for a disability to make sure all those who need special assistance can be helped.

Other Grants & Loans

Has your business been negatively impacted by COVID-19? BBB has done the work of compiling numerous resources available nationwide and within our service area of Greater Arizona and Southern California. 

Nationwide

SBA: Economic Injury Disaster Loan 
Federal Reserve System: Main Street Lending Program 
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2

Arizona

Small Business Success Loan
Arizona Small Business Rent and Mortgage Relief Grant Program 
Maricopa County Small Business Grant Program 
I Choose Chandler Business Hiring & Retention Program (Chandler)
Arizona Community Foundation — Small Business Relief Grants 
Arizona Community Foundation — Microbusiness Resiliency Grants 
Phoenix Commercial City Services Bill Relief Grant
LHC Resource Alliance CARES Grant (Mohave County) 
Arizona Community Foundation City of Yuma COVID-19 Small Business Grant Relief Program (Yuma) 
Gilbert Together Business Recovery Program (Gilbert)
Phoenix RISE Microbusiness Grant Program (Phoenix)

California

Women's Empowerment Loan Fund (San Diego) 
COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Fund (Orange County)
Small Business Stimulus Grant (Only available in some districts)
Escondido Small Business Grant Program (San Diego - Escondido)