HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgmnt Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.pdfSMALL BUSINESSES GRANT PROGRAM
Proposal for the County of Fresno
SCOPE OF WORK
BACKGROUND
The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with
a mission to promote education and self -sufficiency through economic development that
strengthens our community. Since 2004, FAHF has been committed to fostering
entrepreneurship as a means towards economic self-sufficiency and empowering
women entrepreneurs to succeed in the Central San Joaquin Valley. It currently
administers two federally funded microloan programs in Fresno County offering
financing and technical assistance to low-income and underserved micro- and small
businesses. FAHF’s Loan Committee is comprised of six (6) experienced bankers
representing major global, national and regional financial institutions such as Bank of
the West, United Security Bank, Tri Counties Bank, Self -Help Credit Union, Fresno First
Bank, and Union Bank. It also owns and operates the Downtown Business Hub, a
business incubator program located in downtown Fresno that has generated over $3
million of private investment into the local economy. FAHF has a proven track record of
providing technical assistance to over 8,000 startup and existing businesses, including
its Womanpreneur and Latinapreneur programs which have been able to assist women
entrepreneurs throughout the eight county region. In addition, FAHF ha s been able to
help businesses access over to $8 million in financing that resulted in the creation
and/or retention of 12,000+ jobs.
STATEMENT OF NEED
As a result of COVID-19, small businesses have been economically impacted the
hardest. Many have closed temporarily – or permanently – due to the inability to
generate sales.
While some federal relief fund options (CARES Act) have been useful for established
businesses, many small businesses in the County of Fresno have not been able to
access these funds due to the lack of education, knowledge, and adequate preparation.
Many simply do not know the first step to apply. It also concerns our organization that
many small businesses are being offered high -cost loans from unscrupulous
companies. This debt will further deteriorate our business community.
Small businesses are struggling to make ends meet. We want to be the bridge to help
them access grant funds to navigate operations through the rest of the year. Although
some small businesses are re-opening, they are unable to operate at full capacity due
to new regulations from the state and county.
For many small businesses in our region, especially Hispanic businesses, the hope to
continue is disappearing. The shuttering of these small firms means that thousands of
jobs will also disappear so we must act now. More than ever before, small
Modern facility Offices come fully furnished
Attachment A
entrepreneurs, who have started a business with all of their personal savings and
efforts, need our help to mitigate lost income and continue providing benefit to their
communities.
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM PROPOSAL
The FAHF proposes to administer Fresno County’s Small Business Grant Program
making recommendations to the County of grant awards of $5,000 to small businesses
with 10 or less full time employees, throughout Fresno County. The operations of
this program will prioritize underserved, minority businesses that have not been able to
access any federal funding (such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)), and
are in desperate need of capital. FAHF will provide them with personalized, one-on-
one assistance through the process of submitting the grant application.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the County of Fresno’s Small Business Grant Program is to serve
as the bridge for small businesses to access grant funds and navigate operations
through the rest of the year. Although some small businesses are re-opening, they are
unable to operate at full capacity due to new regulations from the state and county
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OUTCOMES
The primary outcomes of the County of Fresno’s Small Business Grant Program are
business and job retention. FAHF will effectively and efficiently disburse grants to small
businesses, according to the grant guidelines (County of Fresno), targeted to but not
limited to minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
Grant funds will be disbursed to businesses that have not received a PPP Loan,
EIDL Loan or other CARES Act relief funding, including a County of Fresno grant.
TENTATIVE TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES (subject to change according to grant
terms and conditions set by the County of Fresno)
ACTIVITY
Program Marketing / Outreach to Businesses
Digital, television, print media, and radio marketing
campaign will begin
Direct outreach to small businesses will begin
Open Grant Application Cycle
Provide One-on-One Assistance to Submit
Application
Continue program marketing and outreach efforts
Application Review
Select Eligible Applications
Randomly Select Recipients for each corresponding
district
The grant application will be provided in English and Spanish. FAHF team members will
provide guidance and hands-on assistance to small businesses, virtually, for the safety
of all parties involved.
In partnership with The Hidden Wealth Foundation and California Hmong Chamber of
Commerce, team members will provide assistance in English, Spanish, Punjabi and
Hmong. An online platform will be used to securely upload all confidential
documentation and will store the information for any future audits. In previous
experience, we have found that small business entrepreneurs are technology
challenged and do not have experience in uploading electronic documents, making it
one of the reasons why they do not apply for such funding. FAHF will be hands-on in
assisting businesses submit the grant application.
MARKETING
Women-owned business is the fastest growing segment of the nation’s economy, and
there is no difference in our community. The primary target will be women
entrepreneurs and minority-owned small businesses, including but not limited to
businesses in the Hispanic, Punjabi, African American, Hmong among other minority
communities that have not been able to access any relief funds.
Through a digital marketing campaign, television commercials, printed media ads, radio
ads, and direct door-to-door outreach, in partnership with local minority serving non-
profit organizations, we will promote the program within the County of Fresno in English,
Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi. FAHF will also keep businesses informed with up-to-date
State and County safety measures to operate their businesses safely. Our partners will
help us in promoting in Punjabi and Hmong. Additionally, FAHF will reach out to other
current partnerships to promote the program which includes chambers of commerce,
economic development organizations (government and non-profit organizations). During
FAHF’s weekly webinar sessions, we will also promote the program with all webinar
participants.
Television marketing will be done through local television networks like KSEE 24, ABC
30, FOX 26, CBS 47, Telemundo, and Univision 21, which is the leading television
network for the Hispanic community in the Central Valley.
Additionally, through our partnership with the Mexican Consulate of Fresno, we will
conduct radio interviews to promote the program in addition to sharing information about
it during live, co-hosted virtual events.
PROGRAM STAFFING
Grant Agreements/Disbursements
Provide one-on-one Assistance in Gathering
Required Documentation from Selected Businesses
Disburse Grant Funds
The staff of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF) has over thirty (30) years of
combined experience in the microenterprise development arena. FAHF began its direct
loan program in the beginning of 2015; however, it has provided technical assistance to
low-income entrepreneurs since 2004. Much of its microenterprise development
activities revolved around marketing/outreach and the provision of technical assistance
(TA) to Hispanic/Latino and other limited resource entrepreneurs throughout the San
Joaquin Valley. FAHF has partnered with local CDFIs such as Access Plus Capital
(formerly Fresno CDFI), Valley Small Business Development Corporation and
Opportunity Fund, to bring together entrepreneurs and the resources (TA and loan
capital) they need for the startup, strengthening and/or expansion of their businesses.
FAHF currently has seven (7) team members, including a consultant with over 20 years’
experience in small business financing, and an AmeriCorps VIP team member. FAHF
will assign 3 team members to be fully dedicated to support the program and will seek 2
additional supporting team members. All team members are bi-lingual (in Spanish,
English, and/or Hmong) and have the capacity to provide technical assistance with the
grant application. The FAHF team will be available to answer calls during business
hours and guide entrepreneurs step-by-step, through the application process. These
ongoing activities will contribute to the success of the County of Fresno’s Small
Business Grant Program.
Additionally, FAHF staff will be responsible for ensuring that all goals of the project are
met and reporting is provided in accordance with the terms and conditions as required
by the County of Fresno.
Current FAHF team members:
Name Title
AmeriCorps VIP Small Business Assistant
Blong Lee Loan Program Consultant
David Preciado Small Business Advisor
Dora Westerlund Chief Executive Officer
Sandra Vidrio Business Development Officer
Yurubi Ramirez Office Manager/Small Business Assistant
Yery Olivares Chief Operating Officer
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY
For over 10 years, the FAHF has administered federally funded programs. In 2009,
FAHF was awarded a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Dep. of Commerce, Economic
Development Administration (EDA), to establish its Downtown Business Hub incbuator,
a program for 15 years. With approximately 4 years left of this grant, FAHF has been in
compliance with all reporting requirements and financial management policies and
procedures. As a result of a positive relationship EDA, in 2015, FAHF received a
$370,836 revolving loan fund to administer and use for lending to small businesses in
the City of Coalinga. Additionally, in 2017, FAHF was awarded $125,000 grant from the
U.S. Department of Treasury, CDFI Fund, to provide technical assistance to
underserved entrepreneurs seeking financing capital. FAHF has complied with all
administration and reporting requirements and has since, received an additional
award in early 2020. Most recently, FAHF has been awarded a $500,000 loan fund
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use for lending purposes for
low-income entrepreneurs in rural communities of the Central Valley. Prior year and
current federal grants have provided FAHF staff with the experience to manage
and administer federal funds and execute according to grant terms and conditions.
PROPOSED BUDGET
GRANTS
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
TOTAL BUDGET $ 250,000
ADMINISTRATION
1.Maintain all documents and records in a safe and secure facility.
2.Prepare required reports, correctly, and within required time limits.
3.Work cooperatively with the County of Fresno to develop modifications to the Program
if needed due to changes in laws, regulations, or changes that will make
administration of the program more effective. This shall also include making
recommendations to the County, and responding to questions from the County.
4.Operate the Program in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
5.Verify that each application is complete, and meets the County’s threshold
eligibility requirements, making a recommendation for County to issue payment
of grants to small businesses. The County may revise the requirements with notice to
Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, and may evaluate applications to determine eligibility
under the Program Requirements as set forth in this Attachment A.
6.Grants shall be awarded to qualified applicants on a lottery basis, are limited to $5,000 per
business, and shall begin approximately mid-September 2020.
7. Create and implement application process to include, without limitation, providing
applicants an information checklist with specific Program Requirements.
8.Report the final distribution of grants to the County, to include the total number of
applications with a copy of applications with the final grant distribution for each Recipient.
9.Maintain records of applications and grants distributed and ensure that all distributions
follow CARES expenditure guidelines.
distributions follow CARES expenditure guidelines.
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
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Fresno County Small Business Grant
Program
The County of Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, is providing
$250,000 in grants to small businesses in Fresno County that have been affected by the COVID-
19 pandemic. Grants in the amount of $5,000 will be distributed throughout the 5 districts of
Fresno County (including unincorporated areas). The City of Fresno is not included in this grant
program; if your business is within the City of Fresno, please visit this site to apply for another
grant opportunity www.fresnoahf.org or call 559-222-8705.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
1. Grant funds will be equitably distributed by County Districts
2. Grants must be limited to one (1) grant per business entity
3. Grant funds are to be used for working capital (rent, payroll, utilities, or other fixed operating
expenses)
ELIGIBILITY
Businesses must meet all of the following criteria:
1. Business must be for-profit, physically located and operating in Fresno County (including
unincorporated areas)
2. Business must have 10 or less full-time equivalent employees (as of March 15, 2020, prior to
COVID-19)
3. Business must be operating for at least 2 full years prior to March 15, 2020
4. Business must demonstrate it has been impacted by COVID-19
5. Business cannot have been approved or received disaster relief funding such as Paycheck
Protection Program, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan, City of Fresno Save Our Small
Business Loan to Grant, or County of Fresno HUB Grant
6. Business cannot have any outstanding local, state, federal tax liens or judgement (if so, must
have a payment plan)
7. Cannot have a bankruptcy within the last 3 years (if so, bankruptcy must be related to COVID-
19)
BUSINESSES MUST MEET ALL OF THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, OTHERWISE WILL BE DEEMED
INELIGIBLE TO APPLY
During the process of filling out your application, if you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact us at 559-222-8705
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 29, 2020 11:59 p.m.
* Required
Exhibit A
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
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1.Email address *
2.
Check all that apply.
I have a for-profit business physically located in Fresno County (outside the City of Fresno
limits)
I have 10 or less full-time equivalent employees
I have been in business for two full years
I have not been approved for or received any disaster relief funding
I have been affected by COVID-19
I have not filed for bankruptcy within the last 3 years (if I have, it is related to COVID)
I have no outstanding local, state, federal tax liens or judgments (If I do, I have a payment
plan)
Business Information
3.
4.
5.
6.
Please select all that apply to verify eligibility *
Business Legal Name *
Business Tax ID# *
Business Street Address *
Business City *
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
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7.
8.
9.
Mark only one oval.
Sole Proprietor
Corporation
Par tnership
Limited Liability Company
10.
11.
12.
Business Zip Code *
Business Phone *
Business Structure *
2019 Annual Gross Sales *
Number of Full-Time Equivalent Employees as of March 15, 2020. (Employee
working 40 hours per week equals 1.0 FTE; Employee working 20 hours per week
equals .5 PTE) *
Year Business was Established in Fresno County *
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A8FuI61CYEahkVwI6yFiRwqwuI4ULhxfPH3nwxbzris/edit 4/10
13.
Mark only one oval.
Other:
Beauty Salon/Barber
Construction
Enter tainment
Health and Wellness
Manufacturing
Restaurant/Food Vendor
Retail
Service
Transportation
Fresno County District
Click on the following link to find your District: https://voterlookup.co.fresno.ca.us/addresslookup.aspx
Follow the steps to enter your address and select your "Supervisorial Distric" in the question below.
14.
Mark only one oval.
District 1
Distrcit 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
Owner Information
Business Industry *
Business County Super visor District
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
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15.
Mark only one oval.
1
2
3
4 or more
16.
17.
18.
Example: January 7, 2019
19.
20.
21.
How many legal business owners? *
Primary Owner Name *
Primary Owner SSN/ITIN *
Primary Owner Date of Birth *
Primary Owner Street Address *
Primary Owner City *
Primary Owner Zip *
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A8FuI61CYEahkVwI6yFiRwqwuI4ULhxfPH3nwxbzris/edit 6/10
22.
23.
Mark only one oval.
Female
Male
24.
Mark only one oval.
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Two or More Races
White
25.
26.
Primary Owner Email *
Primary Owner Gender *
Primary Owner Ethnicity *
Secondary Owner Name
Secondary Owner SSN/ITIN
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A8FuI61CYEahkVwI6yFiRwqwuI4ULhxfPH3nwxbzris/edit 7/10
27.
Example: January 7, 2019
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
Mark only one oval.
Female
Male
Secondary Owner Date of Birth
Secondary Owner Street Address
Secondary Owner Zip
Secondary Owner City
Secondary Owner Email
Secondary Owner Gender
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A8FuI61CYEahkVwI6yFiRwqwuI4ULhxfPH3nwxbzris/edit 8/10
33.
Mark only one oval.
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Two or More Races
White
Other Information
34.
Secondary Owner Ethnicity
USE OF FUNDS Funds must be used by Dec. 30, 2020. Please indicate how you will
use the $5,000 funds and how much for each categor y: Rent, Payroll, Utilities, or
Other Fixed Operating Expenses *
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A8FuI61CYEahkVwI6yFiRwqwuI4ULhxfPH3nwxbzris/edit 9/10
35.
Other:
Check all that apply.
Finances
Human Resources/Staffing
Legal
Management
Marketing
Personal Protective Equipment
COVID-19 Regulations
I don't need assistance at the moment
36.
Other:
Check all that apply.
Social Media
Word of Mouth (family/friend)
Television/Radio
Website
Non-profit Organization
Grant Documentation
If selected, please be prepared to provide the following documentation:
1.Either a Business License OR Fictitious Business Name Statement OR Seller's Permit OR Tax Returns reflecting a
date prior to March 15, 2018
2. W9 Form
3. 590 Form
I would like to receive assistance for my business in (mark all that apply): *
How did you hear about this grant opportunity? *
9/2/2020 Fresno County Small Business Grant Program
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Applicant
Declaration
To the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify the information in this application is
correct and complete.
I authorize the FRESNO AREA HISPANIC FOUNDATION to make inquiries as necessary
to verify the accuracy of the statements made and to determine my creditworthiness.
I authorize FRESNO AREA HISPANIC FOUNDATION to request and obtain additional
information pertaining to how the Grant funds were used to benefit the business six (6)
months from the date of receipt.
I hereby grant permission to FRESNO AREA HISPANIC FOUNDATION, its programs, and
partners the right to use my name, business name, location, photograph, video, audio,
and/or written testimonials.
I understand that the media will be utilized in FRESNO AREA HISPANIC FOUNDATION’s
marketing and promotional items, included but not limited to its web site, newsletter,
press releases, social media, and other mediums of communication.
I understand that FRESNO AREA HISPANIC FOUNDATION and partners have the right to
edit, duplicate and disseminate these materials. I waive the rights to inspect or approve
the finished product wherein my likeness appears. Additionally, I waive any right to
royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the media materials
(stories, accounts, reflections, etc.).
I declare under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct.
37.
This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google.
Applicant Signature *
Forms
Exhibit B
SELF-DEALING TRANSACTION DISCLOSURE FORM
In order to conduct business with the County of Fresno (hereinafter referred to as “County”),
members of a contractor’s board of directors (hereinafter referred to as “County Contractor”), must
disclose any self-dealing transactions that they are a party to while providing goods, performing
services, or both for the County. A self-dealing transaction is defined below:
“A self-dealing transaction means a transaction to which the corporation is a party and in which one
or more of its directors has a material financial interest”
The definition above will be utilized for purposes of completing this disclosure form.
INSTRUCTIONS
(1)Enter board member’s name, job title (if applicable), and date this disclosure is being made.
(2)Enter the board member’s company/agency name and address.
(3)Describe in detail the nature of the self-dealing transaction that is being disclosed to the
County. At a minimum, include a description of the following:
a.The name of the agency/company with which the corporation has the transaction; and
b.The nature of the material financial interest in the Corporation’s transaction that the
board member has.
(4)Describe in detail why the self-dealing transaction is appropriate based on applicable
provisions of the Corporations Code.
(5)Form must be signed by the board member that is involved in the self-dealing transaction
described in Sections (3) and (4).
Exhibit B
(1) Company Board Member Information:
Name: Date:
Job Title:
(2) Company/Agency Name and Address:
(3)Disclosure (Please describe the nature of the self-dealing transaction you are a party to):
(4)Explain why this self-dealing transaction is consistent with the requirements of Corporations Code 5233 (a):
(5) Authorized Signature
Signature: Date:
Dora Westerlund 09/01/2020
CEO
Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation1444 Fulton StreetFresno, CA 93721
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
09/01/2020