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Find similar grantsSmall Business Formalization Grants (Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grants) is sponsored by Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). This program distributes grants to sidewalk vendors, including food vendors, operating in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
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Small Business Formalization Grants - Department of Economic Opportunity Small Business Formalization Grants Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grants Are you a sidewalk vendor operating in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County? Were you impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Did you start your business prior to March 2023?
If so, you may qualify for a Formalization Grant from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to help your business get permitted and compliant with the County’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance . Apply for Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant! The County of Los Angeles Sidewalk Vending Ordinance became effective in August 2024.
As such, sidewalk vendors must acquire a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate to vend in the unincorporated areas of the County. In recognition of the financial barriers that exist for sidewalk vendors looking to participate in the formal economy, DEO launched the Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program.
This Grant Program is distributing over $1M to sidewalk vendors that operate within the Unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County through payments of $500 to $5,000 towards eligible permitting expenses, compliance-related costs, and specific business needs.
It is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in partnership with Inclusive Action for the City (IAC). The application period is open starting from March 7, 2025 and vendors can apply on a rolling basis. * Grant timeline is subject to change depending on funding availability.
Applicants must meet all grant program requirements in order to qualify. Please note that funding is limited, and meeting eligibility requirements does NOT guarantee a grant award. Requirements include: 1.
Self-Employed Sidewalk Vendor Must be a Sidewalk Vendor that vends food or merchandize. Must also be self-employed and not operate more than one cart. Applicants that apply on behalf of an employer shall be disqualified.
Must vend and operate a vending business on sidewalks in the unincorporated areas of the County and in accordance with the http://opportunity. lacounty. gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BOS-SVO-Package-01-24-24-3-2.
pdf . Applicant must live within LA County. To find out if you operate your vending business in the unincorporated areas of the County, please visit here!
. When using the district locator tool 1) write your address and 2) if results include the word “Unincorporated” it means the address provided is within the unincorporated area of LA County. 3.
Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC) Must either have an existing Los Angeles County Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC) or seek to become permitted through the grant for a SVRC and any related requirements. For more information visit Welcome to the County’s Sidewalk Vending Program – Department of Economic Opportunity or contact (844) 432-4900.
Must have started sidewalk vending business anytime prior to March 2023. Households with income above $100,000 are not eligible, regardless of the number of members in the household. Must have experienced financial loss and impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including loss of revenue during March 2019 to March 2023.
The grantee MUST NOT have received a COVID-19 recovery grant funded through ARPA from a local government agency, including the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, or under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Cannot have a record of repeatedly violating Health and Safety regulations.
Business with a record may be reconsidered if able to prove significant effort towards addressing violations and meeting the requirements set forth by the SVRC and CA Health Code.
The Formalization Grant Program will be open to sidewalk vendors who are eligible to receive grants through payments of $500 to $5,000 made directly by Inclusive Action for the City for various compliance-related costs required as a condition to acquiring a LA County Sidewalk Vending Registration Certification (SVRC).
Eligible uses of the grant include: Required licensing from County, State, and Federal agencies, including a CA State Seller’s Permit, DBA/Fictitious Name, etc. Sale processing technology and equipment to allow for card transactions such as a mobile Point of Sale (POS) System Additional uses for food vendors: Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) and/or Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) Permits from the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH) Food manager or food handler certification training Purchase of equipment required by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) , including DPH approved sidewalk vending carts and fire extinguisher Lease of commissary space in accordance with California Food Code In addition, both merchandise and food vendors are eligible for the following: Business setup costs such as tables, umbrellas and carts (limited to Program offerings) Please note, uses of fund must be made in accordance with a tiered system.
Funds may not be spent on tier 2 until all requirements for tier 1 are first met. Learn more about small business mobility fund here .
In addition to being reviewed based on the eligibility criteria, applicants will also be scored and selected according to factors determined by the County, including participation in other EMI programs, efforts to date on becoming compliant, etc. Documents and Information Required to Apply Current government-Issued ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Matricula, etc.) California State Seller’s Permit DBA/Fictitious Filing, if business name does not include last name Vending Location (must be in unincorporated areas of the County) Phone, and home address (in LA County) Applicants will also be required to meet revenue threshold, be financially impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, and provide an expenditure plan according to eligible uses.
If food vendor, must also have attended a CMFO Workshop . Attend a free workshop here . Applications are ongoing and will remain open based on funding availability.
DEO Office of Small Business (OSB) Email: osb@opportunity-dev. wppro. lacounty.
gov Visit: 4716 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022 Book a consultation with an OSB Concierge here ! Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) Partners Meet a business consultant from a partnering organization that can assist you with your application and other business needs. Assistance available in English and Spanish.
San Gabriel Valley/Northeast LA Los Angeles Economic Equity Accelerator & Fellowship (LEEAF) Address: Virtual Technical Assistance Languages: English / Spanish Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) Address: 1130 West Slauson Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90044 Languages: English / Spanish Address: North Valley Office 13168 Van Nuys Blvd Pacoima, CA 91331 South Valley Office 5805 Sepulveda Blvd Suite 801 Van Nuys, CA 91411 Languages: English / Spanish Los Angeles Economic Equity Accelerator & Fellowship (LEEAF) Address: Virtual Technical Assistance Languages: English / Spanish Santa Clarita Valley/Antelope Valley College of the Canyons Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Address: 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Languages: English / Spanish
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Sidewalk vendors operating in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and who started their business prior to March 2023. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $500 to $5,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Small Business Formalization Grants (Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grants) is funded by Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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