Everett CARES Grant Program

Everett CARES grant program

Applications for round three of the Everett CARES small business grant program are closed.


About

The Everett CARES Grant Program allows the City of Everett to award grants of $10,000 to small businesses with 1 – 20 employees, and of $20,000 to businesses with 21 – 50 employees. 

Our goal is that each Everett CARES grant provides a surge of resources to help an Everett business emerge from this difficult time so that jobs will be retained, and goods and services will be provided. The application process is designed to identify:   

  1. Businesses that have been injured by the COVID-19 pandemic      
  2. Businesses that provide jobs      
  3. Business owners that reflect Everett’s diversity      
  4. Well-operated businesses in all parts of the city      
  5. Beloved businesses with a loyal customer base      
  6. Catalytic businesses that multiply economic activity      
  7. Businesses that contribute broad community benefits      
  8. Businesses proactively working toward economic recovery

COVID-19 is causing a catastrophic economic impact on Everett’s small business community. The Everett CARES Small Business Grant Program is a positive step, but it does not provide enough funding for every injured business to receive a grant, nor will it fix all the damage caused to those businesses that receive a grant. Unfortunately, many businesses that qualify and are deserving may not receive an Everett CARES grant.

Please note: If you are an Everett CARES rounds one or two recipient you're automatically granted an additional supplemental $3,000 grant. You should have received an email about this on December 3, 2020. If you did not receive an email, please contact Tyler Chism right away at tchism@everettwa.gov


Application process overview

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The application process consists of four simple steps, we’ll go into more detail as you move through the process, but here’s a quick overview:

1) First, you’ll want to make sure you’re eligible before you apply. The eligibility requirements are below under step one.  

 2) Next, there’s some pre-work to do before you apply. This step consists of thinking through some things, gathering information and preparing a few documents. This step will take the longest, but will help you complete the application efficiently and accurately. 

 3) If you’re eligible and have your documents ready, then it’s time to apply. The application is an online form linked below under step three. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2020. You won’t earn bonus points by turning it in early, but don’t wait until you’re down to the wire in case you experience any technical difficulties or connection issues.  

 4) Once you’ve submitted your application, you will hear back from the City of Everett no later than Dec. 12, 2020 with an update on your application status.  

Ready to begin? Please scroll down to step one

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*To be eligible, businesses must meet the following requirements: 

  1. Your small business must be licensed by the City of Everett. If you do not have an Everett business license, you can apply for one and write, "applied" on your CARES grant application. 
  2. Your small business, whether brick and mortar or home-based, must be located within Everett city limits
  3. Your small business cannot be a national chain 
  4. All city taxes and fees must be paid and current as of Dec. 31, 2019 
  5. You company cannot be facing any pending litigation or legal action 
  6. Your company has not had state or city compliance or regulatory issues 
  7. Recipients of the Snohomish County’s R3 Small Business Grant Program are not eligible. Other grants or loans do not make your business ineligible; you will be asked to list them on your application.
  8. Your small business must currently have 1–50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Owners are counted as employees. Applicants will be asked the total number of FTEs and the total number of people employed as of Jan. 1, 2020 and as of Aug. 1, 2020.
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The application form is relatively brief, but requires some pre-work by gathering and preparing information. We suggest doing the following before you begin working on the application: 

Tip: we suggest working in a word processing document so you can copy and paste your answers into the application.  

  1. Write a short description of your business  

  2. Write two to five specific ways that COVID-19 hurt your business

  3. Prepare a list of qualifying expenses that will be submitted for reimbursement if awarded a grant. These include:  
    • Wages 
    • Lease/mortgage 
    • Utilities 
    • Debt payments 
    • Insurance 
    • Cost of goods   
    • Supplies  
      Note: if you’re awarded a grant, you will be required to provide documentation 
  4. Determine if your business qualifies as: 
    • Minority-owned as defined at mbda.gov 
    • Woman-owned as defined at sba.gov 
    • Veteran-owned as defined at sba.gov 
    • LGBT-owned as defined at sba.gov  
  5. Gather details of employment such as: 
    • The number of full-time, part-time and full-time equivalent (FTE) employees 
    • Be ready to compare employee counts on Jan 1, 2020 and Aug. 1, 2020
  6. Write two to five actions you’ve taken to help your business recover from the harm caused by COVID-19
Step 3: apply by 5 p.m. on December 7

Applications are closed. 

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We will contact all applicants with a status update via the email address you provide on your application by no later than December 12, 2020. Please note, we anticipate that demand will exceed available funding, so not all applicants will receive a grant.

  1. FAQs

Q: What do I do if I have a question? 

A: We’re here to help! Send an email to Tyler Chism at tchism@everettwa.gov

Q: What small businesses are eligible for an Everett CARES business grant?

A: Eligibility criteria for round two of the Everett CARES Small Business Grant Program are:

  1. Your small business must licensed by the City of Everett. You can find or apply for your business license number at everettwa.gov/businesslicense
  2. Your small business must operate, whether brick and mortar or home-based, from a location within Everett city limits
  3. Your small business cannot be a national chain 
  4. All city taxes and fees must be paid and current as of Dec. 31, 2019. Call the City Clerks Office at 425-257-8610 with taxes and fee questions
  5. You company cannot be facing any pending litigation or legal action
  6. Your company has not had state or city compliance or regulatory issues
  7. Your small business must have 1–50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Owners are counted as employees. Applicants will be asked the total number of FTEs and the total number of people employed as of Jan. 1, 2020 and as of Aug. 1, 2020.
  8. Recipients of round one of the Everett CARES Small Business Grant Program are not eligible. However, other grants or loans do not make you ineligible, although you will be asked to list them on your application. 

Q: If a small business received federal funding through Payroll Protection Program or Economic Development Injury Loan, are they still eligible for Everett CARES?

A: Yes, but funding from two of these sources cannot be used for the same expense. In other words, no “double-dipping.”

Q: Are bars, tattoo businesses and entertainment venues eligible?

A: Yes, if they meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

Q: Will every eligible small business that applies get a grant?

A: COVID-19 is causing catastrophic economic impact to Everett’s small business community. The Everett CARES Small Business Grant Program is a positive step, but it does not provide enough funding for every injured business to receive a grant, nor will it fix all the damage caused to those businesses that receive a grant. Unfortunately, many businesses that qualify and are deserving will not receive an Everett CARES grant.

Q: Do I increase my chances for getting a grant if I request less than $10,000 or $20,000?

A: No. All grants will be for $10,000 for businesses with 1–20 employees, and $20,000 for businesses with 21–50 employees.

Q: Will Everett CARES be awarded on a first-come, first-awarded basis?

A: No. The application period will be open from Dec. 3 through 5 p.m. PDT on Dec. 8, 2020. All complete applications received during that period will be evaluated, and all applicants will be notified if they did or did not receive a grant by Dec. 18, 2020.

Q: What is the application trying to identify?

A: Our goal is that each Everett CARES grant provides a surge of resources to help an Everett business emerge from this difficult time. The application process is designed to identify:

  1. Proven businesses that COVID-19 clearly injured
  2. Businesses that will provide needed jobs
  3. Business owners that reflect Everett’s diversity
  4. Well-operated businesses in all parts of the city
  5. Beloved businesses with a loyal customer base
  6. Catalytic businesses that multiply economic activity
  7. Businesses that contribute broad community benefits
  8. Businesses proactively working toward recovery

Q: How do I get an Everett business license? 

A: You may apply here. If you have questions, you can call our Clerk's office at 425-257-8610

Learn more

Contact us

For small businesses:


Tyler Chism
tchism@everettwa.gov

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