Resources · Small business
Free help, grants and tools for small businesses
Grants and loans, free business counseling, software credits, permits and licenses explained, and programs for sellers and makers.
Subvenciones y préstamos, asesoría empresarial gratuita, créditos de software, permisos y licencias explicados y programas para vendedores y creadores.
25 programs · updated from the Resources database; every number is checked on the program's own page.
Alliance for Workforce Development – Connecting Job Seekers and Employers
Alianza para el Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral: Conectando a los Buscadores de Empleo y Empleadores
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- Adults seeking work in Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, or Sierra counties; separate youth track for ages 17-24
- Phone
- Grass Valley: (530) 328-1953 | Truckee: (530) 328-2069 | Quincy: (530) 283-1606 | Loyalton: (530) 994-3349
- Website
- afwd.org
CALeVIP Fast Charge California Project — up to $100,000 per DC fast-charging port (Window 2: Oct. 7, 2026–Jan. 14, 2027)
Proyecto Fast Charge California de CALeVIP — hasta $100,000 por puerto de carga rápida DC (Ventana 2: 7 de octubre de 2026 al 14 de enero de 2027)
- Worth
- Up to 100% of approved costs: $55,000 per port (150–274.99 kW) or $100,000 per port (275 kW+)
- Who qualifies
- Owners of publicly available sites anywhere in California who will own the charging equipment and have ready-to-build projects (permit issued and final utility service design). Charging hubs, hotels and business districts are not eligible site types
- Phone
- none – email through calevip.org
- Website
- calevip.org/fccp2
California | Rural Development
California | Desarrollo Rural
- Who qualifies
- eligible rural Californians; eligible businesses and manufacturers; small business owners; entrepreneurs
- Phone
- none
- Website
- rd.usda.gov/ca
California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program — IBank
Programa de Garantía de Préstamos para Pequeñas Empresas de California — IBank
- Who qualifies
- California small businesses with 1–750 employees that have trouble getting a loan; credit decisions follow the lender's criteria; citizenship or immigration status is not considered
- Phone
- none
- Website
- ibank.ca.gov/small-business/loan-guarantees
California Small Business (SB) & Micro Business certification — 5% bid preference on state contracts
Certificación de Pequeña Empresa (SB) y Microempresa de California — preferencia del 5% en contratos estatales
- Worth
- 5% bid preference
- Who qualifies
- Independently owned, not dominant in its field, principal office in California, 100 or fewer employees, average gross receipts of $19M or less (Micro: $6M or less)
- Phone
- (916) 375-4940 (DGS Office of Small Business and DVBE Services, Certification@dgs.ca.gov)
- Website
- dgs.ca.gov/PD/Services/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Services-List-Folder/Apply-for-or-Re-apply-as-Small-Business-Disabled-Veteran-Business-Enterprise
CATT Bid Connect — free service: one request reaches local Truckee–Tahoe contractors
CATT Bid Connect — servicio gratuito: una solicitud llega a contratistas locales de Truckee–Tahoe
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- Homeowners and property owners with a project in the Truckee–Tahoe area (any size, from a handyman fix to new construction)
- Phone
- Text "Bid" to (530) 536-1115
- Website
- bidconnect.ca-tt.com
Celebrate EDU Microgrants — up to $500 for entrepreneurs with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Microsubvenciones de Celebrate EDU — hasta $500 para emprendedores con discapacidades intelectuales o del desarrollo
- Worth
- Up to $500
- Who qualifies
- People 16+ with an intellectual or developmental disability whose own new or emerging business idea has earned under $3,000 and needs under $2,500 to start; US or Canada; not for nonprofits
- Phone
- none (hello@celebrateedu.org)
- Website
- celebrateedu.org/microgrants
Free ready to use website with Notion, Fruition, and Cloudflare
Sitio web listo para usar gratuito con Notion, Fruition y Cloudflare
- Who qualifies
- nonprofits, small businesses, individuals
- Phone
- none
- Website
- github.com/velsa/notehost
grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants
grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants
- Who qualifies
- nonprofits, governments, tribes, schools, small businesses, individuals through a sponsoring organization
- Phone
- 1-800-518-4726 – Grants.gov Applicant Support
- Website
- grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants
Grass Valley Downtown Association
Asociación del Centro de Grass Valley
- Who qualifies
- Downtown Grass Valley businesses (membership and associate membership); events open to everyone
- Phone
- (530) 272-8315 – Grass Valley Downtown Association
- Website
- downtowngrassvalley.com
Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce
Cámara de Comercio de Greater Grass Valley
- Who qualifies
- Businesses in the Grass Valley area of Nevada County (membership); Visitors Center open to everyone
- Phone
- (530) 273-4667 – Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Website
- grassvalleychamber.com
How Business Owners Can Use The Augusta Rule Tax Strategy
- Worth
- Tax-free rental income by renting your home to your business for up to 14 days per year under IRS Section 280A
- Who qualifies
- U.S. business owners who own a home that is not their primary place of business
- Website
- forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/02/28/how-business-owners-can-use-the-augusta-rule-tax-strategy
Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program
Programa de Cargadores para Vehículos Eléctricos en Viviendas Multifamiliares y Pequeñas Empresas
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- Multifamily housing units, not-for-profit organizations, small businesses
- Phone
- - PG&E Customer Service: 1-800-743-5000 - Customer service hotline for PG&E. - EV Charger Program Information Line: 1-877-743-7782 - Information line for the Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program. - TTY: 1-800-652-4712 - TTY line for customers with hearing or speech disabilities. - Language Assistance: 1-800-660-6789 - Line for customers who need language assistance. - California Relay Service: Dial 711 - Relay service for customers with hearing or speech disabilities. None
- Website
- pge.com/en/clean-energy/electric-vehicles/ev-charge-program/multifamily-housing-and-small-business-ev-charger-program.html#tabs-0b1af24275-item-e55a61df74-tab
NASE Growth Grants — up to $4,000 for self-employed and small-business members
Subvenciones de Crecimiento de NASE — hasta $4,000 para miembros autónomos y pequeñas empresas
- Worth
- Up to $4,000
- Who qualifies
- National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) members in good standing (monthly members after 90 days)
- Phone
- none
- Website
- nase.org/become-a-member/member-benefits/business-resources/growth-grants
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
Cámara de Comercio de Nevada City
- Who qualifies
- Businesses and organizations in and around Nevada City (membership); events and visitor info open to everyone
- Phone
- (530) 265-2692 – Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
- Website
- nevadacitychamber.com
Northern REN: free energy assessments and upgrade incentives for small businesses
Northern REN: evaluaciones de energía gratis e incentivos para pequeños negocios La Red de Energía Rural del Norte (NREN) ofrece a pequeños y medianos negocios y agencias públicas en 17 condados rurales del norte de California, incluido el Condado de Nevada, una evaluación de energía gratis (virtual o en el lugar) con un informe personalizado. También da incentivos, a través de contratistas locales, para mejoras como calentadores de agua con bomba de calor e iluminación LED. Necesita servicio de PG&E. Llene el formulario de interés en northernren.org.
- Worth
- Free energy assessment and report; incentives toward heat pump water heaters and LED lighting
- Who qualifies
- Small and medium-sized businesses and public agencies in 17 rural Northern California counties, including Nevada County, with PG&E service
- Website
- northernren.org/commercial-di
Partners - Grow with Google
Socios - Grow with Google
- Who qualifies
- libraries, chambers of commerce, downtown associations, small business development centers, workforce development organizations, state and local government, schools and universities, veteran‑focused organizations, community nonprofits serving small businesses or job seekers
- Phone
- none
- Website
- grow.google/partners
Purchasers - Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project | California HVIP
## Compradores - Proyecto de incentivos de vales para camiones y autobuses híbridos y de emisión cero | California HVIP El Proyecto de Incentivos de Vales para Camiones y Autobuses Híbridos y de Emisión Cero (HVIP) en California proporciona incentivos financieros para la compra de vehículos de camiones y autobuses híbridos y de emisión cero. Este programa está diseñado para fomentar la adopción de vehículos más limpios y sostenibles en el estado de California. El HVIP ofrece vales de compra que pueden ser utilizados por los compradores elegibles para reducir el costo de adquisición de vehículos híbridos y de emisión cero. Estos vales pueden ser aplicados a la compra de vehículos nuevos o usados, así como a la conversión de vehículos existentes a tecnologías más limpias. Los compradores elegibles incluyen empresas privadas, agencias gubernamentales, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y propietarios de flotas. Los vehículos que califican para el programa HVIP incluyen camiones y autobuses híbridos, eléctricos de batería y de pila de combustible de hidrógeno. Para participar en el programa HVIP, los compradores deben seguir los pasos siguientes: 1. Elegibilidad: Verificar si cumple con los requisitos de elegibilidad establecidos por el programa HVIP. 2. Registro: Registrarse en línea en el sitio web del HVIP y completar la solicitud. 3. Documentación: Proporcionar la documentación requerida, que puede incluir pruebas de residencia, prueba de propiedad de la flota, licencias y permisos, entre otros. 4. Compra: Comprar un vehículo elegible y solicitar el reembolso del vale aprobado. El Proyecto de Incentivos de Vales para Camiones y Autobuses Híbridos y de Emisión Cero es una excelente oportunidad para los compradores interesados en adquirir vehículos más limpios y eficientes. Al participar en este programa, contribuirán a la reducción de la contaminación y al impulso de la innovación en el sector de transporte en California. Para obtener más información sobre el programa HVIP y cómo participar, visite el sitio web oficial del HVIP.
- Worth
- $420,000
- Who qualifies
- Individual owner-operators, small businesses, corporate leaders, school districts, and municipal fleets
- Phone
- - Purchaser Resources: none - Carl Moyer On-Road Grant Calculator: none - Truck Stop!: none - Financing and Leasing Companies: none
- Website
- californiahvip.org/purchasers
ReConnect Loan and Grant Program | USDA
Programa de Préstamos y Subvenciones ReConnect | USDA
- Worth
- $25M
- Who qualifies
- Small rural internet provider (ISP), telephone or electric co‑op, tribal government or Alaska Native corporation, nonprofit, municipal/local government utility
- Phone
- none
- Website
- usda.gov/reconnect
Red Pocket Mobile dealer program — sell prepaid phone service in your store
Programa de distribuidores de Red Pocket Mobile — venda servicio telefónico prepago en su tienda
- Who qualifies
- Retail businesses (the sign-up asks for years in business, number of retail locations and your point-of-sale provider)
- Phone
- none
- Website
- redpocket.com/dealers
SBA Sacramento District Office — Loans, Certifications and Counseling for Nevada County Businesses
Oficina del Distrito de Sacramento de la SBA — Préstamos, certificaciones y asesoría
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- Small businesses in the office's 21 counties, including Nevada, Placer, Sierra, Yuba, and Sacramento
- Phone
- 916-735-1700 – SBA Sacramento District Office
- Website
- sba.gov/district/sacramento
SCORE Capital Corridor — Free Business Mentoring (serves Grass Valley/Nevada City)
SCORE Capital Corridor — Mentoría empresarial gratuita (Grass Valley/Nevada City)
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- Anyone starting or running a small business; the Capital Corridor chapter serves Sacramento and Sierra foothill communities including Grass Valley/Nevada City
- Phone
- 916-720-9990 – SCORE Capital Corridor chapter
- Website
- score.org/ca/capital-corridor
Sierra SBDC — Free One-on-One Small Business Advising
Sierra SBDC — Asesoría gratuita e individual para pequeñas empresas
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- New and existing small businesses and startups in Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc, and Lassen counties
- Phone
- (530) 582-5022 – Sierra SBDC
- Website
- sierrasbdc.com
The card that comes with connections - Hello Alice
La tarjeta que viene con conexiones - Hello Alice
- Worth
- $50
- Who qualifies
- small businesses
- Phone
- none
- Website
- helloalice.com/funding/credit-card
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready — free courses + $10,000 grants
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready — cursos gratuitos + subvenciones de $10,000
- Worth
- $10,000 grants (10 per month)
- Who qualifies
- Owners of for-profit small businesses based in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, age 18+ (nonprofits not eligible)
- Phone
- none
- Website
- digitalready.verizonwireless.com/funding/details