Business Financing

The City of Berkeley may be able to assist you in obtaining financing for business expansion and other business needs through our Revolving Loan Fund. We can also provide information about additional financial resources. 

 Introducing the City of Berkeley's Resiliency Loan Program (RLP)

The City of Berkeley is now accepting applications for it new COVID-19 Resiliency Loan Program (RLP) to help existing Berkeley small businesses, non-profits and cooperatives to sustain their operations in Berkeley.  Funded by the CARES Act, and further capitalizing the City's existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program (see below), Interest Rate Loans may be used to cover business operating expenses like payroll, rent and utilities.

Learn more about the loan terms and submit an application online.

 
For questions on the application process please email the Office of Economic Development or call (510) 981-7530.

 REVOLVING LOAN FUND (RLF)

The City of Berkeley's Revolving Loan Fund can provide limited financing in situations where private financing is unavailable and when the loan will result in retained or increased jobs. The Revolving Loan Fund offers loans to businesses, organizations and cooperatives with interest rates and terms that are below market. Loans are available for use in funding startup, expansion, fixed assets, equipment, working capital, and real estate. The City of Berkeley's Loan Administration Board reviews and approves eligible loans based on the criteria set forth in the  RLF Administrative Plan (2019). For more details on the program click here to download and print our one page information sheet.

 
For further information, please contact Kieron Slaughter at (510) 981-2490 or email him at kslaughter@cityofberkeley.info.

Business Damage Mitigation Fund  

CITY OF BERKELEY ANNOUNCES $25,000 COVID-19 BUSINESS DAMAGE MITIGATION FUND
Downtown Berkeley Association to administer grants up to $2,500 for all Berkeley businesses that
have sustained property damage since March 16, 2020

 ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES 
 

California Rebuilding Fund (CRF)

The California Rebuilding Fund is an economic recovery loan program to support California’s small businesses—especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state. Businesses who employed 50 or less full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and had gross revenues of less than $2.5 million or below in 2019 are eligible to apply. 

 
  Microfinance at Berkeley (MFB) 

MFB is a pro-bono organization at U.C. Berkeley that supports small businesses and economic development in the Bay Area. MFB provides interest free loans of up to $10,000 through the Kiva U.S. crowdfunding platform to fund small businesses. MFB also offers one-on-one advising sessions for entrepreneurs focusing on social media marketing, credit building, and business plan development. 

 Opportunity Fund (OF)

OF aims to help low-income entrepreneurs help themselves, create jobs, and strengthen the economy. OF provides micro loans to businesses that are unable to access loans from traditional institutions. Their loans are typically around $21,000 and their mission is to advance the economic well-being of working people by helping them earn, save and invest in their future.

 Working Solutions (WS)

WS is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) whose mission is to provide micro-entrepreneurs with the access to capital and resources they need to start or grow a successful business. WS provides microloans ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 and they prioritize serving low-income individuals, women, and minorities. We support microenterprise growth as a strategy to strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and build strong communities.

 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) assists small businesses with obtaining federal financial assistance, engaging in contracting with the federal government, and recovering from disasters. The agency also offers technical assistance for free or at low cost to small businesses. Detailed information on all the SBA programs can be found at  www.sba.gov.  The following are the most commonly used SBA loan programs: 

•  7(a) Loan Guarantee Program  7(a) loans are the most basic and widely-used SBA loan. 7(a) loans can be used for a variety of business purposes: working capital, inventory, equipment, improvements, purchase of commercial real estate, and under certain circumstances, refinancing of business debt and business acquisition. 
•  SBA 504 Loan Program  The 504 Program provides growing businesses with long-term, low fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. 
•  Micro-loans  The SBA Microloan Program provides, through nonprofit community based lenders, loans of up to $50,000. Loans can be used for start-ups or growing businesses. Loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, supplies, materials, and inventory, as well as other startup or expansion costs. 

 Business owners can connect with participating SBA lenders by using the  SBA LINC tool . For more information on local SBA resources and participating lenders, please visit the  San Francisco District webpage , call 415-744-6820, or email  sfomail@sba.gov. 

 OED staff can also point businesses toward other commercial and nonprofit lenders. If you have questions about business financing, see the Contact Us page to determine which of our staff might serve you best.