COVID-19 Relief PA Statewide Small Business Assistance

Download the Application Instructions for a comprehensive handbook on the grant program guidelines and application process. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for small business owners or learn about Bridgeway’s Application Assistance Partners that stand ready to help. From facts to FAQs, we’ve got you covered.

For support in accessing your login or questions about your application in the portal, please contact Lendistry for technical support.

• Email: pacdfinetwork@lendistry.com
• Phone: 866-897-9336
• Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM EST
• Saturday from 8 AM – Noon EST

Application Tips:

• The application portal works best on Google Chrome browser.
• The grant program prohibits small business owners from submitting duplicate applications or applications through multiple CDFIs. Submitting multiple applications will delay the processing of your application and will reduce your chance of approval. Please only submit one application with one participating CDFI.
• You can edit or update your application through your account login, including uploading documents and confirming if your documents and application are received.
• You will receive confirmation emails and updates from Lendistry. Please check your spam and include pacdfinetwork@lendistry.com on your email account’s safe sender list.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, A BUSINESS MUST:

• Be physically located, certified to do business, and generate at least 51% of their revenues in Pennsylvania; and
• Have annual revenue of $1 million or less prior to the impact of COVID-19; and
• Have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees prior to February 15, 2020; and
• Have been in operation as of February 15, 2020
• Eligible businesses may be structured as C-corporations, S-corporations, limited liability corporations, sole proprietors, independent contractors or self-employed individuals

THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

• Businesses that are not physically based in Pennsylvania
• Businesses that are in active default (not on a payment plan) with taxes or fees owed to the federal government or Commonwealth
• Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under Federal, state, or local law
• Non-Profits, Churches and other religious institutions
• Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factors
• Real estate companies and investors. Real estate businesses in which the majority (>51%) of their income is rental income
• Life insurance companies
• Private clubs and businesses which limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity
• Government-owned entities or elected official offices
• Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
• An owner of 20 percent or more of the equity of the applicant is incarcerated, on probation, on parole within the last five years or any other felony within the last year

Other ineligible entities will be specified at a later date.

THE PROGRAM WILL PRIORITIZE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE:

• Owned and operated by low and moderate-income people; or
• Located in areas of need including areas with a population having incomes significantly below the median income level, high levels of poverty, higher than average unemployment rates, or significant population loss
• Types of businesses that were most impacted by the economic shutdown and experienced the greatest revenue losses

The program will ensure that grant funds are awarded to small businesses located across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

At least 50% of the grants to small businesses will be awarded to Historically Disadvantaged businesses.

• Historically Disadvantaged businesses are at least 51% owned and operated by persons who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander because they have traditionally been discriminated against and disadvantaged when seeking financial services and financial products

In addition, the program will give additional consideration to the following factors:

• Women-owned businesses
• Communities targeted for business investment by state government revitalization programs like Main Street and Elm Street
• Rural communities

The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $50,000. Businesses are eligible based on their annual revenues as documented in their most recent tax return.

SPACE

The following items will be needed to apply. Additional items may be specified later:

• Proof of Business Registration with PA Department of State, as applicable:
  • Articles of Incorporation for corporations and LLCs; or
  • Fictitious Name Registration/“Doing Business As” for Sole Proprietors; or
  • Business License if applicable
• Bank Account Information

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