How to Apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SBA)

[Helen]

Hello! I’m here to share information about venues affected by the COVID-19 restrictions who are seeking emergency assistance.

What is the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant?

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues which will be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. This grant provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible entities include:

• Live venue operators or promoters
• Theatrical producers
• Live performing arts organization operators
• Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
• Motion picture theater operators
• Talent representatives
• Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements

Where can I learn more?

From the SBA’s site:

‘Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.’ Read more about who can apply and how to apply for the SVOG on the SBA’s website.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant is scheduled to open for applications on April 8, 2021. Sign up for notifications about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application here.

[Helen]

A quick note - due to technical difficulties the SBA has temporarily suspended Shuttered Venue Grant application portal. Follow the SBA on Twitter where they are sharing more information and updates.

For a list of tools and resources to help you prepare to apply to this grant, visit www.sba.gov/svogrant.

[Helen · Accepted solution]

The SBA has announced that they expect the application portal to reopen by the end of this week. Follow the SBA on Twitter for updates.

In the meantime, the SBA shared the following resources to help you prepare your application:

• Review the  Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Preliminary Application checklist (sba.gov).
• Prepare 2019 and 2020 financial statements, including a month-by-month breakdown of revenues.
• Calculate the average number of employees the business had over the prior year (Mar. 1, 2019 to Feb. 29, 2020) using FAQs as guideline.
• Register in SAM.gov - see SBA video tutorial Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (sba.gov).

For more information read: Shuttered Venue Operators Grants - FAQ (sba.gov) and the SVOG Applicant User Guide. 

[jjgard]

Thanks for the updates!

[Helen]

Of course! 😀

[aarontw]

Sharing an update that the U.S. Small Business Administration will reopen Applications for the Shuttered Venues Grant, today, April 26th, 2021, at 12:00PM EDT.

Click this link to get in line to apply.