Dream Fund

Filling the Opportunity Gap in the Black Small Business Community

The purpose of the Dream Fund is to provide financial support and seed entrepreneurship, combined with technical assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs in underserved business groups, including minorities and women.

Grant Award

$5,000-$10,000 per eligible small business

Requirements for Eligibility

The application for the Dream Fund grant is a two-step process. First is eligibility, which means you must have an established business entity (started after July 1, 2019), you must complete a defined small business/entrepreneurship curriculum (see class schedule) and one-on-one counseling, you must complete our 90-day accelerator and commit to one year of technical assistance, and you must meet the definition of a new business start-up by fulfilling the following conditions:

• You’ve acquired the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally AND done at least one of the following: completed a business plan, opened a bank account, hired at least one employee or made a first sale.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and have completed either the Betting Big accelerator or FRIENDS training program, you will be invited to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funds.

If you have not completed either course but meet the eligibility requirements, you need to register and attend the classes, beginning April 12, in order to be eligible for the grant. Once you have completed eight courses, you can apply for the grant.

The California Dream Fund Program is funded by the State of California and administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). Eligibility criteria applies.