Applications open at noon ET on Thursday, April 8 for the SBA’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program.
The program, established by the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, will provide more than $16 billion in grants to venues shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eligible venues include the following entities which must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020:
- 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
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.
Grant funds can be used for payroll, rent or scheduled mortgage payments, utility payments, administrative costs, necessary business expenses and more.
“Help is here for venue operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA has worked diligently to build the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program from the ground up to assist and address the diverse eligibility requirements of each type of applicant and we will open for applications on April 8,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “The SBA knows these venues are critical to America’s economy and understands how hard they’ve been impacted, as they were among the first to shutter. This vital economic aid will provide a much-needed lifeline for live venues, museums, movie theatres and many more.”
The SBA will host a national informational webinar to share additional details about the application process and grant program on Tuesday, March 30 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. ET. Registration is available here.
Click here for additional information on program details and allowable use of funds and more. Applications can be found at svograntportal.sba.gov as of April 8.
