Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
Program Description and Guidelines
City of Huntington Beach
City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
Program Overview
About the Program
The City of Huntington Beach is offering a three-week Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program in partnership with the Orange County -Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (“SBDC”). The SBDC serves as a resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the country by providing consulting services, business plan development, financial plan guidance, and more. The Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program will provide training and funding to brick-and-mortar commercial businesses, physically located in Huntington Beach (collectively, “Business or Businesses”) seeking to increase their social media presence and improve their digital marketing strategies. All eligible Businesses are invited to apply.
The Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program is comprised of two virtual sessions and one in person group training session supplemented by one-on-one consulting session with the theme of “Creating a Digital Presence” . The program is based on the availability of funds, program guidelines, and submission of all required information and supporting documentation. Businesses with a minimum of two employees – which may also include owner, -- and a maximum of twenty- five employees (full or full-time equivalent combination) may be eligible to receive a digital marketing grant of one thousand dollars ($1,000). The grant must be used for a paid digital/online advertising campaign following the conclusion of the program , developed during the training program and in conjunction with an SBDC consultant.
Funding Availability
The City’s Economic Development Division will be responsible for oversight of the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program, and the disbursement of funds will take place through the City’s Finance Department . The SBDC, the City’s partner, will be responsible for program administration, application processing, underwriting, training, and for the review and approval of financial and business documentation for disbursemen t. The SBDC may also be asked to provide the City with regular updates regarding the program’s implementation. City staff are obligated to fulfill the terms and conditions of the funds as established by the City Council, these program guidelines, and Federal, State, and local rules and regulations.
Program Description
The SBDC created a virtual training program aimed at assisting Businesses with “Creating a Digital Presence” for their business. Each Business will learn how to set -up an online profile through Google, will reach out to customers for a Google review and will learn how to create and send Facebook or Instagram posts. The program will highlight how to use paid and non-paid advertising to generate le ads that turn into sales and/or increased community awareness . The program will culminate with Businesses receiving a small grant to put towards digital/online advertising that will generate customer traffic and/or community awareness . The program will consist of building a digital presence over three weeks. All sessions will take place in a group format and will be coupled with individual one-on-one consulting with SBDC consultants. The program will be conducted in English only.
City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
The training program will cover the following topics:
All about Google
· Understanding how customers find you in a digital world · Why Google?
· Creating your own Google profile
Reaching my Audience through Facebook (FB) and Instagram (IG) · How to use social media, specifically Facebook and Instagram · Capturing pictures and video
· Creating a successful: call to action
My First Facebook/Instagram (FB/IG) Post
· How to post a video or picture to Facebook or Instagram · Each Business will post their video/picture
· How to attract a fan base to social media
· Creating a successful social media campaign that increases sales
Advertising on Social Media
· Different types of advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram · What is the cost to run an ad campaign? How much should you spend? · What should you be measuring?
· What goes in a FB/IG ad campaign
· Are Twitter and Tik Tok a good option for your Business?
Setting up the FB/IG Campaign
· Let’s put together and launch your FB/IG Campaign · What are you offering (Call to action and image/video)? · Who are you targeting?
· Which Keywords are you using?
· What is your goal?
· How much are you spending?
Wrap-up: Utilizing Grant for Paid Digital/Online Advertising – Measuring and Tracking
Each Business will be assigned a n SBDC business consultant to assist them with their paid advertising platform. The SBDC consultant will provide one-on-one assistance, customized to each Business’ needs. The SBDC will continue to work with each client through the program and beyond.
Every quarter, the SBDC will track and measure the success of each Business as they deploy their marketing campaigns. The SBDC will track change in sales, jobs created and/or increase in customer traffic.
City Reserved Rights
The City reserves the unqualified right, in its sole and absolute discretion at any time: ( 1) to amend or terminate this program with no recourse for any proposing applicant; (2) to choose or reject any or all applications received in response to this program; (3) to modify the application deadlines; (4) City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
to request additional information of the applicants as deemed necessary and appropriate by the City; (5) to conduct further due diligence with applicants or any third party; (6) to modify the City's objectives or the scope of the program; (7) to modify pro gram requirements, general terms and conditions, or eligible activities; and/or (8) to disqualify any proposing applicant on the basis of any real or perceived conflict of interest that is disclosed or revealed by materials submitted or by any data available to the City.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program is limited to businesses that meet criteria established by the City of Huntington Beach.
General Terms and Conditions*
• Must be a brick-and-mortar commercial business, physically located in Huntington Beach; • Must have a current City of Huntington Beach business license on file. • Cannabis-related businesses, gambling facilities, adult entertainment businesses, massage parlors, non-profits, and largely cash-based businesses are not eligible; • Residential or real estate projects including short-term rental operators are also not eligible; • As of January 1, 2026, must have at least a minimum of two employees –which may also include the owner - and no more than twenty-five full-time equivalent employees (two part-time employees equal one full-time employee);
• Must be in good standing with the City (current on bills, no liens or judgements, etc.); • Must be in compliance with any City permit or license requirements applicable to the Business; • Must submit the application and all required supporting documentation.
* City employees and elected and appointed officials are not eligible to participate in this program.
Eligible Activities
The funds must be used to develop a paid digital/online advertising campaign for the purpose of increasing the Business’s social media presence. This advertising campaign will be developed during the program and in conjunction with an SBDC business consultant. Each applicant will need to sign and verify that the use of funds will be spent on a paid advertising campaign , such as expressed above. In addition, the applicant must attend the virtual Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program sessions to receive these funds. Any use of funding other than for paid advertising is strictly prohibited.
In addition, the applicant cannot use these funds for paid advertising costs that have been or will be reimbursed or recovered through other funding programs.
Equal Opportunity Policy
The City of Huntington Beach and the SBDC shall not discriminate upon the basis of sex, age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, marital status, ancestry , or physical handicap in accepting applications and processing program application.
City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
Application Process
Application
The Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program application includes information about the Business, the number of employees , location of the business, and amount of time in business. The application and Grant Agreement will require the following Attestations:
• The Business must be a brick-and-mortar commercial business, physically located in Huntington Beach, with a current City of Huntington Beach business license on file. • The Business understands the grant is distributed as part of a three-week digital marketing training program.
• As of January 1, 2026, the Business must have at least a minimum of two employees –which may also include the owner - and no more than twenty -five full-time equivalent employees (two part-time employees equal one full-time employee).
Application Period
The program application will be available at 8:00 AM on __________, 2026. Applicants must apply for the training program by visiting www.hbbiz.com and submitting the application online.
Applications must be submitted online and will only be accepted from 8:00 AM, __________, 2026, to 11:59 PM, __________, 2026. Applications received online after this due date and time will be considered late and will not be accepted.
The City will disburse fifteen $1,000 grants, a total of $15,000, to fifteen eligible Businesses.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis and will be vetted by both the SBDC and the City of Huntington Beach in order to ensure that applicants meet the outlined requirements.
The City anticipates the number of applications will exceed the amount of funding available for disbursement. As a result, the City will implement a lottery system for all eligible Businesses if necessary.
Documentation Requirements
Upon pre-approval and selection for the program, Businesses will be required to submit the following documents by __________, 2026 at 5 PM, for review and verification to receive the grant:
• Business License; and,
• Current W-9.
In addition, the SBDC will provide the selected Businesses with the following documents to complete and submit by __________, 2026:
• A signed Huntington Beach Small Business Grant Agreement.
At the end of the calendar year, the City will contact each Business to request a copy of its 1099-G.
Although selection is not guaranteed, Businesses should begin to collect the required documentation City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
in order to expedite the approval process in the event they are selected.
Grant Review and Approval Process
Review
The application will be reviewed by the SBDC to determine application completeness and preliminary eligibility. The application must be complete by the application submittal deadline date of 11:59 PM, __________, 2026
Lottery
The City of Huntington Beach is expecting the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program to have a large number of applications. If the number of applications far exceeds the amount of funding that is available for disbursement, the City will implement an internal lottery system for all eligible Businesses. Once applications and eligibility have been approved, they will be assigned a number and entered into a lottery. This is an internal process that will not be open for public viewing.
Applicants will be notified of lottery status. Program participants selected in the lottery will be contacted by email, phone, and/or letter starting __________, 2026.
Verification and Eligibility Determination
Upon pre -approval and selection , the SBDC shall request the applicant submit all required documentation for review and verification for grant approval. The SBDC will assign a consultant to work with each individual grantee to assist with completing all required documentation. Grantees documentation will be submitted directly to SBDC on a secured site. If the grant request meets the criteria for program funding, all required documentation must be __________, 2026, by 5:00 PM to remain eligible.
Grant Disbursement
Grant funds will be disbursed upon submission of all required documentation and successful completion of the program requirements, including one-on-one consulting, virtual training sessions, and the in-person training. The City will issue the grant in a si ngle disbursement. All grant funds shall be expended on a digital/online paid advertising campaign.
Grant Report
The Business recipient shall keep documentation evidencing use of the Grant Funds . The City and/or the SBDC may request to evaluate the Business’ compliance with the Grant program. If it is determined the Business did not expend the funds consistent with the program guidelines, it may constitute an Event of Default under the Grant Agreement.
Post Grant Follow Up
The City’s Finance Department will contact each business for the provision of a 1099-G at the end of the calendar year.
City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
The SBDC will continue to work one-on-one with each grantee, throughout the next twelve months.
If contacted by the City or SBDC, all awardees will be required to update the City on their Business and if additional employees have been hired or employees retained. A twelve-month report will be created by the SBDC and the City of Huntington Beach, to document the success of the program.
By acceptance of the grant, the Business agrees to comply with City information requests that may include use of photos or business logos. In addition, participating Businesses may be invited to a City Council meeting following the conclusion of the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program in order to be recognized.
City of Huntington Beach
Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program
Contact Information
For additional information regarding the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program, please contact the following:
City of Huntington Beach
Economic Development Division
Christopher Kennedy
Economic Development Project Manager
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 375-5186
[email protected]
For questions about the guidelines and application or assistance in completing the application and to set up a one-on-one consultation (at no cost), please contact the SBDC at:
Manal Richa,
Director
CSUF SBDC
15375 Barranca Parkway, Suite A111
Irvine, CA 92618
(657) 256-3874 office
[email protected]