For technical assistance with the application website such as trouble logging in or error messages, confirm you are working in a Google Chrome browser and all of your "cookies" are clear. If that does not resolve the problem, contact Lendistry at 866-759-5320, Monday–Friday, 7:00AM–7:00PM, or [email protected].
ELIGIBILITY
Q: Can I still apply for funding?
A: No, the application deadline for Round 8 of the Arts & Culture program was in September 2021.
Q: My organization received funding in Round 4 (or 1, 2, 6), can we apply again for additional support?
A: No, organizations are only eligible for one award through the program.
Q: Are all-volunteer organizations, e.g., those with no staff, eligible to apply?
A: Yes. If your organization has a minimum revenue of at least $1,000, all volunteer-run organizations are eligible.
Q: My organization is fiscally sponsored; are we eligible?
A: No.
Q: Are fiscal sponsors eligible?
A: Fiscal sponsors may submit one application for its own organization. Fiscal sponsors may not apply on behalf of the organizations they sponsor.
Q: Are CDFIs eligible?
A: No.
Q: If I’ve received funding from both PPP and EIDL, can I still apply for the Relief Grant?
A: Yes, provided that you have eligible expenses not already funded by either of these sources.
Q: What determines my revenue?
A: Line 12 from your 2019 form 990. For this grant, that number needs to be greater than $1,000.
Q: My organization files a 990-N, 990-EZ or the 990 postcard. Are we eligible?
A: Yes. You will need to provide documentation showing that you have more than $1,000 in revenue. (The 990N does not ask for an amount of revenue, so it can't demonstrate that). If you completed California form RRF-1 for the California Attorney General's (AG's) office, you can get a copy of it here. Otherwise, attach anything you have, like a financial report, that shows your annual revenue.
Q: I don’t have a 2019 form 990 available. What should I do?
A: The application will be considered even without all documents uploaded. Provide what you have and Lendistry will reach out and provide you a deadline for final documents that might not be complete, such as your 2019 Form 990.
Q: What is my organizations NAICS Code?
A: Your organizations NAICS code can be found by searching for free the NAICS database based on the kind of organization you are. Lendistry, the grant administrator, will verify that the NAICS code you select on your application is in line with your organization's mission and public data. For the Arts & Culture rounds, the state has identified 15 NAICS codes which qualify for the Arts & Culture round.
BEGINNING AN APPLICATION
Q: If I applied in earlier rounds can I use the same email address as before?
A: It is recommended that you choose a new, unique email address so your application does not get tangled behind the scenes at Lendistry with your other application. If you accidentally use the same email address as prior rounds, please contact Lendistry for support at 866-759-5320.
Q: Do I have a better chance if I complete my application early in the round?
A: No. Awards are not made on a “first come, first served” basis. All eligible applications will receive the same consideration.
Q: Can I submit more than one application?
A: No, only one application is allowed in Arts & Culture Rounds (Rounds 4 and 8, respectively) for a qualifying 501c3.
Q: I accidentally started or submitted more than one application. What should I do?
A: Lendistry recognizes that due to technical issues some applicants created more than one application. During the review process, these will be identified, and applicants will be contacted to resolve any redundancies. If you have both a completed and an incomplete application in the system for the same organization or individual, the incomplete application will be deleted. If you are concerned, you can also contact Lendistry.
Q: Who should I list as the “owner” or authorized representative for my organization?
A: Nonprofits don't have owners, so list the person completing the application as the “owner.” The executive director is preferred, but not required. The "owner" can be anyone who is authorized to apply for funding on behalf of the organization, including board members. Lendistry will look at the Statement of Information for the organization as individuals eligible to represent the organization. If you need to update your Statement of Information, it can be done easily with the CA Secretary of State.
Q: How should I answer the question about percentage of ownership?
A: Enter 0%. If you previously filled out the application and gave a different number, don’t worry. Lendistry understands that no one “owns” nonprofit organizations and will accept other answers.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Q: I’m not comfortable giving my Social Security number or date of birth. What should I do?
A: Unfortunately, the program is requiring this information from the applicant.
Q: How will my personal data be used?
A: Lendistry has stated that the data will be used to confirm the applicant's identity and to eliminate fraudulent applications. A "soft" credit check will also be completed to confirm identity and to comply with other federal regulations such as OFAC.
Q: What if my credit is poor?
A: We have been assured that the applicant’s credit score will not be checked and will have no impact on eligibility or prioritization for the program.
Q: Will this affect my credit score?
A: Soft credit checks do not affect an individual’s credit score.
Q: What government ID is acceptable?
A: ID issued by any unit of government in the U.S. is acceptable; the ID is not required to be issued in CA. An example is a driver's license of the individual applying.
Q: How do I answer questions about ownership race/ethnicity and demographics?
A: The guidance we have received is that ownership race/ethnicity should be for board and management. When you have to make choices, choose what is closest to your organization. Lendistry has been made aware that this question doesn't fit into nonprofit categories.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Q: When providing income figures for 2020, should I include PPP and EIDL received?
A: No.
Q: My organization received Covid-related assistance from other sources or programs. Am I still eligible?
A: Yes. However, you cannot “double dip”, meaning that expenses that were already funded from other sources cannot also be submitted for a Relief Grant. (For example, if you paid Person A in September 2020 with PPP funding, you cannot pay Person A for that same month with this grant. You can pay Person A for work in other periods of time.)
Q: If the organization got a PPP loan and is required to pay any of it back, is that an eligible expense?
A: No.
Q: Please clarify the time frame for payments on debt obligations.
A: If the debt (for example a mortgage or loan) was already created prior to March 1, 2020, then payments on the debt are eligible expenses. Debts incurred after that date are not eligible.
Q: Are lost revenues eligible expenses? For example, a special event was cancelled, a grant was withdrawn, we couldn’t provide services and get reimbursed, etc.
A: No. Lost revenue is something that will be reviewed in a later step of the award process. It does not count as an expense.
Q: We had to draw down on operating reserves to fund our operations. Is replacing reserves an eligible expense?
A: No.
Q: Is equipment an eligible expense?
A: Yes, if it is required to operate due to Covid conditions.
Q: What if my eligible expenses don’t total $5,000? What if I don’t need the full $5,000?
A: The minimum grant amount is $5,000. If you prefer to receive a lesser amount, you can discuss this during the grant review process.
APPLICATION DROPDOWN MENUS & DATA
Q: How will applications be prioritized?
A: Applications will be reviewed based on % revenue decline between Q2/Q3 revenue between 2019-2020.
Q: What should I do if none of the choices in a given field are accurate for my organization?
A: Choose what is closest.
OTHER
Q: Is there a limit to the number of documents/pages that can be uploaded?
A: There is no limit to the number of pages, but uploaded documents cannot be larger than 15 MB. If your document is larger, you can either compress it or make it into two clearly labeled documents (such as “990 Part 1" and "990 Part 2").
Q: I completed and submitted my application, but now I need to make an edit. What should I do?
A: Email Lendistry at [email protected] with the subject line in capital letters “FINISHED APPLICATION EDIT REQUEST”, and list the items that need to be updated.
Q: Should I include contractors in my employee count?
A: No. If all of your staff are contractors, your answer to the number of employees is 0. This is because contractors can apply on their own as small business owners.
Q: How do I answer the questions about job numbers?
A: Jobs retained – the number of employees as of 12/31/20; Jobs created – the number of new jobs or employees to be recalled in 2021
Q: What should I do if my organization uses a P.O. Box for our address?
A: P.O. Boxes should only be used as an address if there is absolutely no other address available, because Lendistry must verify that there is a physical location associated with the application. You may use a staff or Board member’s address, as many people are working from home.
Q: If my application is successful, when will funds be available?
A: Approximately 45 days after all required documents are submitted.
Q: My organization doesn’t have a bank account. What do I do?
A: If you are selected to receive a grant, you must have a bank account to receive the funds.
Q: If I am selected to receive a grant, what happens next?
A: Successful applicants will be notified by phone, email, and text. They will then have to sign the grant agreement, which will be provided through DocuSign. An approved applicant may also hear by phone from both Lendistry’s validation and bank documents teams, in no particular order.