“Business Innovation and Resiliency Fund” will support Mendocino County small businesses hurt by the pandemic

MENDOCINO Co., 5/21/20 — The majority of Mendocino County businesses are considered “micro-businesses” of five employees or less, and since such business owners are often operating on small margins, many have suffered severe financial impacts due to thee COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders over the last two months. To assist small business owners who need financial help to re-open or pivot their business with the new public health concerns, the Community Foundation of Mendocino County has established a new “Business Innovation and Resilience Fund” to provide $5,000 grants to small for-profit micro-businesses facing closure due to the pandemic.

These new business grants will be administered by West Business Development Center, and will be drawn from a fund set up by the Community Foundation, which hopes to reach a total goal of $300,000 towards the business grants. The fund is currently supported through contributions from the J-Olivanti Fund and the Mayfield Economic Development Fund at the Community Foundation, and gifts from our Ted and Wilma Westman Fund, the Jim and Babbie Mayfield Fund, the Kevin and Bree Klotter Charitable Trust, Pacific Gas & Electric, and an anonymous donor providing $300,000.