California Venues Grant Program. This program is funded by the State of California and administered by CalOSBA.

California Venues Grant Program

This Program is now closed, and grant awards are no longer available.

Important Information for 2023 Tax Returns

1099 Tax Forms Now Available for Download

If you received a grant for this program in 2023, you are required to report it on your upcoming 2023 tax returns. In order to do so, you will need to retrieve a copy of you 1099 tax form.

How can you retrieve your 1099 tax form?
Your 1099 tax form is available at https://tax1099.com/edelivery/login. CLICK HERE for a guide on how to retrieve your 1099 tax form with step-by-step instructions.

This guide also provides information on your username and password that is needed to sign in. Once signed in, you may elect to opt-in to download your 1099 tax form electronically or opt-out to receive it by mail.

For assistance with accessing your 2023 tax form please contact Lendistry’s dedicated Customer Experience Team at (888) 870-2203 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. PST) or 1099request@lendistry.com.

Important Note: Lendistry and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. Readers should consult their own tax, legal and accounting advisors before completing their tax filings.

THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR RESULTS OBTAINED FROM ANY INFORMATION POSTED IN THIS PRESENTATION OR ANY LINKED WEBSITE.

We want to help

you fill those seats again.

PLEASE NOTE: Lendistry is the sole entity designated as the Intermediary of the California Venues Grant Program (the “Program”). This site (cavenuesgrant.com) and the other websites available on or through this site (the “Designated Sites”) are the only approved websites designated for the administration of the Program. Any other website purporting to administer or otherwise act as an Intermediary in connection with the Program may be fraudulent. As such, you should exercise extreme caution and avoid providing any information (personal or otherwise) in connection with the Program on or through any website other than the Designated Sites. Further, neither Lendistry nor any of its partners will charge any fees to apply for a relief grant under the Program and we recommend that you avoid any third parties purporting to charge fees for you to apply.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The California Venues Grant Program (“Program”) will support eligible independent live events venues that have been affected by COVID-19 in order to support their continued operation.

GRANT AWARD
Grants awarded under this Program shall be in an amount equal to the lesser of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or 20 percent (20%) of the applicant’s gross earned revenue in California for the 2019 taxable year.

PROGRAM PRIORITIZATION
Prioritization will be based on the following criteria to the extent permissible under state and federal equal protection laws: Grants to eligible independent live events shall be prioritized on documented percentage gross earned revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing California gross earned revenues in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2020 and California gross earned revenues in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2019.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Eligible independent live event applicants shall complete a new and separate application for the grants allocated under this program even if they already have submitted an application for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program established in Section 12100.83 of the California Government Code.
  • If an eligible independent live event has been awarded a grant under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program established in Section 12100.83 of the California Government Code, the amount of that grant shall be subtracted from the grant amount awarded under this program. If the grant amount awarded under Section 12100.83 of the California Government Code is greater than the amount awarded under this program, the eligible independent live event shall not receive a grant under this program and no amount shall be subtracted.

Eligibility

“Eligible Venue”

For purposes of this Program, “eligible venue” means a venue with the following characteristics:

  1. A defined performance and audience space.
  2. Mixing equipment, a public address system, and a lighting rig.
  3. Engages one or more individuals to carry out not less than two of the following roles:
    • A sound engineer.
    • A booker.
    • A promoter.
    • A stage manager.
    • Security personnel.
    • A box office manager.
  1. Is one of the three highest revenue-grossing entities, locations, or franchises associated with the applicant.
  2. For a venue owned or operated by a nonprofit entity that produces free events, the events are produced and managed primarily by paid employees, not by volunteers.

“Eligible Independent Live Event”

For purposes of this program, “eligible independent live event” means an entity that satisfies all of the following:

  1. Is a sole proprietor, C-corporation, S-corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, or a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that satisfies the criteria defined in subparagraphs (B) through (F) inclusive of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 12100.82 of the California Government Code.
  1. Is in any of the following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) or National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) codes, inclusive:
    • 512131 -Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins).
    • 512132 -Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters.
      • An entity that qualifies under this clause shall be an authentic drive-in motion picture theater. For purposes of this clause, “authentic drive-in motion picture theater” means a permanently constructed commercial motion picture drive-in theater of which the main purpose of the property is the outdoor exhibition of motion pictures for patrons in vehicles using professional Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) compliant digital projectors or 35mm or 70mm film.

    • 7111 –Performing Arts Companies.
    • 711110 -Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters.
    • 711120 –Dance Companies.
    • 711130 –Musical Groups and Artists.
    • 711211 –Sports Teams and Clubs.
  • 7113 – Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events.
  • 711310 – Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities.
  • 711320 – Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities.
  • 7139 – Other Amusement and Recreation Industries.
  • 713990 – All Other Amusement and Recreation.
  • 722410 – Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages).
  • 722511 – Full-Service Restaurants.
  • A20 –Arts, Cultural Organizations -Multipurpose.
  • A23 –Cultural, Ethnic Awareness.
  • A25 –Arts Education.
  • A50 –Museums.
  • A54 –History Museums.
  • A56 –Natural History, Natural Science Museums.
  • A60 –Performing Arts Organizations.
  • A61 –Performing Arts Centers.
  • A62 –Dance.
  • A63 –Ballet.
  • A65 –Theater.
  • A68 –Music.
  • A69 –Symphony Orchestras.
  • A6A –Opera.
  • A6B –Singing, Choral.
  • A6C –Music Groups, Bands, Ensembles.
  • A90 –Arts Service Organizations and Activities.
  1. Is any of the following:
    • An individual or entity that meets both of the following criteria:
      • As a principal business activity, organizes, promotes, produces, manages, or hosts live concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions, or other events by performing artists at an eligible venue where both of the following take place: (a) a cover charge through ticketing or front door entrance fee is applied; and (b) performers are paid.
      • At least 70 percent of the earned revenue of the individual or entity is generated through cover charges or ticket sales, production fees or production reimbursements, or the sale of event beverages, food, or merchandise.
    • An individual or entity that, as a principal business activity, makes tickets to events available for purchase by the public an average of not less than 30 days before the date of the event, which shall meet both of the following:
      • As a principal business activity, organizes, promotes, produces, manages, or hosts live concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions, or other events by performing artists at an eligible venue where both of the following take place: (a) a cover charge through ticketing or front door entrance fee is applied; and (b) performers are paid.
      • Performers are paid in an amount that is based on a percentage of sales, a guarantee in writing or standard contract, or another mutually beneficial formal agreement.
  • An individual or entity that meets all the following criteria:
    • As a principal business activity, organizes, promotes, produces, manages, or hosts live sporting events at an eligible venue where both of the following take place: (a) a cover charge through ticketing or front door entrance fee is applied; and (b) performers are paid.
    • At least 70 percent of the earned revenue of the individual or entity is generated through cover charges or ticket sales, production fees or production reimbursements, or the sale of event beverages, food, or merchandise.
    • The individual or entity is not a major league or professional sports team or club, and is not owned by a major league or professional sports team or club.

Grant Award

Grants awarded under this Program shall be in an amount equal to the lesser of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or 20 percent (20%) of the applicant’s gross earned revenue in California for the 2019 taxable year.

Ineligible Businesses

Notwithstanding the three previous pages, “eligible independent live event” shall not include entities that satisfy any of the following:

  • Is a publicly traded corporation, or is majority owned and controlled by a publicly traded corporation.
  • Owns or operates entities in more than five states or in another country, or is owned by an entity that owns or operates entities in more than five states or in another country.
  • Generates less than 75 percent of its gross earned revenue in California.
  • Demonstrates a percentage gross earned revenue decline in California of less than 30 percent, based on a reporting period comparing Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2020, compared to Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2019.
  • Businesses without a physical presence in the state and not headquartered in the state.
  • Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, regardless of whether the entity is registered as a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19).
  • Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their tax returns.
  • Financial institutions or businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factoring companies.
  • Businesses engaged in any activity that is unlawful under federal, state, or local law.
  • Businesses that restrict patronage for any reason other than capacity.
  • Speculative businesses.
  • Businesses with any owner of greater than 10 percent of the equity interest in it who meets one or more of the following criteria:
    • The owner has, within the prior three years, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against the owner, or has had commenced any form of parole or probation, including probation before judgment, for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a federal, state, or local public transaction or contract under a public transaction, violation of federal or state antitrust or procurement statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.
    • The owner is presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a federal, state, or local government entity, with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in clause (i).
  • Affiliated companies, as defined in Section 121.103 of Title 13 of
    the Code of Federal Regulations.
  • Other businesses determined by California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), consistent with the limitations and exclusions set in previous rounds of the COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

Eligible Uses of Funds

Grant moneys awarded under this section shall only be used for costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and safety restrictions, or business interruptions or closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the following:

  • Employee expenses, including payroll costs, health care benefits, paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums.
  • Working capital and overhead, including rent, utilities, mortgage principal, and interest payments, but excluding mortgage prepayments, and debt obligations, including principal and interest, incurred before March 1, 2020.
  • Costs associated with reopening business operations after being fully or partially closed due to state-mandated COVID-19 health and safety restrictions and business closures.
  • Costs associated with complying with COVID-19 federal, state, or local guidelines for reopening with required safety protocols, including, but not limited to, equipment, plexiglass barriers, outdoor dining, personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, testing, and employee training expenses.
  • Any other COVID-19-related expenses not already covered through grants, forgivable loans, or other relief through federal, state, county, or city programs.
  • Any other COVID-19-related costs that are not human resource expenses for the state share of Medicaid, employee bonuses, severance pay, taxes, legal settlements, personal expenses, or other expenses unrelated to COVID-19 impacts, repairs from damages already covered by insurance, or reimbursement to donors for donated items or services.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All of the following documents are required and must be uploaded to the Portal:

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Application Certification (PDF)

Completed and signed to self-certify the truthfulness and
accuracy of the information you provide in the web application
and supporting documents.

Business Financials (PDF)

All pages of the business 2019 federal tax returns
All pages of the business 2019 California tax returns
All pages of the business 2020 federal tax returns
All pages of business 2020 California tax returns

Government-Issued ID (PDF or JPEG)

Driver’s License or Passport (Expired IDs will not be accepted)

Interim Financial Statements (PDF)

Interim financials statement covering Q2, Q3 & Q4 for 2019
Interim financials statement covering Q2, Q3 & Q4 for 2020
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Official filing with the California Secretary of State

(which must be active) or local municipality, as applicable, for your business such as one of the following (PDF):

Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Organization
Fictitious Name of Registration
Government-issued Business License (sole proprietors without fictitious name)

Nonprofits Only: Most Recent IRS Tax Exemption Letter (PDF)

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Note:

Must provide a California Secretary of State filing evidencing that the business was legally doing business in the State of California prior to June 1, 2019.
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