The grants are a joint effort between the State and New Castle County to assist Delaware small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds for the program come from the federal CARES Act.

If you’re a business, you must meet the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition of a small business for your industry. If you’re a nonprofit, you must be a registered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organization.

At least 51 percent of the business or nonprofit’s operations must be physically located in the state of Delaware. Businesses and nonprofits whose sole connection to Delaware is that they are incorporated here, are not eligible.

Businesses that have received previous grants or loans from the State (EDGE, HELP, DTIP, etc.) are eligible to apply for DE Relief Grants.

A disproportionately impacted industry is one in which many businesses within it had their operations significantly restricted by pandemic containment measures during at least the months of April and May and also experienced significant job losses from January to May and/or had an average industry profit margin below 10% prior to COVID-19. Delaware specific data was used whenever possible to make these determinations, but when it was not available national data was substituted.

• 501(c)3 organizations that are not in a disproportionately impacted industry

All grants issued to for-profit businesses must be closed out in 2021. In order to close out the grant, a business must submit proof of all relevant expenditures along with federal tax returns for calendar year 2020 that show a revenue decrease relative to 2019. If a decrease is not shown, the grant must be paid back to the state with interest applied.

The amount a business or nonprofit can receive is based upon 2019 revenue and could be up to $100,000.

• $0-$500,000 in revenue: Up to $30,000 (6 percent of 2019 revenue)
• $500,000-$1 million: Up to $50,000 ($30,000 + 4 percent of 2019 revenue in excess of $500,000)
• $1 million-$2.5 million: Up to $72,500 ($50,000 + 1.5% of 2019 revenue in excess of $1 million)
• $2.5+ million: Up to $100,000 ($72,500 plus 1 percent of 2019 revenue in excess of $2.5 million)

Gov. Carney has announced all recipients will receive bonus payments. Size depends on industry.

• Bars and restaurants – 150% bonus on original grant amount
• Other disproportionately impacted industries – 35% bonus on original grant amount
• All other recipients – 20% bonus on original grant amount

Here is a complete list of eligible expenses. Broadly, the grant can be used for the following:

• Equipment purchased to make business suitable for COVID-19 safety (PPE, plexiglass, air purifiers, etc)
• Refinancing of debt incurred due to COVID-19 (including state of Delaware HELP loans)
• Technological enhancements undertaken in order to adapt business model for COVID-19
• Advertising efforts undertaken as a result of COVID-19
• Fixed expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc.) deferred for payment the applicant accrued during COVID-19*

*If you are unsure if an expense would eligible, connect with a regional business manager for assistance

DE Relief Grant recipients have until December 31, 2021 to spend bonus funds. As a reminder, the bonus money can be used on valid business expenses, including:

Apply online. The application is available above when a funding period is open.

Follow the Division of Small Business on social media (Facebook and Twitter) for updates on timing for an application period to start.

Gather the following documents, which you will need to submit as part of your grant application:

• Complete 2019 tax return
• State of Delaware Business License (must submit unless in an industry with a legal exemption from this requirement)
• Receipts for qualifying expenses (carefully check what qualifies as an eligible expenses)

A business can petition the Delaware Division of Small Business for an accommodation for a special circumstance that would render it otherwise ineligible to apply for or to take full advantage of a grant.

Email DEReliefGrants@delaware.gov with the name of the applicant and a brief explanation of why an accommodation is being sought.

Decisions will be made within 10 business days of receiving an such, unless additional follow up or information is needed. Decisions are final, and the ability for a business to then apply is contingent on funding availability.

Application rejections appeals – for incomplete application information or for clearly ineligible expenses or for other reasons that go against the intent grant program – will not be considered.

The Division of Small Business’s team of Regional Business Managers is available to help companies prepare their applications. Small businesses should connect with the manager for their part of the state.

As of 5 pm on April 1, 2021, the application portal closed for new applicants. If you have an existing application under review, you can use the portal to check on its status.

Contact a member of the Division of Small Business Regional Business Manager team. Or send an email to business@delaware.gov.