California Dream Fund
About Dream Fund
The California Dream Fund is a training and microgrant program for California entrepreneurs.
To qualify, small businesses must complete eight (8) intensive training sessions through the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Upon completion of the training, which includes 8 online workshops and one-on-one advising, participants who take steps to formalize their business will be eligible to apply for a grant.
Business eligibility and training program requirements
Business Eligibility
- Your business must be classified as a small business (5 employees or less)
- You must have started your business on or after July 2, 2019
- Has acquired the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally AND at least one of the following:
- Has made a first sale*
- Has spent money on business expenses; this may include legal and accounting fees*
- Has obtained capital for the business
- Has hired at least 1 employee (must be a W2 employee)
- Has created a business banking relationship
- Each participating entrepreneur must agree to report on the progress of their business to the SB TAEP Center where they received their training for at least one year or until the business is no longer operating.
Qualifying Training workshops for Dream Fund
- Attend a total of 4 scheduled workshops, any combination of:
- Small Business Strong
- Doing Business With
- Participate in a total of 1 OneLA Inclusive Procurement Training Program consisting of 4 classes
- Must attend or view the class recordings, and complete all homework assignments
- Meet One-on-One with an advisor through our free Resilient Business Advising program.
- You need a total of 8 workshops (Small Business Strong, Doing Business With, and OneLA Inclusive Procurement) to qualify
Upon completion of the 8 total workshops (Small Business Strong, Doing Business With, and OneLA Procurement) and Resilient Business Advising program, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation will assist qualified businesses through the application process to ensure all licensing requirements and required documentation is complete and submitted to our grant partner, Lendistry.
Please reach out to [email protected], if you have any questions.
Upcoming Qualifying Workshops:
- July 21, 2022, 10AM - Doing Business With
- July 27th, 2022, 10AM - Small Business Strong
- August 17, 2022, 10AM - Small Business Strong
- August 25th, 2022 10AM - Doing Business With
- September 15th, 2022, 10AM - Doing Business With
- September 21st, 2022, 10AM - Small Business Strong
- October 19th, 2022, 10AM - Small Business Strong
- October 27th, 2022, 10AM - Doing Business With
- November 16th, 2022, 10AM - Small Business Strong
- December 1st, 2022 10AM - Doing Business With
- December 14th, 2022 10AM - Small Business Strong
- OneLA Procurement trainings are currently being solidified, dates will be posted soon.
We are currently at capacity and are no longer accepting Dream Fund applications.
Important Note:
The California Dream Fund Grant Program is funded by the State of California and administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) in conjunction with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is only providing the necessary training programs and assistance to businesses to complete the application process but will not be making grant award decisions.