Business Development and Support Division

The SBA will begin accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) grant program on April 8. You can access the application portal here.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare to apply:

• Attend the SBA’s informational webinar on the application process from 2:30 pm to 4 pm EDT on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Those interested in participating can register here.
• Review the SBA’s frequently asked questions and video tutorials for more information on applying for a grant.
• Register in the federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM.gov), as this is required for an entity to receive an SVOG.
• Review the preliminary application checklist and eligibility requirements.

The December relief law provided $15 billion nationwide to a new SBA grant program for live venues impacted by the public health crisis. Eligible grant recipients include live venue operators, promoters or theatrical producers, independent movie theatre operators, museum operators, and talent representatives. Of the total amount, $2 billion is set aside for eligible entities that employ fewer than 50 full-time employees.

The American Rescue Plan provided an additional $1.25 billion nationwide for the program and it now allows eligible entities to access both SVO grants and PPP loans, which was previously prohibited by the December relief law. Entities are now eligible for SVO grants regardless of whether they received a second or first PPP loan after December 27, 2020. However, once an entity applies for an SVO grant, they can no longer apply for PPP. PPP currently expires on March 31, 2021, but it is expected that Congress will pass an extension before that deadline.

More information about the SVOG program is available here.