Supervisor Don Wagner’s Third District Small Business Training & Grant Program

Application Portal Opens:
Tuesday, September 1, 9:00am until Friday, September 25, 5:00pm

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Third District Supervisor Don Wagner has allocated $100,000 of his discretionary funding to support the training and education of small businesses.

Small businesses in Orange County’s Third District are invited to participate in a four-week virtual training program designed to provide practical tools, resources, and guidance to help strengthen and grow your business.

Eligible businesses that successfully complete the training and a one-on-one consulting session will receive a $1,000 grant to help address immediate business needs and support continued growth.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

The Third District is offering a four-week Small Business Training Grant Program in partnership with California State University, Fullerton’s Orange County-Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (“CSUF SBDC”.) The CSUF SBDC serves as a resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the country by providing consulting services, business plan development, financial plan guidance, and more. The Small Business Training & Grant Program will provide training and funding to brick-and-mortar commercial businesses, physically located in the Third District seeking to increase their social media presence and improve their digital marketing strategies. All eligible businesses are invited to apply.

The Third District Small Business Training & Grant Program is comprised of four (4) virtual sessions and one (1) one-on-one consulting session with the theme of “Creating a Digital Presence.” One individual must attend all training sessions and the consultation. This is at the discretion of the owner, but it must be the same person in attendance during each session to be eligible for the grant award. You will be allowed one opportunity to retake a missed session, but it must be done before the October 28th end of the program.

Approved businesses may be eligible to receive a participation grant of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

Business owners may use the grant at their discretion to help address immediate business needs and support continued growth. The program is based on the availability of funds, program guidelines, and submission of all required information and supporting documentation.

District Reserved Rights

The Third District reserves the unqualified right, in its sole and absolute discretion at any time: (1) to amend or terminate this program with no recourse for any proposing applicant; (2) to choose or reject any or all applications received in response to this program; (3) to modify the application deadlines; (4) to request additional information of the applicants as deemed necessary and appropriate; (5) to conduct further due diligence with applicants or any third party; (6) to modify objectives or the scope of the program; (7) to modify program requirements, general terms and conditions, or eligible activities; and/or (8) to disqualify any proposing applicant on the basis of any real or perceived conflict of interest that is disclosed or revealed by materials submitted or by any data available to the Third District.

Equal Opportunity Policy

The Third District and shall not discriminate upon the basis of sex, age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, marital status, ancestry, or physical handicap in accepting applications and processing program applications. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first come, first served basis.

Funding Partners

Charitable Ventures, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will administer the Program, including collecting and reviewing applications, verifying eligibility, and review of financial and business documentation for disbursement of the grant award to the eligible businesses.

The CSUF SBDC, the District’s training partner, will be responsible for the four-session training and one in-person consultation. The CSUF SBDC will provide the District with regular updates regarding training and business participation.

TRAINING DESCRIPTION:

Participants will take part in interactive group training sessions complemented by individual one-on-one consulting with CSUF SBDC consultants, providing personalized guidance to help apply what they learn directly to their business. All training sessions will be conducted in English.

The virtual trainings (link to be sent by CSUF SBDC after approval) will take place on Wednesdays at 1:30pm-3:00pm in October: October 7, October 14, October 21, and October 28. The one-on-one consulting session must take place before the final training on October 28th. You will be allowed one opportunity to retake a missed session, but it must be done before the October 28th end of the program.

What Participants Will Learn 

  • Get Your Business Found on Google 
    Learn how customers search for businesses online and how to strengthen your visibility on Google. Participants will explore the importance of Google, learn how to create or improve their Google Business Profile, and understand how their online presence can help attract new customers.
  • Reach Your Audience Through Social Media 
    Learn how to use social media platforms to connect with current and potential customers. Participants will explore how to capture effective photos and videos, develop engaging content, and create strong calls to action that encourage customers to take the next step.
  • Create Content That Connects 
    Move from learning to doing. Participants will learn how to create and publish photos and videos on social media, build an engaged social media audience, and develop content and campaigns designed to support business growth and increase sales.
  • Introduction to Social Media Advertising 
    Understand the fundamentals of paid advertising on social media, including the different types of campaigns available, how much businesses should consider spending, what results to measure, and the key elements of an effective advertisement. Participants will also explore whether platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X may be appropriate for their business and target audience.
  • Build Your Social Media Campaign 
    Put everything together by developing a social media advertising campaign for your business. Participants will identify their offer and call to action, select images or video, define their target audience, determine relevant keywords and messaging, establish campaign goals, and develop an appropriate advertising budget.

Hands-On Support Beyond the Classroom 

Throughout the program, participants will be aligned with a CSUF SBDC consultant to receive individualized assistance to strengthen their digital marketing strategy, troubleshoot challenges, and continue working toward their business goals.

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligibility for the Third District Small Business Grant Program is limited to businesses that meet the following established criteria on a first come, first served basis:

  • Be a brick-and-mortar commercial business physically located within the Third District. DISTRICT MAP FOUND HERE to confirm the business location.
  • Have a valid and current business license on file.
  • Have at least two employees and no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees as of January 1, 2026. Note: The owner may count as an employee and two part-time employees will be considered equivalent to one full-time employee.
  • Be in good standing with the County, including being current on County bills and having no liens or judgments.
  • Be in compliance with all applicable County permits and licensing requirements.
  • Commitment that only one individual will attend all training sessions and consultation. This is at the discretion of the owner, but it must be the same person in attendance during each session to be eligible for the grant award.
  • Submit a complete application along with all required supporting documentation.

Note: Cannabis-related businesses, gambling facilities, adult entertainment businesses, massage parlors, and nonprofits will not be eligible for the Program. Residential or real estate projects, including short-term rental operators, will also be excluded.

ELIGIBLE FUNDING USE:

As noted above, one person must attend all four of the virtual CSUF SBDC Small Business Program sessions and one personal consulting session to receive the $1,000 grant. The chosen participant is at the discretion of the owner, but it must be the same person in attendance during each session.

Business owners may use the grant at their discretion to help address immediate business needs and support continued growth.

APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE PERIOD:

Applications will be available as of Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 9:00am PDT at this website address. The application portal will remain open until Friday, September 25, 2026 at 5:00pm PDT.

AWARD PROCESS:

Step One:

  1. Applicants must complete the application in full, including uploading all of the requested documentation. This funding is first-come, first-served or until the first 100 applications are approved, so please take the time to ensure that your application and documentation is accurate and complete. Incomplete applications will be moved to the end of the line for verification, if funding is available.
  2. When you submit your application, an immediate screen notification will display to show that your application has been received.

Step Two:

  1. Verification of all applications is thorough and takes time. You will be notified at the email address you provide in your application, if you have qualified for the program, or are disqualified by October 1st.
  2. CSUF SBDC and the Third District will verify program completion and funding approval. Once confirmed that the training program requirements have been met, awardees will receive a detailed email around November 9th regarding when to expect the funding. Charitable Ventures uses a secure third-party platform for all distributions.

If the program requirements are not met, then the applicant is disqualified from receiving the grant funding and will be notified by email.

If you have questions, please contact D3grants@cvforgood.org or by phone at (714) 597-6630 x108. (Available 8am – 5pm, M-F – except holidays)

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:

You will be asked to provide the following documentation and information in the application to be considered for funding:

    • Current and valid business license
    • Signed Form W-9 (learn more). A Form 1099 will be issued by January 29, 2027 to all awardees, in the amount of the total award.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Will the program and grant application information be available in other languages?

All training sessions will be conducted in English. The grant application is only available in English.

If I have questions that are not included on the website, who can I email?

Please email questions regarding the grant application and process to D3grants@cvforgood or call (714) 597-6630 x 108.

How will I know if my application was received?

Upon submission, you will see a confirmation notice confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

Please note that, depending on the initial volume of applicants, the system might temporarily show your application as “sending.” Please be patient – our system will accept your submission in the order received.

What geographic areas are eligible for funding?

To be eligible for funding the business must be a brick and mortar in operation within the geographical boundaries of the Third District in the County of Orange, California.

If you are unsure whether your business is located within the Third District, you can verify your location here: District Map

What can I use the grant funds to pay for?

Business owners may use the grant at their discretion to help address immediate business needs and support continued growth.

Will I have to pay taxes on the grant funding I receive?

Yes. Grantees will receive a Form 1099 from Charitable Ventures by January 29, 2027. We cannot provide tax advice, and it is recommended that applicants seek financial counsel from an attorney or tax professional prior to applying for this grant, if needed.

Can I receive grant funds if I miss a session of training?

No. To receive the $1,000 grant, the designated participant must attend all four virtual training sessions and complete the required one-on-one consulting session. You will be allowed one opportunity to retake a missed session, but it must be done before the October 28th end of the program. Businesses that do not complete all program requirements will not be eligible to receive grant funding.

My business is based at home. Do I qualify to participate?

No. To be eligible for funding, businesses must operate from a brick-and-mortar commercial location physically located within Orange County’s Third District. Home-based businesses are not eligible for this program.

Who can attend the trainings?

The business owner may choose the individual who will participate in the program. However, the same person must attend all four training sessions and complete the required one-on-one consulting session for the business to remain eligible for the grant award.

I have multiple franchise businesses (or multiple businesses) in the Third District. Can I receive a grant for each business?

No. A franchise owner (or owner of multiple businesses in the Third District) cannot apply multiple times. There will only be one award allowed per owner.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

No. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible for this program. The program is intended for eligible for-profit brick-and-mortar businesses located within Orange County’s Third District.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For additional information, please email D3grants@cvforgood.org or call (714) 597-6630 x108. (Available 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday – except holidays)

APPLICATION:

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For additional information, please email D3grants@cvforgood.org or call (714) 597-6630 x108. (Available 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday – except holidays)