Santa Monica brick-and-mortar businesses can apply for one-time $5,000 grants through a new city program with $100,000 in total funding.

The Small Business Relief Microgrant Program, announced by the city on Sept. 16, will award grants to up to 20 local businesses, the Santa Monica Lookout reported. The first round of applications closes Oct. 1. The city expects to name grant recipients by early November.

The grants are part of the city's Realignment Plan, adopted in October 2025 and updated by City Council on March 24 with a $3 million Economic Development Fund and other business-support measures. Those measures included wastewater fee waivers for new restaurants and elimination of fees for simple sidewalk dining.

Mayor Caroline Torosis said the program is about the people behind the counter as much as the storefronts themselves.

"When a small business is steady, the people behind the counter are steady too," Torosis said. "These microgrants are a direct, practical way to tell the owners working impossible hours to stay open that we are in this with them."

The city said the program aims to retain locally owned businesses, encourage investment in commercial corridors and promote active storefronts. Additional application rounds will open as needed until all $100,000 has been awarded.

The city held a free workshop for prospective applicants on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. at the Pico Branch Library Annex at 2201 Pico Blvd. A second workshop was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. at the Main Library Community Room at 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Specific eligibility requirements were not detailed in the city's public announcements. Full application details are available at santamonica.gov/programs/small-business-relief-microgrant. Businesses can also email [email protected].

The city plans to highlight participating businesses after awards are announced in November.