East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) is proud to announce the first round of grantees for the Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund. The initiative is designed to support small businesses in Oakland’s most underserved neighborhoods, especially those facing the greatest barriers to success.
The Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund was created to address the challenges faced by small business owners who have historically been left out of traditional financial support. This is especially true for businesses in communities that have been impacted by years of disinvestment, violence, and lack of resources. We are deeply committed to supporting businesses in neighborhoods like Downtown Oakland, East Oakland, Eastlake, Fruitvale, and West Oakland—areas that continue to face significant hurdles in accessing capital.
This year’s grantees represent a wide range of industries, from restaurants and food service to retail, health, fitness, and beauty. What unites them is their deep-rooted commitment to the communities they serve. These businesses are critical to the cultural and economic fabric of Oakland, offering vital goods and services that address the unique needs of their neighborhoods.
We are proud to highlight that:
- 96% of grantees identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color; almost half identify as Black, African-American, or African.
- Over half of business owners identify as women, transgender, or non-binary/gender variant/non-conforming.
- Over half of our grantees have been operating in Oakland for over 10 years, with 20% of them serving the Oakland community for more than 20 years.
The response to the Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund has been overwhelming, underscoring the urgent and ongoing need for investment in our city’s small business ecosystem. After a successful first round of grantmaking, the fund is now open to other partner funders who wish to collaborate with EBCF to move more resources to small businesses in need.
As we look to the future, we invite you to learn more about the first round of Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund grantees. These businesses have demonstrated incredible resilience, and by supporting them, you are contributing to the revitalization of our neighborhoods and helping to create a brighter, more inclusive future for Oakland.
To see the full list of grantee partners, click here. If you are interested in learning more, please contact smallbusinessresiliencyfund@eastbaycf.org.