Local Business Resiliency Fund

Helping locally owned businesses gather more marketing tools to increase their sales.

Let’s keep our local business community strong and thriving!

Sonoma County GO LOCAL has been working to support locally owned businesses for over 15 years. The impacts of multiple recent crises along with the increase of online shopping with mega-retailers have mobilized us to creatively strategize to provide direct support to local businesses and organizations in need.

In 2020, GO LOCAL launched the Local Business Recovery Fund (now Local Business Resiliency Fund), which resulted in significant and immediate benefit to its participants. We’re excited to continue to offer this fund for a fifth year. With these funds, participating locally-owned Sonoma County businesses can double their GO LOCAL marketing and advertising investment, helping them improve their marketing presence, reach more customers and strengthen sales affordably.

This modest matching-funds program is intended as just one of many sources of support for the local business community. An array of economic and community support is necessary to help offset losses from the many challenges to Sonoma County businesses in recent years.

“Community-based financial relief programs are more efficient than state and federal support; are better tailored to the needs of local businesses to aid in regional economic recovery; strengthen collaborative partnerships that may extend into the long-term.” (Institute for Local Self Reliance report, 2020).

Apply Today!

2025 BUSINESS PARTICIPATION FAQ

What is the timeline?

The general timeline is aimed to especially support local Sonoma County businesses who particularly rely on robust Q4 holiday sales, which for some sectors can comprise as much of 50% of their annual sales revenue. 

  • Sponsor funding secured – by July 1
  • Open application period for local businesses – Aug 1 – Aug 14
  • Recipient businesses contacted – September 9
  • Recipients meet with GO LOCAL to finalize their custom plan – by September 30
How does it work?

This program is targeted to locally owned Sonoma County businesses who know they need to invest in some level of marketing and advertising immediately to help them increase their marketing presence and sales. Businesses who apply must be ready to commit either $500 or $1000 of their own investment to receive matching funds. 

Businesses commit $500 of their own to get a total of $1,000 to spend on GO LOCAL marketing & advertising, or

Businesses commit $1000 of their own to get a total of $2,000 to spend on GO LOCAL marketing & advertising.

Who is offering and managing this fund?

GO LOCAL is the membership co-op that is raising sponsorship dollars from local financial institutions and other local businesses to make this program happen – see a list of past sponsors below. GO LOCAL administers the funds for the local business participants that apply. 

What can funds be spent on?

Selected businesses will work with the GO LOCAL team to craft a custom marketing & advertising plan with their budget, choosing from an extensive menu of GO LOCAL marketing and advertising options with local service providers. 

How does my business apply?

2025 applications open Aug 1 and businesses can apply using this form. The application period is through Aug 14. Selected businesses will be contacted starting September 9.
Fund approval will be based on:

  • Commitment to submit full payment of $500 or $1000 within 30 days of program selection (by Oct 1st), or in 2 payments within 60 days (by Nov 1st).
  • Date of application submission.
  • Current status as a locally-owned business or a nonprofit in Sonoma County.
  • A very brief need statement, describing any recent negative impact to their business of consumer trends, or global and/or local events.
What happens once businesses are selected?

Selected applicant businesses will be contacted the first week of September to set up a phone, online, or in person meeting to craft their customized marketing & advertising plan with their funds from GO LOCAL’s menu of offerings. Then we’ll get your plan rolling!

What our customers say

TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST RECIPIENTS

I received matching funds with GO LOCAL’s Local Business Recovery Fund in the fall of 2021, and it was helpful to my business because we really needed to enter the post-quarantine economy strong, and marketing is so key to our continued success and staying power. I’m so grateful for my relationship with Janeen and the GO LOCAL family, they have the resources and connections I need to compete locally for my financial sustainability and to employ a diverse group of people from my community. 

– Melena Moore, Bliss Organic Day Spa

Local Business Recovery Fund through GO LOCAL has provided our organization the ability to continue advertising to our target customers through Made Local Magazine. We operate 7 farmers’ markets in Sonoma County which support our local farmers, food businesses and artisans. In the current economic climate it can be difficult for nonprofits like ours to include advertising and marketing in our budgets. The Local Business Recovery Fund has allowed us to keep our marketing budget at a reasonable level so we can continue sharing what we offer to the readers of Made Local Magazine.

– Kelly Smith, Agricultural Community Events Farmers’ Markets 

GO LOCAL made advertising and reaching our local community much easier and more affordable through their business recovery fund. We were able to get more exposure and response than we would have normally for the same advertising budget; and that helped us experience a much better holiday season than anticipated. We really appreciate GO LOCAL and all of their support. 

– Micah Kradin, Olde Towne Jewelers & Filigree Estate Jewelers

2025 Local Business Resiliency Fund Sponsors

Thank you for your support!

SPONSORSHIP FAQ

Where do sponsor dollars go?
  • $1,000 – provides matching funds for 1-2 businesses
  • $5,000 – provides matching funds for 5-10 businesses
  • $10,000 – provides matching funds for 10-20 businesses 

  • $25,000 – provides matching funds for 25-50 businesses
What are the benefits of being a sponsor?
  • Logos featured in all promos, and in communications to participating businesses during the length of the program.
  • Sponsors can opt to match their funds directly to selected participating merchants for direct co-promotion and connection.
  • Sponsors may also provide additional resources to be shared individually with participating businesses.
How can my business sponsor the Local Business Resiliency Fund

Contact m.weisman@golocal.coop to become a sponsor.

Thank you to our previous sponsors!

A huge thanks to our 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 sponsors who have contributed over $63,000 in matching funds!

  • City of Santa Rosa
  • Clover Sonoma
  • Exchange Bank
  • Friedman’s Home Improvement
  • Luther Burbank Savings
  • Mengali Accountancy
  • Mercy Wellness
  • Oliver’s Market
  • Poppy Bank
  • SOMO Living
  • An anonymous donor of $5,000