The California Employer Association (CEA) is a leading resource for California businesses, offering expert guidance on employment law, HR practices, and workforce management. With a focus on providing up-to-date information, compliance support, and training, CEA helps employers navigate the complexities of California’s regulatory environment. Their services include customizable HR solutions, labor law updates, and strategic consulting to ensure that businesses remain compliant and competitive. Free Resources and Workshops available here.

The California Paid Family Leave (PFL) Grant Program provides support to small businesses in California affected by the Paid Family Leave (PFL) Program. Businesses impacted by California's Paid Family Leave program may encounter increased costs such as training existing staff to cover duties, hiring and training additional staff, and other foreseeable expenses. The PFL Grant Program is designed for eligible small businesses with 1-100 employees, where at least one employee utilizes California's Paid Family Leave program. Grants of up to $2,000 per employee are available to help offset the added financial burdens incurred during employee leave. Learn more.

Access streamlined funding for small investments in business growth with our simplified small-dollar business loans. Whether you're looking to enhance marketing efforts, expand inventory, invest in professional certifications, cover hiring expenses, create promotional materials, register for trade shows, purchase equipment, or more, our loans offer a straightforward application process, empowering you to fuel the growth of your business efficiently. Read more.

Grant applications are now open for the Carpinteria Community Services Support Program! Non-profit organizations contributing to our community’s well-being can apply for funding in four categories. Check out the details at https://bit.ly/3Tz0ZYF and submit your application by April 19, 2024. Let’s work together to make Carpinteria even better!

Close the Wage Gap, Champion Change Created for you by the California Partners Project. Use the California Equal Pay Playbook to attract and retain top talent, boost innovation and productivity, and enhance your brand reputation. This playbook is designed to equip you with actionable strategies for achieving and sustaining gender pay equity that can help your organization succeed and thrive. Learn more.

Funded by employee donations, Community Grants are awarded to nonprofits in our California service areas. A diverse advisory board, made up of Cox employees, reviews and evaluates applications to ensure that our giving is meeting the needs of our local communities. Learn More.

Do you own a small, medium, or large business and want to ensure climate-friendly policies and practices? The Community Environmental Council’s Climate Stewards program is a nine-week certification course that equips business owners to play an active role in advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Learn more.

The Community Environmental Council’s Electrify Your Life program provides free electric vehicle (EV), EV charger, solar, and energy efficiency incentives assistance to businesses and residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Let us help you navigate incentive and rebate programs that pay up to 100% of the costs to make the switch to energy efficient solutions. Learn more.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by the December 2023 Storm and Flooding that occurred Dec. 21 - 23, 2023, announced Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration.