NOTE: The following information is directly from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  For full details click here to be redirected to the SBA website. 

UPDATE from the U.S. Small Business Administration on April 8: "After launching the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal, technical issues arose despite multiple successful tests. After working with our vendors to address the issues, the portal was shut down to ensure fair and equal access once it is reopened.

This decision was not made lightly as we understand the need to get relief quickly to this hard-hit industry.

We'll provide updates via social media, email updates for those who have registered, and on https://sba.gov/svogrant. Entities can still register in the portal and SBA will share advance notice of the time/date for reopening the SVOG application portal with registrants.

Sign up for updates, view application checklists, see answers to frequently asked questions, watch video tutorials, and more at https://sba.gov/svogrant

Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these technical issues with the application portal."

Program details

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

Who can apply

Eligible entities include:

  • Live venue operators or promoters
  • Theatrical producers
  • Live performing arts organization operators
  • Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
  • Motion picture theater operators
  • Talent representatives
  • Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements

Other requirements of note:

  • Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
  • Venue or promoter who received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020, will have the SVOG reduced by the PPP loan amount

Grant amount

Grant amounts will reflect either of the following instances:

  • For an eligible entity in operation on January 1, 2019, grants will be for an amount equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue OR $10 million, whichever is less.
  • For an eligible entity that began operation after January 1, 2019, grants will be for the average monthly gross earned revenue for each full month you were in operation during 2019 multiplied by six (6) OR $10 million, whichever is less.

Video tutorials

Long form

Short form

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal opens today, April 8 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. For full details click here to be redirected to the SBA website.