Small Business E-Commerce Grant

The Small Business E-Commerce Program is a reimbursement grant program that helps eligible retail, food, home-based and creative for-profit businesses purchase e-commerce equipment and online upgrades. The Program's goal is to assist Cambridge's business owners with technical and financial assistance to remain competitive online. Business owners are eligible for up to $4,000. Eligible businesses can apply every three years.

This is a first come, first served program. Applicants are encouraged to have all materials prepared as early as possible. If applicants request changes after the confirmation notification from the Program Manager, then CDD will return the application to the end of the queue. CDD cannot guarantee that applications with changes will receive funding this fiscal year.

Program Overview

The Small Business E-Commerce Program entails two parts:

Part I - Eligibility Review. Complete the Eligibility Form by March 31, 2026.

Documents/information required for the Eligibility Form:

  • City of Cambridge Business Certificate (only required for businesses not incorporated with the state).
  • Lease (if brick-and-mortar business or co-working business)
  • Last two years of your household’s personal tax returns (Only required if applying as an income eligible micro-enterprise. Click here for eligibility guidelines.)
  • Estimates on e-commerce improvements. For example, an estimate from a web developer or another provider to design, upgrade your website, and/or train you on how to update your website. A picture or document showing the costs of a new point of sale/booking/registration system. 
  • A bank statement, invoice and proof of payment within the past 6 months from a web developer or other provider that designed, upgraded your website, and/or training you on how to update your website.

    You must complete Part I's eligibility requirements in order to be considered for a grant. 

Part II - Apply for the grant, which includes completing a full application and providing quotes for your desired improvements. Fully completed applications and quotes are due April 10, 2026. Incomplete applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after April 10, 2026. 

Example documents/information required:

  • At least one (1) quote on future e-commerce improvements from an outside vendor.  
  • Various forms (e.g. CORI form, Certificate of Authority, Tax Compliance, and W-9)
  • Other possible documents depending on requested improvements

Eligibility & Next Steps

Click here to review the program's eligibility guidelines. You will receive a grant application by program staff once your business is confirmed as eligible. The eligibility form is due April 10, 2025. 

Completed applications will be evaluated for compliance with funding priorities. Grants are subject to availability of federal funding. This program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is subject to their rules and regulations.

Businesses that received an ARPA Small Business E-Commerce Grant from the City of Cambridge cannot apply to this program until 2028.

 

For More Information

If you have general questions about the program or need assistance, please contact Tyrone Fells at tfells@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-7223.