Summer 2025 Microenterprise Assistance Program

Application Deadline Extended Until August 12 at 6:00 PM

Microenterprise Assistance Program Logo

The Office of Economic Development has partnered with FORWARD to administer $335,000 in microenterprise assistance grants via the federal government's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Following the Microenterprise Assistance Program's (MEAP) competitive application and selection processes, 67 grants of $5,000 each are available to help with business costs. Priority will be given to eligible applicants including daycare and childcare providers that did not receive grants during the funding cycle that concluded in April 2025. Since 2024, MEAP has provided 65 CDBG-funded grants to eligible microenterprises totaling $250,000. This summer’s program reaffirms the City’s economic support of Milpitas’ microenterprise community since 2020. 

The application window has been extended to Tuesday, August 12 at 6:00 PM. If you have any questions, please email Support@ForwardPlatform.Zendesk.com or call FORWARD at 1-855-582-3973.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a microenterprise as, “a commercial enterprise that has five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the enterprise.” Microenterprises that received MEAP grants in 2024 are eligible to apply this year. Priority will be given to eligible commercial and home-based daycare operators. Full program details available at the program's website.

Program Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, businesses must:

  • Rent and mortgage
  • Operating expenses
  • Payroll
  • Utility payments
  • Supplies and equipment
  • Building equipment and maintenance
  • Graffiti abatement (excluding mural art)

See program website for full details.

Unique Entity Identifier Number

If your business does not have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), register for your business’ UEI as soon as possible at the federal government’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. A Unique Entity ID is a 12-character alphanumeric ID number that validates your organization’s legal business name and address. Your UEI does not expire and is required to apply for federal funding like CDBG grant funds via the MEAP program. A DUNS number will not work as SAM.gov transitioned from DUNS numbers to UEI’s in 2022. If your business previously had a DUNS number, you will need to use it to be assigned a UEI.

Provide the following information to begin the UEI registration process at SAM.gov:

  • Legal business name
  • Physical address (No P.O. Box Numbers)
  • Start year or year of incorporation
  • State of incorporation
  • National identifier (For entities based outside of the United States)

Create an account at SAM.gov. If you already have a Unique Entity ID for your Milpitas business, these instructions show how to view your UEI at SAM.gov.