Required Documentation
PREREQUISITES
(Click here for downloadable PDF version of checklist)
0Registered for an account on ElevateImpactOakland.com in order to complete the application
P1Contact information on the City of Oakland cannabis permit application
P2Email from Oakland Special Activity Permits Division stating that the Applicant equity status has been verified
P3City of Oakland cannabis permit inspection card for the site where the Applicant intends to operate their business
P4Applicant’s qualified equity individuals(s) have completed the Oaksterdam prerequisite course and have registered for GRASS.
P5Verified Equity Individual legal identification (photo of Driver’s license, Passport, Government ID)
P6For those who own more than 20% of the business, legal identification (photo of Driver’s license, Passport, Government ID)
P7Bank statement first page with the name of the party that the check should be made payable to (either to Verified Equity Applicant as an individual or to a Business of which the Verified Equity Applicant owns 50% or more)
P8If it has been more than 8 years since the initial verification of the applicant’s equity status, applicant must provide tax returns for the most recent past two years which demonstrate that Applicant had an annual income at or less than eighty (80) percent Oakland average median income (AMI) adjusted for household size.
P9Number in household as declared on tax return
Completed the following business and financial information:
P10Written explanation for how the funding will be used
P11Budget, also known as a Use of Proceeds statement
P12Business plan
P1312 month, monthly financial projections

ASSESSMENT SCORE DOCUMENTATION

A1Evidence of ownership percentage (%)
Resume or experience form from:
A2– Applicant
A3– Partner(s)
Reference forms for one or more of the following:
A4– Current or future customer
A5– Current or future supplier
A6– Work
A7– Strategic or joint venture partner
A8– Personal reference
A9– Someone that Applicant borrowed and repaid at least $1,000.00
A10Description of Prior Successful Project
A11Assessment of Written Explanation of how funding will be used (uploaded with prerequisites)
A12 Assessment of Use of Proceeds Statement/Budget (uploaded with prerequisites)
A13Assessment of Business Plan (uploaded with prerequisites)
A14Assessment of 12-month monthly financial statement (uploaded with prerequisites)

TIER DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

ITier 1: Establish the Business
1.1 Completed online Application
1.2 Fulfilled Prerequisites
1.3 Fulfilled Assessment Documentation
1.4 Proof of lease, sublease or incubator agreement
1.5 Personal Financial Statement
IITier 2: Get Compliant
2.1 Completed Tier 1 requirements
2.2 Proof of trademark search and business name usability
2.3 Organization documents for business entity
2.4 Operating agreement signed by business partners
2.5 Fictitious business name statement (or evidence of application)
2.6 City of Oakland tax certification (or evidence of application)
2.7 State of California’s seller’s permit (or evidence of application unless does not apply)
2.8 City of Oakland Certificate of Occupancy # (not the actual certificate) and field inspection date
IIITier 3: Open the Business
3.1 Completed Tier 1 & 2 requirements
3.2 Temporary, provisional or annual state license
3.3 Evidence of compliance with Oakland’s Minimum Wage Ordinance
3.4 If Applicant has employees, upload paycheck stub and required quarterly payroll report that shows proof of compliance with Employment Development Department regulations (i.e. payroll tax, unemployment and disability insurance, etc.)
3.5 Evidence of bookkeeping system
3.6 Insurance with policy endorsement showing with the City of Oakland, its council members, directors, officers, agents, employees and volunteers listed as an additional insured (General liability is required. Auto insurance is required if you are a transportation or delivery business. Worker’s compensation is required if the business has employees). Click here to download the Insurance Checklist.
IVTier 4: Start Operations
4.1 Completed Tier 1, 2 & 3 requirements
4.2 Copy of EITHER:
(i) Completed and signed inspection card; OR
(ii) Copy of invoices for costs associated with bringing the Applicant’s cannabis facility into compliance with building & fire code requirements in order to obtain a completed inspection card
VTier 5: Grow the Business
5.1 Completed Tier 1, 2, 3 & 4 requirements
5.2 Copy of completed and signed inspection card
5.3 Proof that the business is EITHER:
(i) 100% owned by individuals satisfying the City of Oakland equity criteria; OR
(ii) Will match the City of Oakland grant or loan amount in cash with an equal sized loan or investment from a 3rd-Party, as described on the “Tier Match Form” found here.
5.4 LOAN ONLY: Has been previously issued a $100,000 City of Oakland Equity Loan, is not delinquent & has made on-time loan payments for the 3 previous consecutive months.
5.5 GRANT ONLY: Has previously been grants totaling $50,000 and is not delinquent on an equity loan & has made on-time loan payments for 3 previous consecutive months.
VITier 6: Expand the Business
6.1 Completed Tier 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 requirements
6.2 Proof that the business is EITHER:
(i) 100% owned by individuals satisfying the City of Oakland equity criteria; OR
(ii) Will match the City of Oakland loan or grant amount in cash with an equal sized loan or investment from a 3rd-Party, as shown on the “Tier Match Form” found here.
6.3 LOAN ONLY: Has been previously issued a $100,000 City of Oakland Equity Loan, is not delinquent & has made on-time loan payments for the 3 previous consecutive months.
6.4 GRANT ONLY: Has previously been grants totaling $50,000 and is not delinquent on an equity loan & has made on-time loan payments for 3 previous consecutive months.

FOLLOW-ON FUNDING INFORMATION

Confirmation of the following:
F1Applicant is not delinquent on its equity loan and has made on-time loan payments for the three previous consecutive months (Program Manager to obtain)
F2Applicant is current on its tax payments due to the City of Oakland (Program Manager to obtain)
Collect the following:
F3Receipts totaling 70% of the prior funds provided to Applicant
Completed the following business and financial information:
F4Written explanation for how the follow-on funding will be used
F5Budget, also known as a Use of Proceeds statement, for the follow-on amount
F6Updated Business plan, if more than 1 year old
F7Updated 12 month, monthly financial projections, if more than one year old

Verify that the following documentation is up-to-date and has not changed:
F8Name on bank account
F9Business name
F10Tax returns for the most recent past two years which demonstrate that Applicant had an annual income at or less than eighty (80) percent Oakland average median income (AMI) adjusted for household size.
F11Number in household as declared on tax return
F12Evidence of ownership percentage (%)
F13Proof of lease, sublease or incubator agreement
F14Operating agreement signed by business partners
F15City of Oakland tax certification (or evidence of application)
F16State of California’s seller’s permit (or evidence of application unless does not apply)
F17City of Oakland Certificate of Occupancy # (not the actual certificate) and field inspection date (if inspection card is not complete)
F18Temporary, provisional or annual state license (has not expired)
F19Insurance with policy endorsement showing the City of Oakland, its council members, directors, officers, agents, employees and volunteers listed as an additional insured (has not expired)
F20Evidence of compliance with Oakland’s Minimum Wage Ordinance
F21If Applicant has employees, upload paycheck stub and required quarterly payroll report that shows proof of compliance with Employment Development Department regulations (i.e. payroll tax, unemployment and disability insurance, etc.)
EXHIBITS ON EQUITY FUNDING WEBSITE
E1Assessment Scorecard
E2Loan Program Overview
E3Grant Program Overview
E4GRASS Business Program Overview
E5Equity Loan Modification Overview
E6Post Funding Reporting Requirements
E7Education Grant
E8Emergency Grant Program Overview
E9Get Your State License Grant
E10Rental Assistance Grant Program Overview