City of Sacramento Office of Innovation and Economic Development

Read full guidelines on the City's website

*Note: The deadline has been extended to March 10, 2025*

“Economic Gardening 2.0” is an economic development program designed to provide sophisticated market research, and tailor-made small business technical assistance to qualifying local companies poised for growth. The City partners with the National Center for Economic Gardening (NCEG https://economicgardening.org/), Sacramento State University’s Career Center fellowship program, and Berkeley Strategy Advisors to implement this program. 

Participants in the Economic Gardening 2.0 program receive high-level research, strategy consulting, workforce assistance, and implementation support including a matching cash reimbursement grant of up to $50,000 to support each company’s growth. 

Program Outline

Following orientation, companies receive 40 hours of services from the NCEG's team of specialists. The specialist team consists of seasoned researchers that leverage sophisticated corporate databases, GIS systems, SEO and web marketing tools that provide the CEO with data and conclusions about key issues for each individual company.

Upon completion of NCEG consulting services, participants will work with the program administrator to determine activities to implement NCEG recommendations with matching grant funds from the City of Sacramento.

The following activities represent the types of projects the City is encouraging through this program:

1. Enhancing online presence – website, social media, blogs, search engine optimization, etc.
2. Hiring additional staff
3. Expansion or securing a new location or facility within city limits
4. Equipment purchases for increased capacity
5. Development of business or marketing plans
6. Business/strategic planning & financial planning
7. New product or service development
8. Professional advisory or support services
9. Professional development for staff
10. Marketing activities such as conference attendance

 Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to have its application scored:

• Be a for-profit, privately held company headquartered and operating in the city of Sacramento
• Have between $1 million and $50 million in annual revenue
• 50% of revenue must be generated from the export or sale of goods and services from markets outside the county of Sacramento
• Employ at least 5 but no more than 99 employees (including the owner) at the Sacramento headquarters
• Demonstrate growth in employment or revenue for at least 2 of the past 5 years

 Submission Process and Timeline

Please note, applicants must respond to all required questions to submit the application online. Application questions can be reviewed in Appendix A. The City will only review and score applications submitted on Submittable.

This schedule may be altered at any time at the sole discretion of the City of Sacramento:

• Application open: December 9, 2024
• Questions accepted until: December 18, 2024
• Question form: https://forms.gle/5Q9tMbSX87CLXtHQ6
• Question answers posted: December 23, 2024
• Application deadline: March 10, 2025, 4:59pm
• Awardees notified: Month of February 2025
• Orientation and NCEG Engagement begins: First quarter of 2025

Open to eligible North Sacramento businesses and property owners, the Program pairs funding for tenant improvements and equipment purchases with complimentary business technical assistance. Read full solicitation here.

This NOFO is funded by a California Youth Service Corps (YSC) grant from California Volunteers. The City is seeking non-profit organizations and governmental entities to develop career pathways to paid internships for a minimum of five youth and young adults between the ages of 16-30 within the State’s YSC framework.  Program participants must earn at least $16.50 per hour and be employed a minimum of 50% full-time equivalent (FTE). Applicants must address how they will recruit participants and provide wraparound services, case management and training in alignment with the Authorized Activities specified below.  The program should be at least a three-month program but no longer than eight months.  The contracts will be up to 1 year and the City reserves the right to extend agreements another one-year term based on the Applicant’s performance and funding availability.

The City is seeking applications from non-profit community-based organizations (CBOs) and governmental entities to conduct a YSC Young Adult Work Experience Program.  There are two funding opportunities available under this NOFO.  Applicants can apply for an approximately eight-month program (end of March 2025 to end of November 2025) or for an approximately three-month summer program (June 2025 – August 2025).  For-profit entities are not eligible for YSC Grant funding.

 Please review full NOFA document for application requirements. All referenced forms are available at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1G-4FW1KpOr72mRAyz8a6A3hBcaj3C3yL?usp=sharing

A bidders conference will be held on February 12, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT). This meeting will be recorded, and a link made available for viewing. Zoom Registration Link:

https://cityofsacramento-org.zoom.us/j/83721142795?pwd=9Dha1K0zlwW1m6gzxriX0Pmbz9Vqpn.1 

All questions regarding this NOFO are to be directed in writing via Google form at: 

https://forms.gle/ah1DuF5oxApiMAjMA 

Proposed timeline:
 NOFA Released: Friday, February 7, 2025

Bidders Conference: February 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT)

NOFO Questions Due by: February 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT)    

Grant Applications Due by: March 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT)

The City reserves the right to modify the dates listed above at its discretion. Schedule changes will be issued via addendum through the City’s online application portal.