Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
This grant provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19.
Content
Notice: SVOG is no longer accepting new applications
As of August 20, 2021, SVOG is no longer accepting new applications.
The SVOG portal remains open to all active applicants and awardees. Later in August, SBA will open the program for supplemental SVOGs for 50% of the original award amount, capped at a total of $10 million (initial and supplemental combined). Details will be announced at a later date.
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.
Supplemental documents for applicants
Frequently Asked Questions: The list of FAQs answers common questions about the SVOG program, defines terms, and provides additional guidance. Please refer to and carefully review the FAQs for guidance as you complete the SVOG application.
Application Checklist: The Application Checklist is provided to assist you with gathering and preparing the necessary materials (documentation, information, and technology) needed for the SVOG application. Some of these items will be required, and some are examples of items that can be submitted as supporting evidence. The Application Checklist lists materials needed by all applicants as well as applicant-specific information. The application will direct you as you go through the application portal for your specific applicant type.
Applicant User Guide: The Applicant User Guide is a tool for technical assistance to guide applicants through the SVOG application portal with step-by-step instructions. Screenshots in the User Guide are for illustration purposes only. Content in the application portal will appear differently for different applicants.
SVOG-specific information about the IRS form 4506-T
Instructions on how to complete the SVOG-specific 4506-T, including:
Example 4506-T
Visual instructions
Detailed, step-by-step instructions
Checklist
Who can apply
Eligible entities include:
Live venue operators or promoters
Theatrical producers
Live performing arts organization operators
Museum operators
Motion picture theater operators (including owners)
Talent representatives
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 OR $10 million, whichever is less.
How to apply
Those who have suffered the greatest economic loss will be the first applications processed under the following schedule:
Note: On January 20, 2021, SBA updated the proposed plan for issuing grants during the first and second priority periods. To clarify, priority awardees will not need to satisfy the small employer set-aside. During the first 59 days of opening SVOG, SBA will reserve no less than $2 billion of program funding for grants to entities that have no more than 50 employees.
First priority
First 14 days of grant awards
Entities that suffered a 90% or greater gross revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second priority
Next 14 days of grant awards
Entities that suffered a 70% or greater gross revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Third priority
Beginning 28 days after first and second priority awards are made
Entities that suffered a 25% or greater earned revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.
Supplemental funding
Available after all Priority Periods have passed
Recipients of first, second, and third priority round awards who suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter (as of April 1, 2021, or later).
Allowable use of funds
Funds may be used for specific expenses, which include:
Payroll costs
Rent payments
Utility payments
Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayment of principal)
Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal on any indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to February 15, 2020)
Worker protection expenditures
Payments to independent contractors (not to exceed $100,000 in annual compensation for an individual employee of an independent contractor)
Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs
Administrative costs (including fees and licensing)
State and local taxes and fees
Operating leases in effect as of February 15, 2020
Insurance payments
Advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing arts production. (May not be primary use of funds)
Grantees may not use award funds to:
Buy real estate
Make payments on loans originated after February 15, 2020.
Make investments or loans
Make contributions or other payments to, or on behalf of, political parties, political committees, or candidates for election.
Pay for any other use prohibited by the Administrator.
Grantee recordkeeping
Grantees will be required to maintain documentation demonstrating their compliance with the eligibility and other requirements of the SVOG program. They must retain employment records for four years following their receipt of a grant and retain all other records for three years.
Video tutorials
Get technical support with the SVOG portal
For Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal technical assistance such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance. The call center is open from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. ET, 7 days a week.
What to expect after you have applied
SVOG eligibility matrix, including:
Eligibility details cross- referenced with the statute
Common reasons certain types of applicants are ineligible
How to clear a "Do Not Pay" hold on your application
Visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay - Privacy Program, scroll down to “Data Correction Process,” find the row for the match source, and use the Contact Information on the corresponding row to clear any misinformation. The applicant will have 30 days to provide SBA with information that their name has been cleared from the match source. For more detail, see the Post-application FAQs.