This program offers one-time grants to eligible restaurants, hotels, motels and other qualifying businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts. The grant program is intended to support eligible small businesses that can demonstrate a 25% reduction in gross receipts or sales as a result of the pandemic. Of the available funding, a portion will be set aside specifically to reimburse lodging establishments that experienced losses during the state’s eviction moratorium pursuant to the governor’s proclamations.

As directed by the Washington State Legislature through ESSB 5693, $100 million in federal ARPA relief funds was appropriated to administer a grant program for ‘‘qualifying hospitality businesses’’ defined as restaurants, hotels, motels and other businesses as determined by Commerce.

Of this fund, $15 million was set aside solely for grants to reimburse lodging establishments that experienced losses during the state’s eviction moratorium. ‘‘Lodging establishment” is defined as a hotel, motel, or similar establishments taxable by the state under chapter 82.08 RCW that has 40 or more lodging units. Actual eligible losses include room charges not paid by persons who stayed during the moratorium, any legal expenses incurred by lodging establishments as a result of the moratorium, and any repair expenses directly attributed to damages to rooms.

FORWARD is administering the Washington Hospitality Grant on behalf of the Washington State Department of Commerce. FORWARD is an Integrated Program Administration solution that incorporates all essential components, people and technology into a single streamlined workflow to effectively, securely, and equitably administer critical resources to help communities thrive.

No. All applicants who meet eligibility requirements and apply during the open application period will be considered. 

The portal will be open for 24 days. It will open the morning of March 14, 2023, and will close on April 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM PT. 

Although the two programs are similar, they are not the same program. RRF is a closed program that was offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA), while the Washington Hospitality Grant program is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. However, the Washington Hospitality Grant program mirrors certain eligibility criteria from the RRF program as this program was designed to help support hospitality businesses that were awarded through the SBA but later rescinded through no fault of the business owner.

Both programs have separate eligibility requirements, please see the application checklist for specific details pertaining to the Washington Hospitality Grant program.

Receiving prior grants does not affect eligibility for this grant. Prior grant amounts may be considered when determining award amounts.

The grants are targeted primarily for small businesses with $5 million or less in annual gross receipts in designated NAICS codes. If Commerce is able to fund all the eligible applicants from the target pool, and funds remain, Commerce may be able to provide grants to additional businesses from other sectors (visitor bureaus/bowling alleys) or who have annual revenues larger than $5 million. Businesses above the $5 million threshold are welcome to apply.

Applications may be reviewed based on the following considerations: 

• Reported reduction in gross receipts or sales loss
• Businesses awarded Restaurant Revitalization Funds through the SBA but later rescinded through no fault of the business owner
• Working Washington/small business relief grants received through Commerce or affiliated partners/programs
• Businesses operating in a distressed area or Qualified Census Tracts and/or owned by someone from a historically disadvantaged or underserved population.
• Consideration may be given to business owners who self-identify as a minority, veteran, LGBTQ+ and/or women.

Due to the magnitude of losses and the devastating impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, Commerce aims to ensure a meaningful and equitable distribution of funds. To ensure equitable distribution, Commerce will consider businesses operating in a distressed area/qualified census tract and consideration may be given to businesses owned by someone from a historically disadvantaged or underserved population.

Commerce has no upcoming small business relief grant programs at this time. If additional grant funding becomes available through the Department of Commerce, the information will be updated on Commerce’s website. 

Please visit the Program Eligibility page to read the complete requirements.

Eligible hospitality businesses in Washington State within designated NAICS codes include: 

• Restaurants
• Food stands, food trucks, food carts
• Caterers
• Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
• Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
• Bakeries*
• Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms*
• Breweries or microbreweries*
• Wineries and distilleries*
• Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products
• Inns, bed and breakfast (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 25% of gross receipts or sales, or at least 5 private lodging rooms)
• Hotels and motels (except casino hotels)
• Bowling Alleys (Based on funding availability)
• Convention and Visitors Bureaus (Based on funding availability)

*onsite sales to the public must comprise at least 25% of gross receipts or sales

Eligible codes include:

• Full Service Restaurants (722511)
• Limited Service Restaurants (722513)
• Breweries (312120)
• Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)
• Caterers (722320)
• Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110)
• Inns, Bed and Breakfast (721191)
• Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591) (Based on funding availability)
• Bowling Alleys (713950) (Based on funding availability)

Yes, if you have been assigned a code you should use it. If you don't know your NAICS code, you can look up your code here.

Businesses must have a valid UBI and TIN (EIN/FEIN/ITIN/SSN). Tribal member-owned businesses without a UBI may provide alternative business validation such as a license or registration with a federally recognized tribal nation in Washington State.

You must have received a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number to receive federal grant funds. You can obtain a valid UEI number issued through sam.gov. If you've not yet registered and are planning to apply for a grant, we recommend you start the process now. This helpful video will guide you through the steps of registering for your UEI number in SAM: Get a Unique Entity ID

Your business must have been in operation prior to April 2020 (with the same ownership) and must be currently operational.

Your business must be independently owned and operated and cannot be a national franchisor and cannot be a dominant organization in your field of operation.

Your business must have experienced a 25% or greater loss in gross receipts or sales between 2019 and 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health and safety measures. 

• For businesses that started in 2019, 25% loss must be from any quarter in 2019 to the same quarter in 2020.
• For businesses that started in 2020, 25% loss must be from the 1st Quarter of 2020 to another quarter in 2020.

Your business must have minimum gross receipts or sales of $12,000 in 2019 (or 2020 for businesses that opened in 2020)*

Your business must generate at least 51% of revenue in Washington state (i.e., be an "in state" business).

Your business must not have permanently closed or intend to permanently close in 2023.

Your business must have expenses that are necessary to continue business operations (i.e. payroll, rent, etc.). Expenses cannot be a federal, state, or local tax, fee, license, or other government revenue.

*The grants are targeted primarily for small businesses with $5 million or less in annual gross receipts or sales within designated NAICS codes. If Commerce is able to fund all the eligible applicants from the target pool, and funds remain, Commerce may be able to provide grants to additional businesses who have annual gross receipts or sales larger than $5 million.

Commerce anticipates there may be more requests for funding than the dollars available. In other words, it is likely that not all eligible businesses will receive funding. Eligibility should not be mistaken as confirmation that your business will receive grant funding. Commerce’s goal is to fund as many eligible businesses as possible in an impactful way while keeping in mind equitable distribution of funding.

 For a full list of required documentation, please see the Application Checklist.

Below are examples of documentation that can be submitted during the application process. These are examples and are not limited to the examples provided.

Legal expenses:

• Invoices from legal firms showing hours billed and the hourly rate
• Cost of serving a lawsuit on an opposing party
• Cost of filing a lawsuit with a court
• Cost of filing required paperwork or documentation
• Costs for court reporting
• Costs for renting space for depositions

Repair expenses:

• Invoices from contractors to fix repairs
• Invoices or receipts to purchase materials that were needed to complete the repairs. Expenses could include paint, materials, cleaning expenses.
• Expenses related to new fix or replace damaged furniture or carpet

‍Room charges not paid expenses:

• Room ledger reports from Property Management Systems (PMS)
• Digitized paper room ledgers
• Electronic files or spreadsheets to track the cost of the rooms where people were not paying the nightly rates
• Digitalized registration cards that include name, room number, check in/out, daily rate

The damages or losses must have occurred during the state’s eviction moratorium from February 29, 2020, through October 31st, 2021. The actual costs or expenses may have occurred after the eviction moratorium expired. 

Hotels/Motels with 39 or less rooms and Hotels/Motels that were not affected by the eviction moratorium but still had a 25% reduction in gross receipts or sales are encouraged to apply for this grant. They must still meet the basic eligibility requirements.

If you or your business owns multiple businesses you may submit an application for each business IF each business operates independently, has its own UBI number, tax identification number (EIN/FEIN/ITIN/SSN) and UEI number.

A Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is a nine-digit number that registers you with several state agencies and allows you to do business in Washington State. A state issued UBI number is sometimes called a tax registration number, a business registration number, or a business license number. You are required to enter a UBI number unless you are a tribal-member-owned business operating on a reservation and licensed or registered with a federally recognized tribe in Washington State.

Tribal member-owned businesses without a UBI may provide alternative business validation such as a license or registration with a federally recognized tribal nation in Washington state. 

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number that identifies your business for tax purposes, also known as a Federal Tax Identification number.  It's similar to a Social Security number but is meant to identify taxpayers who must file various business tax returns. Generally, businesses need an EIN. Like a Social Security number, the EIN is nine digits long and assigned by the federal government. 

Businesses that do not have an EIN can provide an alternate tax identification number such as an ITIN/SSN.

Non-U.S. citizens who are small business owners and do not have a Social Security number may apply using their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Therefore, small business owners with tax IDs of nine digits and beginning with “9” are eligible for this grant program.

The federal government recently changed its requirements for businesses and organizations receiving federal funds in the form of grants. As of April 2022, recipients of grants from federally funded programs are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued by the federal government through SAM.gov. 

If you are planning to apply to the Washington Hospitality Grant program, start the process to obtain a UEI number as soon as possible. Businesses without a UEI are not eligible to receive an award.

No, for the purposes of this grant program, you can request a Unique Entity ID only without having to complete a full registration.

Obtaining a UEI number is free through the federal System for Awards Management (sam.gov). To register or look up an existing UEI number go to sam.gov. 

This helpful video will guide you through the process of registering for your UEI number in SAM.gov.

• If you are already registered with SAM.gov, click here to find your UEI number‍
• If you are not registered with SAM.gov click here to register for your UEI number

Resources for UEI number registration help can be found here with video tutorials available in multiple languages (Mandarin, Korean, Russian, Spanish and ASL) UEI number for State Grant applicants - PTAC - Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center. *Please note that some of the video slides/screenshots may be outdated as the sam.gov site has been updated.

TIP: The full UEI number registration is not necessary. For the purposes of this program, choose ‘Get a Unique Entity ID only’ (no entity registration required). This may speed up your timeline to receive a UEI number.

Yes. The application asks if the business currently has a valid UEI, if the business has applied but has not received a UEI, or if the business has not applied for a UEI. If the business does not currently have a UEI at the time of application, the application can still be submitted, however the business will be required to provide a valid UEI number to the program administrator, FORWARD, no later than May 31, 2023, to be eligible to receive an award.

Applicants that meet basic program eligibility but do not provide a valid UEI number are not eligible to receive funding. Failure to provide a valid UEI number by May 31, 2023, will make you ineligible to receive an award.

Applicants must attest that expenses they will use the grant for (if awarded) have not been previously paid for with other funds. No “double-dipping” is allowed. 

Generally, yes, you should count all gross receipts or sales to the business. If these awards were sufficient enough that you did not experience a 25% reduction in gross receipts or sales, then your business would not be eligible for this program.Depending on the structure of your business you may need to include any unemployment benefits you received. For example if a business operates as a sole proprietorship that is legally indistinguishable from the owner then unemployment benefits would need to be counted.

To be eligible, your business must have experienced a 25% or greater loss in gross receipts or sales between 2019 and 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health and safety measures. For businesses that started in 2019, 25% loss must be from any quarter in 2019 to the same quarter in 2020. For businesses that started in 2020, 25% loss must be from the 1st Quarter of 2020 to another quarter in 2020.Gross receipts or sales are the total amounts your business or organization received from all sources during your annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses.

• Businesses established before 2019 must provide tax returns from 2019 and 2020.
• Businesses that started in 2019 must provide quarterly taxes from any quarter in 2019 to the same quarter in 2020.
• Businesses established in 2020 must provide quarterly taxes from quarter 1 of 2020 and either quarter 2, 3 or 4 of 2020.

Subtract your 2020 gross receipts or sales from your 2019 gross receipts or sales, and divide that amount by your 2019 gross receipts or sales. If the number is 0.25 or greater, then your business can demonstrate a 25% reduction.

If your business started in 2019, the 25% loss in gross receipts or sales must be from any quarter in 2019 to the same quarter in 2020.

If your business wasn’t in operation at all in 2019 but in operation the first quarter of 2020, you must demonstrate that gross receipts or sales in the second, third, or fourth quarter of 2020 were at least 25 percent lower than the first quarter of 2020.

Gross Receipts or Sales is generally found on the top line of the business’ tax return. See below for more specific information depending on your organization structure. 

• Sole Proprietor’s 1040 Schedule C Profit and Loss Statement: Line 1
• Partnership’s 1065: Line 1
• Corporation’s 1120: Line 1.a
• S Corporation’s 1120S: Line 1.a
• Nonprofit’s 990: Line 12
• Independent Contractor’s 1099-MISC: Box 1, 2 and 3
• Washington DOR quarterly tax returns

If your business started in 2019, the 25% loss in gross receipts or sales must be from any quarter in 2019 to the same quarter in 2020.

If your business started in 2020, the 25% loss in gross receipts or sales must be from the 1st Quarter in 2020 to another quarter in 2020. 

Yes, as long as one or more owners has remained the same and all other eligibility requirements are met.

If you do not have taxes that completely cover a full quarter in 2019, the loss must be from the first full quarter you were in operation. In this case, you should provide Quarter One of 2020, and another quarter of 2020.

Yes, your business may provide a Profit and Loss statement to show a 25% loss in gross receipts or sales in addition to also providing your combined tax return.

If you need help with this online application or have a program question, please email FORWARD at wahospitality@forwardplatform.zendesk.com or call us at 1-866-220-7474.

FORWARD is a Washington state technology company that powers the application portal. FORWARD offers application services for programs such as this nationwide. Washington Department of Commerce has partnered with FORWARD to manage the application process and distribute awards.

Yes, the FORWARD platform is available and supports 68 languages. In order to view the application in your preferred language, select the globe icon at the top right of the page while logged into the FORWARD portal. The globe icon is labeled “English,” once you click the icon, select which language you prefer from the list.

You must create an account to apply for a Hospitality Grant. You can set create your account following these simple steps:

1. Go to https://forward-washington.livestories.com/login
2. Select “Create Business, non-profit or landlord account”
3. Enter the business’ name and a valid email address that you have access to
4. Once you click “Create Account” you will receive an email with a link to set your password
5. Select the link in your email and set your secured password
6. Once you set your password, you can login and complete the application!

To learn more, please watch FORWARD’s video.

FORWARD is committed to protecting your privacy and will never share or disclose your information without your consent. Click here for FORWARD’s Privacy Policy.

Email and phone support will be offered internally in English and Spanish, with more than 240 languages available via Language Line’s spoken interpretation. The public can access it by calling (866) 220-7474 or by emailing wahospitality@forwardplatform.zendesk.com

Translated materials will be available for download in the following 14 languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Ukrainian, Tagalog, Somali, Korean, Arabic, Punjabi, Amharic, Khmer, Chinese (Mandarin), Lao, and Marshallese.

We ask that all application answers be in English to expedite the review process; however, you may use the language that is most comfortable for you.

In addition to offering language support and guidance through our helpline via phone and email, the Small Business Resiliency Network partners across the state are available for assistance. The Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) is a network of organizations throughout Washington state who provide culturally and linguistically relevant assistance and other business support services at no cost to entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits. To receive assistance from an SBRN partner near you, visit the SBRN page for contact information: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/small-business-resiliency-network/

The application opens the morning of March 14, 2023, and closes April 6, 2023, at 5:00 PM PT.

To add a business to your existing account, log out of the FORWARD platform and select “Create business, non-profit, or landlord account” on the login page.

• Enter the new business name, and the email address that is already associated with your account.
• Select “Add new Business” to add this business to your account.
• When you login, you will now see both businesses and be able to apply on behalf of both businesses.

NOTE: With your email address now associated with multiple accounts, you will receive email communications regarding all business accounts associated with your email address

The business owner or representative who is authorized to enter into legally binding agreements for the applicant may attest and sign the application.

Yes. You will receive an email confirmation from forward-notification@forwardplatform.com once your application is received. Check your spam/junk folder if you are still waiting to receive an email shortly after submitting your application.

No. However, if you need to correct an error, please contact wahospitality@forwardplatform.zendesk.com, and our team can work with you to provide additional and correct information to your application.

Yes, however you may need to re-answer some questions as they may not save in your browser’s cache.

When the application opens, Click Apply Now to check your eligibility and start your application.

Businesses can only apply online. Paper applications will not be accepted. 

Yes, when the online application is available, you will be able to use your phone’s browser to submit an application. Please note you will need to upload documents as a part of your application, so those documents should be readily available on your phone to upload. All internet browsers are supported.

No, not in the application portal itself, however, in the application, you are able to include the contact information for anyone you choose that the Department of Commerce or its program administrators may reach out to in the event that you are unable to be contacted. If an organization helped you complete the application, you can enter their contact information in this section.

Email and phone support will be offered internally in English and Spanish, with more than 240 languages available via Language Line’s spoken interpretation. The public can access it by calling (866) 220-7474 or by emailing wahospitality@forwardplatform.zendesk.com

We encourage applicants to email for the quickest response.

The hours are as follows:

• March 14th, 2023 - April 6th, 2023
• 8 AM – 7 PM PT Monday - Sunday
• Email & Voicemails: Responses provided within 8 business hours

All other dates: 

• 8 AM - 5PM PT Monday - Friday
• Emails & Voicemails: Responses provided within 24 business hours

You will receive an email notification from the program administrator, FORWARD, if your business or organization is/is not selected for a grant in May 2023. You can also contact FORWARD, at wahospitality@forwardplatform.zendesk.com or call at 1-866-220-7474 to learn about the status of your application.

You will receive an email from forward-support@forwardplatform.com notifying you if you have been awarded a grant, and included in the email will be “Next Steps.”

Grant amounts will vary. Commerce reserves the right to determine the final grant amount based on the number of applications received and the magnitude of reported losses. Grants amounts will depend on the amount of loss and the overall level of gross receipts or sales generated by the business.

Commerce may provide funding up to 50% of total gross receipts or sales loss per location, not to exceed $1 million total for the applicant and any affiliated businesses. The minimum award is $500.00.

For lodging establishments impacted by the eviction moratorium, grant award amounts will not exceed verified eligible losses to be reimbursed.

Grant amounts may be reduced by Working Washington and/or other small business COVID-19 relief grants previously received through Commerce or affiliated partners/federal programs. 

Generally, yes, this would be considered taxable income. 1099s will come from Geocko Inc. dba FORWARD via email. Geocko, INC. dba FORWARD will issue a form 1099-G for tax year 2023 using Track1099, an IRS-approved vendor.

However, qualifying grants are not subject to state business and occupation (B&O) tax, public utility tax, or retail sales tax (per HB 1095 which exempts the receipt of “qualifying grant” funds from certain taxes).

Qualifying grants may include any grants that are received from the government, or another organization authorized to distribute government grants, and are meant to address the impacts of a national or state declaration of emergency. This includes national or state declarations occurring since February 29, 2020 (e.g., the declaration of emergency issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

The Department of Commerce is unable to provide tax advice. Please consult your accountant, lawyer, or other tax advisor with questions. You may also request a binding ruling from the Department of Revenue.

No. These grants do not need to be repaid. However, all taxes associated with the acceptance and/or uses of cash awarded are the sole responsibility of the individual grantee. Please contact your financial advisor or the Department of Revenue for questions related to your own situation.

FORWARD will email you to request additional information if you are eligible to receive a grant. Once all submissions are reviewed, awardees will be notified via email by FORWARD, to take next steps in the granting process by the end of May.  The email will come from forward-notification@forwardplatform.com. We encourage you to add this email to your contact or VIP list in your email inbox.

If selected for an award, you will need to provide a completed and signed Automated Clearing House (ACH), also known as a direct deposit, form that includes your bank account and routing number along with a voided check or bank document showing the routing and account numbers. You will also need to acknowledge the amount of funding and that you agree to the terms outlined in the award agreement.

Grantees must use the funds for eligible expenses between March 3, 2021 and December 31, 2024. All grant awards must be spent by December 31, 2024. Awardees can expend grant funding for any eligible expenses due to the impact of COVID-19 if the expense has not been previously funded through other state/federal grant awards. Commerce is not requesting receipts as a part of the grant award, but, in the event of an audit, the business must show proof of expenditures. 

Grant funds may be used for specific expenses including:

• Business operating expenses
• Business payroll costs (including sick leave)
• Payments on any business mortgage obligation, excluding home mortgages for home-based businesses
• Business rent payments, excluding rent for home based businesses (this does not include prepayment of rent)
• Business utility payments
• Business maintenance expenses
• Construction of outdoor seating
• Business supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials)
• Business food and beverage expenses (including raw materials)
• Covered supplier costs

For lodging establishments receiving reimbursement for eligible losses due to the eviction moratorium, funds may be used to reimburse specific expenses including:

• Room charges not paid by persons who stayed during the moratorium;
• Legal expenses incurred by lodging establishments as a result of the moratorium; and 
• Any repair expenses directly attributed to damages to rooms.

All expenses not expressly mentioned are excluded. Grant funds may not  be used for:

• Lobbying
• Alcohol (other than for inventory needs of their business)
• Salary increases, bonuses, and dividends to owner(s) or investor(s)
• Costs already reimbursed previously by federal programs (e.g., SBA Paycheck Protection Program) or expenses previously reimbursed by any grant or loan program 
• Personal expenses
• Debt service payments
• Rent or mortgage payments for home-based businesses
• Legal settlements and judgements
• Deposits into pension or retirement funds and deposits to financial reserves