Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions — Small Business Administration (July 22, 2021)
Summary
Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions, dated July 22, 2021, from the Small Business Administration. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established in Section 324 of the Economic Aid Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020, and Section 324 was amended by Section 5005 of the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, 2021. The SBA says the answers are as of July 21, 2021. The contents cover Eligibility, Application, Taxes and 4506-T, Prioritization, Use of Funds, Business Size/Employees, Revenue, Subsidiaries & Affiliates, Appeals, Reconsideration, Supplemental Phase, and Definitions. The eligibility answers say a business must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020.
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- Date
- 2021-07-22
Cite this document
“Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions — Small Business Administration (July 22, 2021).”
Original at www.sba.gov, dated 2021-07-22. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2021-07-22-small-business-administration-11-july-22-2021-www-sba-gov-s-ba56825cab/
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grants
Frequently Asked Questions | July 22, 2021
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established in Section 324 of the Economic
Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act (Economic Aid Act) (15 U.S.C. 9009a) signed
into law on December 27, 2020, as part of H.R. 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No.
116-260). Section 324 of the Economic Aid Act was amended by Section 5005 of the American Rescue Plan
Act (Public Law No. 117-2) signed into law on March 11, 2021.
This list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) answers common questions about the SVOG program,
defines terms, and provides additional guidance. For information on the documentation required for an
SVOG application, see the Application Checklist. For technical assistance and step-by-step instructions
for the application portal, see the Applicant User Guide. For a reference for all application questions, see
the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application SBA Form 3515. Please refer to and carefully review the
FAQs for guidance as you complete the SVOG application (SBA Form 3515).
The SBA updated these FAQs and reorganized the questions for clarity. The answers are as of July 21,
2021 (those marked with * are new and/or the content is substantially changed from the April 23,
version).
Contents
Eligibility ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
All Applicants ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Museum or Movie Theatre Operator ......................................................................................................... 7
Live Venue Operator or Promoter ............................................................................................................. 8
Talent Representative ............................................................................................................................. 12
Application .................................................................................................................................................... 13
Taxes and 4506-T ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Prioritization ............................................................................................................................................ 22
Use of Funds ................................................................................................................................................. 23
Business Size/Employees ............................................................................................................................. 28
Revenue ........................................................................................................................................................ 30
Subsidiaries & Affiliates ................................................................................................................................ 33
*Appeals ........................................................................................................................................................ 36
*Reconsideration .......................................................................................................................................... 37
Supplemental Phase .................................................................................................................................... 38
Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................... 40
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Eligibility
All Applicants
1. What is the legal authority for the SVOG Program?
The details of the SVOG program, as amended by the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021, can be
found at 15 U.S.C. § 9009a.
2. What is an “eligible entity” for an SVOG?
Eligible entities may be live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts
organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators or owners, and talent
representatives, per the Economic Aid Act. Additionally, entities of these types owned by state or
local governments (for example, museums or historic homes) are eligible to apply if the government-
owned entity acts solely as a venue operator, museum, etc. and does not engage in other types of
activities.
For example, a city parks and recreation department that operates a bandstand and separately
operates various nature parks could apply as an eligible entity for the bandstand, but could not
include the nature park entities.
Finally, each subsidiary business owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility
requirements in its own rights could apply as an eligible entity.
3. When does a business have to have been established to be eligible to apply for an SVOG?
The business must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020.
4. *Is an entity that did not have revenue in 2019 but was conducting business operations on
February 29, 2020, eligible to apply for an SVOG?
Yes, if an entity did not have revenue in 2019 but was conducting business operations on February 29,
2020. Conducting business operations includes incurring costs of necessary start-up and preparatory
activities in the lead time before an anticipated opening date. The applicant must show the required
earned revenue loss.
5. Is an entity that applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program loan before August 9,
2020, eligible to apply for an SVOG?
Yes. However, under the law, entities will be ineligible for a PPP loan AFTER they receive an SVOG.
6. Is an entity that applied for a First Draw or Second Draw PPP loan on or after December 27,
2020, eligible to apply for an SVOG?
Yes. However, under the law, entities will be ineligible for a PPP loan AFTER they receive an SVOG.
7. If an entity applied for a PPP loan after the American Rescue Plan Act became law but before the
PPP application form was updated, is it still eligible for an SVOG even though the PPP
application included a certification saying the entity would not apply for an SVOG?
Yes. However, under the law, entities will be ineligible for a PPP loan AFTER they receive an SVOG.
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8. How will receiving a PPP loan affect an eligible entity’s SVOG award?
Per the American Rescue Plan Act, any entity that receives a PPP loan on or after December. 27, 2020
(whether First Draw or Second Draw), will have the PPP loan amount deducted from the SVOG
amount. (If the entity received both a First Draw and Second Draw PPP Loan after December 27, 2020,
the combined amount will be deducted from the SVOG.)
For example, if a jazz club received a PPP loan for $10,000 on February 1, 2021, and then applied for
and received an SVOG which, based on the amount of its earned revenue loss would have been
$100,000, the jazz club’s SVOG will be reduced by $10,000 and it will receive a $90,000 SVOG. Any PPP
borrower that received a PPP loan before December 27, 2020, however, will not have the PPP loan
amount deducted from any subsequent SVOG.
9. If a portion of my PPP loan was forgiven, will that affect how much of the loan amount is
deducted from my SVOG?
No. The full amount of any PPP loan received on or after December 27, 2020, must be deducted from
an entity’s SVOG without regard to whether a portion of that PPP loan was forgiven or not. If the
entity received a PPP loan prior to December 27, 2020, the PPP loan and/or its forgiveness status is
not factored into an SVOG.
10. Can a mobile, portable, or touring facility be a qualifying venue for an SVOG?
Yes. Any venue, including traveling tent shows such as circuses and festivals, that meets all the
related requirements in the Economic Aid Act (e.g., defined performance and audience spaces,
lighting rig, etc.) will be considered an SVOG-qualifying venue.
11. Is a venue with no fixed performance space eligible to apply?
No. Venues must have defined performance and audience spaces. If a particular venue cannot meet
this requirement, it is not eligible to apply for an SVOG.
12. What disqualifies an entity from SVOG eligibility?
Circumstances that would preclude an otherwise-eligible entity from an SVOG include:
• It does not have a place of business located in the United States, does not operate primarily
within the U.S., and does not make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through
payment of taxes or use of American products, materials, or labor.
• It was not in operation as of February 29, 2020.
• It is a publicly traded corporation or is majority owned or controlled by a publicly traded
corporation.
• It presents live performances of a prurient sexual nature or derives more than a de minimis
amount of gross revenue, either directly or indirectly, from the sale of products or services, or the
presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature.
• More than 10% of its 2019 gross revenue came from the Federal government (not counting
disaster assistance)
• It owns or operates venues, theatres, museums, or talent agencies in more than one country,
owns or operates venues, theatres, museums, or talent agencies in more than ten states, AND
had more than 500 employees as of February 29, 2020.
• Five other firms with which it is affiliated have already received SVOG awards.
• If all of the following are true: it is a museum and other museums with which it is affiliated have
already received $10 million in SVOG funding.
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13. Is a seasonal entity eligible for the SVOG program?
A seasonal entity may be eligible for this program. However, entities that operate seasonally will be
subject to alternative rules on establishing gross and earned revenue loss, qualifying for priority
period funding, and documenting eligibility to accommodate for the seasonal nature of the business.
14. *If an entity is part of a private university, how will the SBA apply the SVOG eligibility barrier
that prohibits organizations which received more than 10% of their 2019 gross revenue from
Federal funding?
If a private university owns less than a majority of an eligible entity with separate legal existence, the
entity only needs to consider whether more than 10% of its own 2019 gross revenue came from
Federal funding.
If a private university-based eligible entity lacks separate legal existence from its parent university, or
has separate legal existence but is majority owned or controlled by the university, it will have to look
to the gross revenue of its parent university when determining whether it passes the barrier against
having more than 10% of its 2019 gross revenue come from Federal sources (excluding disaster
assistance).
NOTE: Public university-based eligible entities are not subject to the 10% cap on the Federal share of
their gross revenue because they are owned by state or local governments. See FAQ #20 in this
section below.
15. If a non-profit foundation’s principal business activity is soliciting donations for a museum or
live venue operator or promoter, is that foundation eligible?
No. Under such an arrangement the foundation’s principal business activity would be serving as a
fiscal agent for the university-owned museum or live venue operator or promoter rather than acting
as a museum operator or live venue operator or promoter as is required by the Economic Aid Act.
16. For private college and university-owned entities seeking eligibility, does the 10% Federal
funding barrier include financial aid that is awarded to students such as Pell grants?
Yes. Based upon the treatment given Pell grants by the Department of Education, they would be
included in the amount of Federal funding provided to college and university-owned entities that do
not have separate legal existence.
17. Are eligible entities owned by public universities, including municipally-owned colleges,
considered government-owned eligible entities for the SVOG program?
Yes. Eligible entities owned by public universities will be subject to all the same restrictions and
exceptions as other government-owned entities.
18. If a university owns and operates two eligible entities that are not separate legal entities from
the university, but are managed by two different university departments with their own budget
lines and professional staffing (though their budgets roll up into the larger university system
budget and staff members are university employees), may the two eligible entities each apply
for an SVOG if they meet all the required criteria?
Only if it is a public university (see FAQ #32 in this section). If the university is a private institution, it
would be subject to the restriction against the submission of multiple applications under a single EIN.
In that case, both entities would have to be combined into a single application submitted under the
university’s EIN.
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19. If an eligible entity has applied for or received any grants, loans, or other funding from a state
or local governmental relief program is it still eligible to receive an SVOG?
Yes. Receipt of pandemic-related or other assistance from state or local governments does not
disqualify an eligible entity from the SVOG program.
20. Does the SVOG eligibility exclusion of entities that received more than 10% of their 2019 gross
revenue from the Federal government apply to eligible entities owned by Tribal, state, or local
governments, including entities owned by public colleges and universities?
No. The Economic Aid Act provides that, for government-owned entities, the eligible entity is the live
venue operator or promoter, live performing arts organization operator, museum operator, movie
theatre operator or owner, or talent representative and does not include any government-owned
entity that is not one of those types of entities.
The only form of Tribally owned entity that is eligible for SVOG assistance is a Tribally owned
museum. Tribally owned museums are specifically authorized to be eligible for SVOG assistance. The
Economic Aid Act did not explicitly include tribes as a form of government, but the SBA considers
tribes as government entities in its financial assistance programs.
21. Are service and support companies that provide stages, lighting, sound, casts, and other
support for live performing arts events or which showcase performers or pre-packaged
productions to potential buyers eligible to apply for an SVOG?
No. The Economic Aid Act is designed to assist only those eligible entities identified in the statute.
SVOGs are not available for service providers that support eligible entities.
22. *Are entities whose broader business operations include hosting live performing arts events,
such as agricultural fairs or party boats/pleasure cruises that feature concerts, eligible?
Maybe. To be eligible, an agricultural fair or entertainment cruise must show that its principal
business activity is presenting live performing arts events that also include other secondary activities
such as agricultural shows or boat tours. Its principal business activity must be acting as one of
eligible entity types in the statute.
23. Are applicants currently involved in bankruptcy proceedings eligible?
Possibly. Eligible entities undergoing a reorganization form of bankruptcy (such as Chapter 11 or
Chapter 13) may apply for an SVOG if they entered bankruptcy after February 29, 2020. However,
entities undergoing a liquidation form of bankruptcy (such as Chapter 7) are not eligible because the
SVOG program is intended for entities that are currently operating or intend to resume full
operations.
In addition, SVOGs made to entities undergoing reorganization bankruptcy may, in SBA’s discretion,
be subject to additional documentation requirements designed to reduce the risk of loss of taxpayer
funds.
24. Are entities located in US territories eligible?
Yes. Under the Economic Aid Act, in addition to those located in states, eligible entities in the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other territory or possession of the United
States (e.g., Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands) are able to apply for an SVOG.
25. Is an entity that received CARES Act funding eligible to apply?
Yes. Per the Economic Aid Act, receipt of CARES Act funding does not disqualify an entity for SVOGs.
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26. Does a cruise ship count as a qualifying venue for promoters or producers to stage
performances on or for a talent representative to book performers?
The cruise ship itself would likely not be eligible. However, a cruise ship may serve as a qualifying
venue for the business activities of eligible entities if it meets all the venue requirements established
under the Economic Aid Act (defined performance and audience spaces, lighting rig, mixing
equipment, etc.). For example, a promoter that books performances on cruise ships would be eligible
to apply for an SVOG.
27. Must a promoter, theatrical producer, live performing arts organization, or talent
representative stage all its events or book all its clients at qualifying venues?
No, they must use qualifying venues for a majority of the events (more than 50% they stage or book
clients into. Requiring these types of eligible entities to exclusively use qualifying venues would fail to
recognize the reality of live performing arts industry business operations and lead to the extreme
result of the SBA excluding otherwise eligible entities for something as slight as having used a single
non-qualifying venue. As such, the SBA has interpreted the Economic Aid Act to require a promoter,
theatrical producer, live performing arts organization, or talent representative to use qualifying
venues for a majority of the events (more than 50%) they stage or book clients into.
28. If an entity qualifies under two different categories of eligible entities (for example, a museum
and a live venue operator) which category should be used when applying?
If an entity can meet all the requirements for more than one type of eligible entity, it is recommended
the entity pick the entity type that gives the strongest case for eligibility or that best represents its
principal business activity.
29. What is “de minimis gross revenue” from the sale of products or services, or presentation of any
materials of a prurient sexual nature that allows an entity to be eligible for an SVOG?
In applying this restriction imposed by the Economic Aid Act, the SBA is following longstanding
Agency practice from its financial assistance programs and holding that 5% or less is a de minimis
amount of gross revenue.
30. If an entity receives state funding that originated from the Federal government, does this count
toward the 10% eligibility threshold for revenue from the Federal government?
Yes, unless that funding originated as Federal disaster assistance.
31. What types of Tribally-owned entities are eligible to apply?
The Economic Aid Act does not include Tribes in its definitions of states or political subdivisions of
states, which are both permitted to own eligible entities. However, the Act’s definition of “relevant
museum operator” references section 273 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9172),
which specifically includes Tribal museums. As such, Tribally-owned museums are the only Tribally-
owned entities eligible for SVOGs.
32. *Because government-owned eligible entities generally operate as divisions of Tribal, state, or
local governments and do not have their own EINs or separate legal existence, will the SBA look
to the governmental owners of such entities for purposes of determining the principal business
activity?
No, the SBA examine the principal business activity of the applying itself and not solely consider the
operations of its owner, even where the entity uses the EIN of its government-owner or parent
company.
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33. Are performing arts groups like choirs, dance companies, etc. eligible for SVOG awards?
Yes, if they can meet the definition of a performing arts organization operator and all the relevant
eligibility criteria, such groups would be eligible.
34. Can an entity with no staff or payroll qualify for the program?
Yes. For example, an entity such as a promoter or talent representative that operates as a sole
proprietorship or single member LLC with no employees could be eligible for an SVOG. In such a case,
it would use its SVOG funding for non-payroll costs such as the payment of rent, utilities, scheduled
debts, maintenance fees, taxes, etc.
35. If an SVOG-related business was previously owned or operated by an ineligible entity (for
example, a movie theatre owned by a national chain listed on a stock exchange) but has since
been sold or otherwise transferred to an owner or operator that does meet the eligibility
criteria could the transferred business serve as the basis for, or be included in, an SVOG
application?
Yes. The SBA will determine SVOG eligibility as of the date an entity submits its application for the
program. The fact that a venue, theater, etc. was previously owned or operated by an ineligible
organization will not affect an applicant’s eligibility.
36. How did the SBA determine that to be eligible for SVOG assistance an entity could not do
business in certain identified countries?
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which includes the Economic Aid Act, states that SVOG
funds may not be obligated or expended to directly finance any assistance or reparations for the
governments of Cuba, North Korea, Iran, or Syria. In addition, the United States has imposed
sanctions on these four nations through the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets
Control which cover things such as financial and trade transactions with entities, institutions, and
individuals within their borders.
Museum or Movie Theatre Operator
37. Are motion picture theatre owners eligible to apply?
Yes. Per the Economic Aid Act, motion picture theatre operators include individuals or entities that
own or operate at least 1 place of public accommodation for the purpose of motion picture exhibition
for a fee.
38. *Is a museum or movie theatre with a multipurpose room with movable seating eligible?
No, if the only auditorium or room in the museum or movie theatre has temporary, removable,
modular, convertible, or other non-fixed seating arrangements, it would not be eligible. The
Economic Aid Act specifically requires museums and motion picture theatres have fixed audience
seating. In order to qualify for SVOG, applying museums and motion picture theatres must have at
least one room with fixed audience.
NOTE: There is no fixed audience seating requirement for other types of eligible entities.
39. Is a museum or movie theatre with outdoor fixed seating eligible to apply?
Yes. The Economic Aid Act does not require qualifying venues to be indoors.
40. Is a museum funded by a non-federal government entity, such as a state, eligible?
Yes.
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41. Is a drive-in movie theatre eligible to apply?
No. Per the Economic Aid Act, a motion picture theatre operator or owner must have at least one
auditorium with a motion picture screen and fixed audience seating, so a drive-in movie theatre is
not eligible to apply for an SVOG.
42. If a museum has more than one qualified auditorium, theater, performance or lecture hall, or
outdoor amphitheater, does regular programming need to occur in each, or is it sufficient to
have regular programming within all the qualifying presentation spaces?
A museum may aggregate programming across all such spaces for purposes of meeting the regular
programming requirement rather than looking at each qualifying presentation space individually if a
museum has multiple qualifying presentation spaces (auditoriums, theaters, performance or lecture
halls, or outdoor amphitheaters).
43. *What happens if a motion picture theatre is owned by one entity, but operated (managed) by a
separate entity? Are both entities eligible for an SVOG in such a case? If so, what will the earned
revenues of the two companies be based upon?
Yes. Under the Economic Aid Act, owners and operators of motion picture theatres are considered
eligible entities.
In cases where both the owner and the operator of a qualifying motion picture theatre separately
apply for SVOG, each will base its earned revenues upon its share of those payments received as a
condition of its ownership or operation of the motion picture theatre. This could include but is not
limited to space rental, ticket sales, management fees, digital projection reimbursements, and other
non-gratuitous payments or transfers as allocated by contract, lease, or other formal legal
agreement. All earned revenues and claimed grant expenses must be tracked and accounted for
separately to avoid any overlap or double-counting.
44. Is a landlord who owns a shopping center that includes a movie theatre eligible to apply for an
SVOG given they ‘own or operate’ an eligible motion picture theatre?
It is not likely. Because a shopping center owner’s principal business activity would most likely be
owning or operating a shopping center rather than owning or operating a motion picture theatre, it is
doubtful it would be eligible for an SVOG.
45. To qualify as regular programming, does the programming provided in a museum’s theater
need to be ticketed and open to the general public?
No.
46. If a motion picture theatre operator owns and/or operates multiple theatres which it includes in
its SVOG application, must each individual theatre included in the application meet the
eligibility criteria?
Yes.
Live Venue Operator or Promoter
47. Is a wedding/event venue eligible to apply?
It is not likely. Per the Economic Aid Act and specific eligibility criteria applying to Live Venue
Operators, wedding venue operators would likely fail to meet multiple requirements (e.g. sale of
tickets, promotion of events to the public, defined audience and performing space, lighting rig, sound
mixing equipment, employment of sound engineers, stage managers box office managers, etc.).
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48. Is a sports stadium or venue used for concerts and other live, non-sport performances eligible
to apply?
It is not likely. However, if the operator of a sports stadium or similar athletic arena can meet the
statutory definition of an eligible entity under the Economic Aid Act, including the requirement that
its principal business activity must be the organization, promotion, management, or hosting of live
concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions or other events by performing artists, it may be
eligible to apply for an SVOG.
49. *Is a restaurant that features live music eligible to apply?
Maybe. If the provision of food and drink are incidental to regular live performing arts activities, such
as a jazz or comedy club, the entity may be eligible to apply. However, if the principal line of business
is restaurant operation rather than live venue operation, the business would not be eligible to apply
for an SVOG.
50. *Is a dinner theatre eligible to apply?
A dinner theatre could qualify if its principal business activity is the organization, promotion,
management, or hosting of live concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions or other events by
performing artists. \If the principal line of business is restaurant operation rather than live venue
operation, the business would not be eligible to apply for an SVOG.
51. Is a performing arts center owned and operated by a government or state college (as a college
department) eligible to apply?
Yes.
52. Is an air show operator eligible to apply?
No. The live venue operator or promoter definition under the Economic Aid Act requires an entity to
either put on performing arts events at qualifying venues or sell advance tickets to performing arts
events at qualifying venues. While an air show is a form of live entertainment, it does not constitute a
performing art. As such, air show operators do not qualify as live venue operators or promoters.
53. Is a company that uses 1099 (independent contractor) workers/talent (vs. W2 employees)
eligible to apply?
Yes. Per the Economic Aid Act, payments made to independent contractors as reported on an entity’s
Form-1099 are an allowable use of grant funds.
54. *Is a theatrical production management business with revenue generated by the production
management eligible to apply?
A theatrical production management business may be eligible to apply if 70% of its earned revenue
came from production fees and reimbursements. Under the Economic Aid Act, it also may be eligible
to apply if, as its principal business activity, it makes production tickets available for public purchase
on average not less than 60 days in advance of the performance date.
55. What will SBA count as “earned revenue” for a live venue operator or promoter, theatrical
producer, or live performing arts organization operator?
SBA counts all earned revenue, including cover charges or ticket sales, production fees or production
reimbursements, nonprofit educational initiatives, or the sale of event beverages, food, or
merchandise.
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56. Is a talent agency that books actors at live venues, but does not operate a live venue, eligible to
apply?
Yes. A talent agency is eligible to apply if 70% of its operations involve managing, booking, or
representing performers who appear primarily at qualifying live venues.
57. Does a ticket broker or reseller qualify as a live venue operator or promoter?
No. The Economic Aid Act’s live venue operator or promoter definition requires an entity to have as
its principal business activity either:
(1) Organizing, promoting, producing, managing, or hosting events by performing artists for
which admission fees are charged and performers are paid based on a percentage of sales, a
guarantee, or other mutually beneficial formal arrangement; or
(2) Publicly selling tickets on average 60 days in advance of performing arts events for which
performers are paid based on a percentage of sales, a guarantee, or other mutually beneficial
formal arrangement.
While ticket brokers or resellers do deal in tickets to performing arts events and may do so 60 days in
advance, performers are not paid from these transactions. Further, as one of their commonly used
names implies and because they operate in the aftermarket, ticket brokers or resellers may be
viewed not as being principally in the business of selling tickets, but instead as being principally in
the business of reselling them. As such, ticket brokers or resellers do not meet the criteria found in
the definition of live venue operator or promoter.
58. What criteria will the SBA apply when determining whether a particular form of live
entertainment constitutes a performing arts event for an SVOG?
The SBA believes performing arts as related to the SVOG program means events such as musical
concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions, dance performances, or other live renderings of
similarly artistic works. This is based on review of the Economic Aid Act text, SBA’s consultation with
other Federal agencies with area expertise and examination of definitions of what constitutes the
performing arts under Federal law.
59. If a venue’s box office is staffed by volunteers, is it eligible to apply?
Yes.
60. Is a theatrical producer that stages performances in multiple venues eligible to apply?
Yes. Provided the majority of the venues a theatrical producer uses meet the qualifications listed in
the Economic Aid Act (e.g., defined performance and audience spaces, sound mixing equipment, a
lighting rig, etc.) there is no limit upon the number of venues at which a producer may host events.
61. The Economic Aid Act specifies artists performing at qualifying venues must be paid fairly and
not “play for free or solely for tips, except for fundraisers or similar charitable events.” Would
nonprofit organizations that host performances which include volunteer choruses and/or
student performers be able to meet this requirement?
Yes. Provided the events a nonprofit live performing arts organization stages are produced and
managed primarily by paid employees, the use of volunteers in the production casts would not
disqualify it.
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62. Is a live venue operator with a minority investor (50% or less ownership) that has more than 500
employees, locations in 11 or more states, and locations in 2 or more countries eligible for
SVOG?
Yes. Minority investors are not covered by these ownership conditions. The Economic Aid Act states
that a live venue operator that is majority owned or controlled by an entity that is listed on a stock
exchange or has more than 500 employees, locations in more than 1 country, and locations in more
than 10 States is ineligible. There are no other control requirements in the statute.
63. *Does a free music festival that earns revenue through sales of merchandise and concessions
but does not charge admission meet the requirements of either an eligible entity or qualifying
venue?
Under the Economic Aid Act, there must be an attendance fee or charge for most events organized,
promoted, produced, managed, or hosted by an applicant. With the exception of non-profit live
venue operators, if an applicant mostly presents free events, they will not meet these requirements.
64. If an entity is currently presenting only live online shows, does that count as currently in
business?
Yes. The SBA will consider venues operating in an online-only shows capacity as currently in business
if the entity meets the eligibility criteria for business operations as of February 29, 2020.
65. If an entity has a performance/music group (e.g., jazz orchestra) that goes on tour and is paid
performance fees for playing in other venues, can these performance fees be counted as part of
the earned revenues to meet the threshold of not less than 70% of the earned revenue must
come from live event cover charges or ticket sales, production fees or reimbursements,
nonprofit educational initiatives, or the sale of food, beverages, or merchandise?
Yes. These fees should be included in the earned revenue for all SVOG program purposes.
66. For an entity that stages both free and ticketed performing arts events, do food and beverage
and merchandise sales derived from the free events count toward the requirement that not less
than 70% of earned revenue must come from live event cover charges or ticket sales,
production fees or reimbursements, nonprofit educational initiatives, or the sale of food,
beverages, or merchandise?
Yes, assuming there was a paid ticket or cover charge required to attend most of the performing arts
events staged by the entity.
67. *If a live venue operator, theatrical producer, promoter, or live performing arts organization
operator does not offer tickets 60 days in advance will that make them ineligible?
No. The requirement varies by entity type. Where such requirement applies, the entity must EITHER
offer tickets for purchase by the public on average at least 60 days in advance of performing arts
events OR show that at least 70% of their earned revenue comes from cover charges, ticket sales,
production fees or reimbursements, nonprofit educational initiatives, or sales of food, beverages, or
merchandise derived from performing arts events.
68. *If an entity operates a theatre and stages live ticketed performances with the bulk of its
revenue coming from educational programs where the performers are not paid by ticket
revenue or cover charges, but as educators, is it eligible?
Possibly. The entity will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements for a Performing Arts Organization
Operator.
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69. *If an individual or entity owns a venue under one LLC (Venue LLC) and operates it under
another LLC (Operator) can it apply for an SVOG under one LLC and use the funds to pay costs
associated with both LLCs? For example, if Venue LLC received an SVOG award could it pay
salaries incurred under Operator LLC, which employs the staff that run the events at the venue,
as well as paying the mortgage and utility bills it owes?
No. Two or more separate legal entities can only be included in one SVOG award if one of them owns
more than 50% of the others OR if a single entity or individual owns more than 50% of all of them.
70. Are annual, single-event venue owner/operators, promoters, producers, and arts organization
operators able to apply for SVOGs?
Yes, provided they meet all the applicable eligibility requirements.
71. If a live venue owner or operator owns and/or operates multiple venues which it includes in its
SVOG application, must each individual venue included in the application meet the eligibility
criteria?
Yes.
Talent Representative
72. Are both agents and managers considered talent representatives with respect to SVOG?
Yes. Under the Economic Aid Act talent representatives can be agents and/or managers for
musicians, comedians, actors, or similar performing artist.
73. What are the eligibility requirements for venues at which a talent representative books or
represents artists?
The majority of the venues into which a talent representative books or represents artists must meet
the qualifications listed in the Economic Aid Act, but not all venues used must meet the
qualifications.
Requiring these types of eligible entities to exclusively use qualifying venues would fail to recognize
the reality of live performing arts industry business operations and lead to the extreme result of the
SBA excluding otherwise eligible entities for having used a single non-qualifying venue. As such, the
SBA has interpreted the Economic Aid Act to require a promoter, theatrical producer, live performing
arts organization, or talent representative to use qualifying venues for a majority of the events for
which they book or represent artists.
74. What types of documentation can a talent representative provide to verify they meet SVOG
eligibility requirements?
The types of documents a talent representative applicant may provide include, but are not limited to:
(1) A list of performing artists they booked or managed in 2019 that includes the venues for which
they were contracted to perform, the city and state of the venues and the performance dates.
(2) A current roster of performing artists which they book or manage that primarily work in live
venues or festivals. This roster must also either appear on the applicant’s website or be published
in print or online in an industry-recognized trade publication registry.
(3) Fully executed contractual service agreements (excluding rider provisions) between the talent
representative and two artists or signed statements from two artists certifying the applicant
represented them for live performances in 2019 and 2020.
(4) Fully executed contracts for live performances that took place in a venue or at a festival in 2019
and 2020 for two artists the applicant managed or booked.
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Application
75. What can an entity do to get ready to apply?
(1) Register for a DUNS number so you can then register in the System for Award Management
(SAM.gov)
(2) Gather necessary documents, see the Application Checklist
(3) Review these FAQs
(4) Review the Applicant User Guide at www.sba.gov/svogrant
(5) Connect with an SBA resource partner, including a SCORE business mentor, Small Business
Development Center, Women’s Business Center or Veterans Business Outreach Center
76. Must applicants register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) or can they use other
identifiers like Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or Employer Identification Numbers
to apply for an SVOG?
SVOG applicants must register with the Federal government’s SAM at www.SAM.gov to apply and
cannot use an ITIN, EIN, or other means of identification or registration. Interested parties are
encouraged to obtain a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number (a prerequisite for SAM registration) as
soon as possible. With a DUNS number, interested parties then should immediately begin registering
in SAM.gov, as the SAM registration may take up to two weeks once submitted.
77. What do I need to know to register at SAM.gov?
Review this overview presentation. New SAM.gov registrations normally take an average of 7–10
business days to process but can take 30+ business days during periods of peak volume. An entity can
log into SAM.gov and use the SAM Status Tracker (under the Check Status tab) to quickly check its
status.
78. How does an entity get a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number from Dun &
Bradstreet (D&B)?
(1) Go to the Dun & Bradstreet site: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/
(2) Select the link to request your DUNS Number via the web
(3) Follow the on-screen instructions to check whether your business or organization already has a
DUNS number
(4) Enter your business name and state and the validation text, then select Submit
(5) If your business is listed, you can request the existing DUNS number
(6) If it is not, you can request a new one
Note: there is no fee for getting a DUNS number to do business with the U.S. Government
79. If an entity has submitted its SAM.gov registration, but the registration is not yet officially
activated, can the entity still apply?
Yes. The requirement is that an entity must be registered in SAM.gov. In the SVOG application, the
entity will have to attest that it has submitted its SAM.gov registration to apply.
80. How can an entity check the status of its SAM.gov registration?
(1) Go to https://www.sam.gov
(2) Select Log In
(3) Select the Check Status tab in the main navigation
(4) Enter its DUNS Number
(5) Select Search to view status
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81. If an eligible entity is a hybrid nonprofit/governmental entity, should it apply under the
nonprofit’s name and submit documentation demonstrating the public/private partnership
aspect of its structure?
Yes.
82. How will capital funds, restricted grants, or investment income affect an entity’s SVOG
application?
The SBA will take such financial resources into consideration when the Agency is examining an
eligible entity’s gross revenue.
For example, the SBA will consider such sources of revenue for purposes of determining whether an
entity meets the requirement that no more than 10% of its 2019 gross revenue came from the Federal
government (excluding disaster assistance) or determining whether it can demonstrate sufficient
gross revenue loss to qualify for one of the priority periods.
83. What will be the timeline of distribution for the funds the SBA reserves for the small employer
set-aside? Will the SBA fund small employer awards only during the non-priority period of the
Initial Award Phase?
The SBA will draw upon the small employer set-aside funds throughout all stages of the Initial Award
Phase.
For example, where an eligible entity qualifies for the First Priority Period also qualifies as a small
employer, the SBA will fund that grant using monies drawn from the small employer set-aside.
84. *If ownership of an eligible entity was transferred, could the new owners apply for an SVOG and
use the revenues reported by the former owner?
Yes, except where the new owner has any of the disqualifying characteristics specifically enumerated
in the Economic Aid Act. The SBA will consider the new owner of an eligible entity to have stepped
into the shoes of the prior owner for purposes of qualifying for the SVOG program. In the event of
such a transfer, SBA will permit the new owner to use the prior owner’s revenues as its own if the
transferred entity was operational on February 29, 2020, regardless of the date of the sale.
85. *If the entity’s SVOG application is declined, will an applicant be able to appeal?
Yes, see Appeals section below.
86. Would an individual or business face any penalties for applying for an SVOG if it is later deemed
to be ineligible for the program?
If an entity knowingly makes a material misrepresentation on its application, the entity may be
subject to criminal, civil, or administrative liability, including damages, penalties, and potential
debarment from doing business with the Federal government.
87. *What are the possible reasons for which an entity’s SVOG application might be denied?
The SBA will reject an SVOG application when all available SVOG funding has run out, OR where an
entity:
(1) Submits materially false or fraudulent documentation or there are other indications of fraud in
connection with the application;
(2) Fails to meet the definition of an eligible entity;
(3) Lacks the required level of revenue loss;
(4) Possesses one or more of the disqualifying conditions identified in the Economic Aid Act;
(5) Is part of a group of affiliated museums that has already received $10 million in SVOG funding;
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(6) Is part of a group of affiliated entities that currently has 5 active SVOG applications still pending,
or which has already received 5 SVOG awards;
(7) Or one of its principals appears on the Excluded Parties List on the System for Award
Management (sam.gov).
88. Are entities that began operations in 2020 eligible?
Firms not in operation in 2019 may qualify for an SVOG if their gross earned revenues for the second,
third, or fourth quarter of 2020 demonstrate a reduction of not less than 25% from their gross earned
revenue for the first quarter of 2020.
For firms that had commenced start-up operations but were unable to open as anticipated due to the
pandemic, they would only be eligible under this alternate method if they had earned revenue in the
first quarter of 2020 from sources such as advance ticket sales, merchandising, etc.
Firms which had been conducting business operations and incurring expenses in 2020 in a pre-
opening capacity, but which had no earned revenue for the first quarter of 2020 would not be eligible
to apply.
89. How will the SBA determine the amount of SVOG funding to award an eligible entity that started
business operations in January or February 2020 and has no 2019 revenues?
While the Economic Aid Act states that eligible entities that were fully operational on February 29,
2020, are eligible for SVOGs, the statute does not include a method for determining award amounts
for businesses founded in early 2020. The Agency will award an SVOG applicant that began business
operations in January or February 2020 the lesser of: the average monthly earned revenue for each
full month it was in business in 2020 multiplied by 6, or $10 million.
90. *Will the SBA require audited financial statements as part of an SVOG application?
No, not for the application process. An audited financial statement is not required to apply for an
SVOG. However, if an entity had a Single Audit or audited financial statement in 2019, this should be
uploaded as a supporting document in the application.
If the entity expends more than $750,000 in Federal funding in a single fiscal year, the entity must
provide a Single Audit report or audited financial statement, as applicable.
The SBA will direct grantees that expend $750,000 or more in SVOG funds to submit a copy of the
Single Audit or audited financial statement during the post-award auditing phase.
91. Will applicants be able to save their applications while in progress and then return to finish and
submit them later?
Yes.
92. *Will the portal allow an applicant to submit an incomplete application?
The online application portal will not allow an applicant to skip a required question or fail to upload a
document in a required location. Applicants can save and edit their work to ensure the answers are
correct and files are uploaded properly.
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93. What entity information submitted as part of the SVOG application will be disclosed to the
public?
If an entity is awarded an SVOG, the SBA must report the amount and the name and address of the
entity (or person’s name and address if applied as an individual), in the publicly searchable database
USASpending.gov.
To help ensure all confidential business information is properly excluded, the SBA recommends
marking any documents submitted that contain such information with the phrase “Confidential
Business Information.” As an alternative to marking the document itself, the annotation “Contains
Confidential Business Information” can be included in the file name.
The SBA will exclude any personally identifiable information (such as a Social Security Number) or
confidential business information about the entity (such as financial data) from disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act, though such information may be shared with SBA’s Office of Inspector
General, the Government Accountability Office, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee,
and/or members of Congress in response to a proper and official request.
94. Will an SVOG recipient have to report the grant to the IRS as taxable income?
No.
95. Will an SVOG recipient also be eligible to apply under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund?
No. In accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act, entities that have a pending application for or
received an SVOG are not eligible to apply under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. For more
information visit www.sba.gov/restaurants.
96. Will venues that lack box office reports to submit with their applications (whether because they
are used by outside promoters or because they are smaller operations that retain fewer
records) be allowed to present other types of evidence that they host shows regularly, such as
the agreements with outside promoters?
Yes.
97. Many venues have permanent infrastructure for hanging sound and lights as opposed to owning
in-house systems because some artists have their own equipment hung for every show. For acts
without their own gear, the venues rent equipment. Also, some venues may have sound
systems permanently installed but do not have the receipts or the itemized insurance
statements showing insurance coverage. Can such venues satisfy the “proof of a sound system”
requirement through other types of evidence such as rental receipts, photographs, tech
specification sheets, production reimbursement receipts, etc.?
Yes.
98. For the employee list on the Applicant Checklist, what timeframe should it cover?
The employee list should be current at the time of the application. However, if the applicant
furloughed employees because they are shuttered, then the most recent employee list prior to the
venue being shuttered will be acceptable.
99. Should a non-profit provide the ID of its president/CEO to meet the applicant checklist
requirement of a photocopy of the applicant’s ID?
A non-profit should provide the ID of the principal officer of the entity submitting the application, as
the photocopy of the applicant’s ID is a requirement that applies to all applicants.
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100. If applying under one Employer Identification Number for multiple theatre locations, should
documentation required in the application checklist (pictures of the layout, projection booth,
box office reports, marketing media, etc.) be provided for each location?
Yes. The required information must be provided for each location covered by an SVOG application.
101. Does the applicant need to submit state tax returns with the application or just Federal tax
returns? Do the tax returns need to be signed and dated by the applicant?
Only Federal tax returns are required; they must be signed and dated copies of returns submitted to
the IRS.
102. If an entity received PPP loans in 2020 and 2021, does it only need to deduct the 2021 PPP
amount from the budget prepared for the SVOG application?
Any PPP loan received prior to December 27, 2020, does not need to be deducted from an SVOG
award, even if the organization also received additional PPP loans after that deadline.
A PPP loan received in 2021 must be deducted from the SVOG award. To note, if a 2021 PPP loan
applicant is approved for an SVOG before the SBA issues a loan number for the PPP loan, the
applicant is ineligible for the PPP loan and acceptance of any PPP loan proceeds will be considered
an unauthorized use.
103. Is an entity required to fully fill out the budget section on the application form?
Yes, each part of the budget section must be complete when preparing the SVOG application or the
system will not let you advance to the next step.
104. What is required in the Certification of Need?
There is no set format for a Certification of Need because every eligible entity’s circumstances are
different. Applicants may use the following statement:
“Due to the uncertainty of current economic conditions, a grant is necessary to support the ongoing
operations of _[name of entity]_. _[name of entity]_ started in business on _[date]__, but was
forced to close its doors on __[date]__ due to the pandemic. If it receives a grant, _[name of
entity]_intends to reopen on __[date]__ or sooner, as conditions and restrictions permit.”
105. Apart from the Certification of Need, are there other certifications an entity must make to
receive an SVOG?
Yes. There are several required certifications, attestations, and assurances, such as those regarding
lobbying, suspension and debarment, and drug-free workplaces, as part of its SVOG application.
These forms can be found at sba.gov/svog.
Also, the Economic Aid Act requires that if an entity has between 500 and 10,000 employees and is
awarded an SVOG, it must certify it will not break any existing collective bargaining agreements
during the grant term and for two years thereafter. Such an entity also must certify it will remain
neutral in any union organizing efforts throughout the term of the SVOG.
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106. For nonprofits that use a fiscal year to file annual Form 990 tax returns, the extended due
date for 2019 returns may not have transpired and 2019 and 2020 tax returns may not have
been filed; will the SBA accept a 2018 return?
Yes. Under these circumstances an eligible nonprofit entity may submit its 2018 and 2019 tax returns.
107. Will the additional $1.25 billion the SVOG program received under the American Rescue Plan
Act be administered using the 80/20% allocation between priority and non-priority periods set
by the original program legislation, or will all new funding instead be added only to the ‘general
admission’ phase?
The additional SVOG funding Congress provided is added to the existing appropriation and the total
combined amount will be apportioned in accordance with the statutory scheme: 80% will be
allocated to the first and second priority periods with the remainder reserved for the non-priority
period. In addition, the SBA will set aside at least $2 billion for SVOGs to small employers.
108. *What file types will be accepted in the application system?
The application system will accept files that end in .pdf, .jpg, .jpeg, .doc, docx, .xls, and .xlsx with a
maximum file size of 35 MB per file. No compressed, zip, or password protected files will be accepted.
Links to drives will not be accepted.
109. Many ticket reports list only the dollar amount of tickets sold for a performer rather than
the actual ticket price because there can be a range of ticket prices based on seating area and
other criteria. Can an entity submit a spreadsheet with a ticket report to outline the different
ticket prices for a show?
Yes.
110. If an entity contracts with another entity for the operation of its venue and that contractor
supplies all the necessary staff, should it list zero dollars in the SVOG application (Form 3515)
column for personnel costs?
Yes. Entities should only include costs actually incurred by the entity.
111. Does the $10 million cap on the combined value of awards received by a group of affiliated
firms only apply to applications from groups of museums?
Yes. A museum and up to four museums it owns more than 50% of may all receive SVOG awards, but
the total amount of funding issued to such a group cannot exceed $10 million. No other type of
eligible entity is subject to such a dollar limit cap.
112. Does an entity have to submit all its marketing materials, contracts, etc. – which can be
voluminous - with its application?
Because of size limitations for documents uploaded into the SVOG application portal, the SBA has
determined that eligible entities must submit a sample size of 10 contracts, show/event listings, and
marketing materials for performances they staged, promoted, or booked clients for over the course
of 2019-2020.
Applicants that conducted such activities related to fewer than 10 shows must submit
documentation for all their shows. Eligible entities subject to the regular programming requirement
(i.e., museums and movie theatres), must upload 10 attachments that demonstrate they have
presented an average of at least 4 events per month. In addition, all applicants may submit a
document, such as a spreadsheet, that contains URLs linking to online copies of marketing materials
rather than submitting such materials as attachments.
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113. Does the SVOG application require an entity to complete the proposed budget using ‘fiscal
year’ information?
No.
114. What impact will it have if an entity applied for other assistance, such as a state grant, but it
won’t know the outcome of that before applying for a SVOG?
None. No gross revenues received after December 31, 2020, are relevant for purposes of the initial
award phase of the SVOG program.
115. Should all eligible entities apply at once or should we wait until our designated priority
period/time to apply?
Within each priority phase, awards will be made on a first come, first served basis and the SBA invites
all eligible entities to apply as soon as they can, in order to establish their position in the queue.
During each period of the initial award phase, the SBA will start with the first application submitted
that qualifies for funding under that period and work its way through the queue chronologically.
116. What is the difference between a Form 424 and a Form 424B?
• Form 424 is an Application for Federal Assistance used to apply for many Federal grant
programs. However, the questions from the form are incorporated into the SVOG application
system therefore the 424 does not need to be uploaded separately.
• Form 424B is a set of assurances that a grant recipient makes in advance of receiving its
award affirming that it will comply with various policies, laws, and regulations of the Federal
government. This form is required for SVOG applications and is included in SAM.gov.
117. Does an entity need to fill out a separate SF-424B or can it use the Financial Assistance
Certifications from its SAM.gov registration?
No. An entity does not need to fill out a separate SF-424B. To reduce burden on grant recipients,
SAM.gov centrally collects the standard financial assistance certifications and representations during
registration.
To view or download a copy of your entity's Financial Assistance Certifications, follow these steps:
• Enter https://www.sam.gov in your internet browser’s address bar.
• Select the Search Records tab on the main navigation bar.
• Under Quick Search, enter the unique entity identifier (currently the DUNS Number).
• Select the View Details button on the returned result.
• Select the Reps & Certs link under Entity Registration on the left navigation bar.
• Select the Financial Assistance Certifications Report link to download the grants
certifications.
118. What time frame should the proposed budget cover?
The proposed budget will set forth the proposed use of SVOG Funds over the 12-month period after
award.
During that 12-month period, the recipient may use the funds to pay or reimburse allowable costs
incurred on or after March 1, 2020, as authorized under the Economic Aid Act.
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119. How is the phrase “capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing
arts production” being defined for the cap on allowable expenses? Does this refer to build-outs
for a venue for the presentation of live performances in general, or just to those capital
expenditures related to one particular production?
The SBA interprets the restriction against SVOG recipients primarily using grant funds to pay
advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or
live performing arts production, concert, exhibition, or comedy show as referring to all such costs in
general rather than those relating only to one specific production or show.
120. Is an entity’s NAICS code relevant for purposes of its SVOG application?
While the NAICS code an entity operates in is not a determining factor for SVOG eligibility, it is one of
many pieces of information the SBA may draw upon when conducting a broad-based examination of
an entity’s principal business activity.
121. Can several people fill out one application and access it from different locations?
Only one person may have access to an entity’s SVOG application at a time, but it is possible that
multiple parties could collaborate on a single application if they did so sequentially rather than
concurrently.
122. Can an entity have its accountant or adviser fill out its SVOG application?
Yes. However, an “adviser” cannot sign the Notice of Award or the assurances. Likewise, the required
government-issued ID must belong to an owner, officer, or other principal officer of the entity, not the
ID of an accountant or adviser.
123. What is the difference between “applicant information” and “authorized representative
information” as both are asked for?
Applicant information refers to the eligible entity applying for an SVOG.
Authorized representative information refers to the actual person submitting an SVOG application on
behalf of an eligible entity.
Depending on the type of entity, these may have the same name.
124. Will the SBA apply the governmentwide grant rules of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to the SVOG
program?
Yes
125. Two different SVOG application questions ask to upload floor plans; is it necessary to upload
the same file twice?
Yes. Where the SVOG application requests uploads of the same documentation in different questions,
please do so to ensure a complete application.
126. What is the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Indicator (formerly known as the DUNS+4) if an
entity has only one bank account in its SAM.gov registration?
If an entity has only one bank account associated with its SAM.gov entity registration, its EFT
Indicator is 0000.
127. Are DUNS numbers required for affiliates unrelated to an entity’s SVOG application?
No.
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128. In the SVOG application question regarding whether a business was in operation as of
February 29, 2020, it says quarterly tax filings, financial statements, payroll documents, or
other supporting documentation should be provided. What constitutes “other supporting
documentation”?
This is intended to be a catch-all category to invite entities to provide any other type of
documentation they possess which they believe helps them to establish when the entity began
business operations.
129. The SVOG application says a venue floor plan, venue layout, or other evidence of a projector
and fixed audience seating must be attached to meet the eligibility requirement for at least one
auditorium with a motion picture screen and fixed audience seating. Is this needed for every
screen with fixed seating (if multiple) in each location or will one example per location suffice?
No, only ONE is required.
130. Does the $100,000 limit in annual compensation for an individual employee apply to an
eligible entity’s employees, independent contractors, or employees of independent
contractors?
The limit only applies to individual employees of independent contractors.
131. The original version of the SVOG application included the Form 1386 in the list of required
documents. Are SVOG applicants required to submit this form?
No. The SBA is not requiring SVOG applicants to submit a Form 1386 and the current version of the
SVOG application does not include it in the list of required documents.
132. If a Tribal/state/local government does not require a business license, how should an entity
respond to this application question?
If the entity is not required to have a business license under local law, it may upload a document
stating “Business licenses are not required under local law” instead of providing a copy of a business
license.
133. What will the SBA do if an eligible entity has two or more business activities with essentially
the same level of combined revenues, costs, staff time, assets, contracts, etc.?
Where an eligible entity has multiple lines of business that are essentially tied regarding their share of
the entity's overall business activity, they will all be deemed its principal business activities.
134. When filling out an application, which “form of organization” should a Tribally-owned
Museum select?
Tribally-owned museums (the only type of eligible entity which the Economic Aid Act permits to be
owned by tribes), should select “Government Owned” from the list of possible forms of organizations
on the SVOG application.
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Taxes and 4506-T
135. Is there guidance an entity can use to help it ensure it is properly filling out the Form 4506-T:
Request for Transcript of Tax Return?
Yes, it is included on the second page of the unique SVOG 4506-T, which is what entities should use,
posted at www.sba.gov/svogrant and the Applicant User Guide provides for additional direction.
Though an entity must fill in its own entity information, the SVOG-specific 4506-T includes certain
pre-filled boxes required by the program and IRS.
136. The SVOG-specific pre-filled Form 4506-T only references 2019 tax returns. Are entities
required to submit a second form for their 2018 tax returns, where relevant?
No. The pre-filled portions of the SVOG-specific Form 4506-T were required by the IRS and IRS has
assured SBA that no others will be necessary.
137. Is there some alternative documentation an eligible entity that is exempt from filing Federal
tax returns under Federal law (for example, certain entities owned by a Tribal, state, or local
governments) should submit to verify its revenues?
Yes. Instead of providing copies of its Federal tax returns, an entity that is exempt from filing Federal
taxes should submit copies of audited financial statements that cover its gross and earned revenues.
If it does not have audited financial statements of its own, it may provide those of its parent entity.
Prioritization
138. At which priority or phase is number of employees considered?
There is no priority based on number of employees in the application process. Per the Economic Aid
Act, the $2 billion small employer set-aside for those with 50 employees or less is a separate aspect of
the awarding process from the priority periods.
139. Is an entity’s eligibility for the priority periods based on its gross revenue or earned
revenues?
Eligibility for the first and second priority periods is based upon reductions in an entity’s gross
revenues between comparable dates in 2019 and 2020.
140. How did the SBA determine what “revenue” to consider for establishing priority period
eligibility?
Congress simply referenced “revenue” for the SVOG priority periods in the Economic Aid Act. General
rules of statutory interpretation require an agency to give meaning to every word where possible and
apply the word’s ordinary meaning.
In the legislation, Congress used “revenue” in setting forth the priority periods, not “earned revenue”
and specifically used the term “earned revenue” in other areas, illustrating its understanding of a
distinction between the two terms and the ability to use the limitation where Congress deemed it
appropriate.
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141. *Will the SBA require entities to use the accrual method of accounting only when
determining their qualification for a priority period, or must they also rely on the accrual
method for establishing their award amount and/or non-priority period eligibility?
The accrual method of accounting is only required when determining whether an entity qualifies for
one of the priority periods under the Economic Aid Act. For all other purposes, an entity may rely
upon either the accrual or cash method of accounting; SBA recommends applicants use the same
accounting method used for their Federal Tax Return.
142. Can government-owned eligible entities receive funds during the first or second priority
periods?
No. The first and second priority periods are designed to assist the eligible entities that have faced
the most significant losses while having limited means to make up for lost revenue. Tribal, state, and
local governments have access to taxpayer funds and other resources which private individuals or
organizations lack.
143. How will the SBA prioritize applications within each priority period? Will it be on a first-
come, first-served basis or will it be based on the size of the percentage of revenue loss
suffered?
Within each priority period and the non-priority period, the SBA will process applications in the order
in which they were received.
144. Where will a non-profit entity fit into the application periods?
Non-profits are eligible for the same priority periods as all other eligible entities. Qualification for the
first and second priority periods is based upon the extent of the reduction in an entity’s gross
revenues between April 1 - December 31 of 2019 and 2020.
145. Are there separate rules for how seasonal employers can demonstrate the required gross
revenue loss to qualify for priority period funding?
Yes. The Economic Aid Act authorizes SBA to use an alternate method of calculating gross revenue
loss for seasonal employers that would be adversely impacted by the omission of January, February,
and March from the comparison of their 2019 and 2020 gross revenues when seeking to qualify for
priority period funding. In such cases, SBA has determined that seasonal employers may compare
their seasonal period of activity in 2019 to the same period in 2020.
Use of Funds
146. Can SVOG funds be used to refund customers still holding tickets for cancelled
performances?
Yes. Such expenses should be listed under the “Other” category.
147. Are all customer refunds from 2020 due to cancellations a valid use of funds? If so, what
category will that fall under?
Yes. Such expenses should be listed under the “Other” category.
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148. Can SVOG funds be used to reimburse an owner who put their own money into the entity to
keep employees and operating expenses paid?
Yes. Owners of eligible entities may be fully reimbursed for personal funds they contribute(d) to an
entity to keep it in operation between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021 (or June 30, 2022, if the
entity receives a supplemental phase award), provided sufficient documentation of the transfer and
expenditure of such funds exists. Without such documentation, claimed owner reimbursements will
be treated as compensation or distributions of profits and subject to the cap on such payments noted
in question 4 in this section.
149. Can an entity use funds for owner compensation?
Yes. Owner compensation, including distributions and dividends, will be treated as an ordinary
business expense and thus payable using SVOG funds to the extent that the total amounts involved
do not exceed what an owner received in compensation in 2019.
150. Can grantees use SVOG funds to reimburse themselves for allowable expenses they already
paid going back as far as March 1, 2020?
Yes.
151. Is debt refinanced or consolidated under a new lender, but which existed prior to February
15, 2020, considered an eligible expense? What about a line of credit or revolving loan that
existed prior to February 15, 2020, but was drawn down after that date?
Yes. Payments toward debts recorded prior to February 15, 2020, represent an allowable expense
even if the debt was refinanced or consolidated with other debts that existed prior to that cutoff date.
Any otherwise allowable debt consolidated with a debt that was not recorded prior to February 15,
2020, would continue to be an allowable expense only to the extent of the original qualifying debt.
Any additional amount of indebtedness following the consolidation that is attributable to the
nonqualifying loan would not be an allowable expense.
Additionally, payments on lines of credit or revolving loan funds recorded prior to February 15, 2020,
but not drawn down until after that date would also be an allowable expense.
Where an existing line of credit or revolving loan fund was increased after February 15, 2020, only the
pre-February 15, 2020, amount would represent an allowable expense. SVOG funds could not be used
to make payments on any increase in the indebtedness.
152. Do ‘state and local taxes’ identified as allowable expenses include real estate taxes and
personal property taxes on buildings and equipment?
Yes. Where real estate taxes and personal property taxes are levied on buildings and equipment
directly related to eligible SVOG program operations they may be paid using grant funds. Taxes on
property and equipment owned by an eligible entity not directly related to its SVOG program
operations are not an allowable expense.
153. Can an entity put SVOG funds into an interest-bearing bank account?
Yes. The grantee must maintain advance payments in interest bearing accounts and the limit on
interest earned on grant fund deposits is $500 per year, as per 2 CFR 200.305. Any interest over $500
must be remitted to the Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System.
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154. Can a grantee include the uncredited portion of an individual’s salary for whom it has
received an employee retention tax credit (ERTC) as an allowable expense under an SVOG?
Yes. Where an eligible entity receives an ERTC for one of its employees and that credit does not fully
cover the employee’s salary, SVOG funds may be used to pay the uncredited portion of the
employee’s salary; however, grantees cannot use SVOG funds to pay any portion of an employee’s
salary covered by an ERTC.
155. Will SVOG awards count toward the Single Audit Act threshold?
Yes. As a Federal grant program, all funds awarded under the SVOG will count toward an entity’s
requirement to comply with the Single Audit Act if it receives $750,000 or more in Federal grant
funding during a single fiscal year.
156. Will SBA consider audit costs to be an allowable expense?
Generally, audit expenses will not be considered an allowable grant expense; however, there is an
exception for SVOG recipients covered by the Single Audit Act. For grantees covered by the Single
Audit Act, they may pay a reasonably proportionate share of the costs of audits required by, and
performed in accordance with, the Single Audit Act from its SVOG budget.
157. Is depreciation an allowable expense under SVOG?
Yes.
158. How long will SVOG recipients have to use their grant funds?
Recipients who receive an SVOG in the initial phase will have one year from the date their awards are
disbursed by the SBA to use grant funds.
If an eligible entity receives a Supplemental Phase SVOG, they will instead have 18 months from the
date their Initial Phase award was disbursed by the SBA to expend all their combined grant funds
(both Initial and Supplemental Phase awards).
At the end of the applicable deadline, SVOG grantees must return all unexpended SVOG funds to the
SBA.
159. Can SVOG funds be used to pay artist deposits and guarantees?
Yes. Understanding that artists are typically independent contractors paid out of ticket proceeds and
in many cases the proceeds are not available prior to the show closing so entities often use deposits
and/or guarantees to provide prior payments to artists, this use of SVOG funds is authorized as an
ordinary and necessary business expense.
160. *Will an SVOG be disbursed in one lump sum or in multiple payments? If multiple payments
are used, what will the time frame be for payout?
SVOGs will be paid in single disbursements. Any supplemental awards will be paid as a second award
in another lump-sum disbursement.
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161. Is there a difference between the amount of time an SVOG recipient has to expend award
funds and the period of time during which they may incur allowable costs?
Yes. While a recipient of an Initial Phase SVOG has one year from the date of its award to expend its
grant funds, it can only use those funds to pay allowable items of cost incurred between March 1,
2020, and December 31, 2021. Where an entity receives a Supplemental Phase SVOG, it will have 18
months from the date of its Initial Phase Award to expend its grant funds, but it can only use those
funds to pay allowable costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022.
162. Can SVOG funds be used to make payments on SBA-backed or SBA direct loans?
Yes. The Economic Aid Act states SVOG funds may be used for “scheduled payments of interest or
principal on any indebtedness or debt instrument incurred in the ordinary course of business.” Given
the broad language used by Congress, the SBA will treat payments on both SBA-backed and SBA
direct loans as an allowable expense under the SVOG program, so long as those loans began prior to
February 15, 2020.
163. Can SVOG funds be used to make employees whole for temporary reductions in pay an
employer had to impose due to economic circumstances under the pandemic?
Yes. Where employee salaries and wages were reduced for some or all of the period between March 1,
2020, and December 31, 2021 (or June 30, 2022, in the case of supplemental award recipients) due to
economic circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an SVOG recipient may use grant funds
to restore the lost wages of its employees in whole or in part.
164. *How long will an Awardee have to spend SVOG funds?
Grantees will have one year from the date their SVOG award is issued to spend their funds, unless
they receive an extension following the issuance of a supplemental award.
165. *For purposes of determining whether an SVOG recipient has expended more than $750,000
in Federal financial assistance and is subject to the Single Audit Act, should the grantee use its
SVOG award amount before or after its PPP loans were deducted?
The Single Audit Act threshold applies to the amount of Federal financial assistance an entity
expends in one fiscal year, not the amount which it receives. As such, it does not matter whether an
SVOG grantee had its award reduced by the amount of its PPP loan. All that matters is the aggregate
amount of Federal financial assistance it spent in one fiscal year. Additionally, PPP loans are not
considered Federal financial assistance as delegated lenders disburse them and the government
does not directly provide them (the government provides the guaranty) so they do not count for
purposes of the Single Audit Act threshold. However, Economic Injury Disaster Loans are considered
Federal financial assistance, so an entity that received an EIDL or EIDL Advance, Targeted EIDL
Advance and the like, would have to add those funds to its SVOG award amount when determining if
it had expended more than $750,000 in Federal financial assistance in one fiscal year.
166. Will making improvements/changes to bathrooms, HVAC etc. in response to COVID-19 be
eligible uses of SVOG funds?
Yes.
167. *Will entities be required to stay within the limits of how they propose to spend the grant
funding, and will it matter if the final expenses comply closely with the budget provided?
Grantees may move costs between allowable categories. However, all grantees will need to submit a
final budget upon grant close-out.
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168. Will artist deposits/guarantees from promoters who hold then disburse the money to
multiple artist clients, count as contractors for booking agencies and, if so, will it be limited to
the $100,000 payment for individual employees of an independent contractor?
No. Talent representatives or other entities acting as fiscal transfer agents on behalf of individual
artists will not be considered independent contractors for purposes of the $100,000 payment limit.
Instead, the SBA will consider the relevant independent contractor in such cases to be the individual
artist represented by the talent agent or manager.
169. *Will credit card payments be considered scheduled debt payments that can be paid from
SVOG funds?
Sometimes. Individual credit card charges that relate to allowable expenses such as utility payments,
worker protection expenditures, or other ordinary and necessary business expenses and which were
incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 21, 2021 (or June 30, 2022, if the entity receives a
supplemental SVOG award) are payable or reimbursable from grant funds.
170. Are all owners’ distributions and wages from 2019 a valid use of funds? If so, what category
will that fall under?
No. Only costs incurred after March 1, 2020, are allowable.
171. How will the SVOG award funds be delivered to the recipients?
Entities will submit their bank information as part of the SAM.gov registration process. Upon
confirming the grant award, the SBA will process the funds (in whole or in part, depending on the
circumstance) through its internal accounting system and deliver them via ACH to the entity’s bank.
172. Can funds be used to pay for construction projects such as a new roof and similar projects?
Construction activities that may reasonably be considered maintenance costs or ordinary and
necessary business expenses are allowable, as are any costs related to employee protection (Use of
Funds FAQ #166 above).
For example, if an entity has loose shingles on the roof replaced on an annual basis, this could be
allowable as a maintenance cost. Also, the cost related to the construction of a set used for stage
performances may be allowable, if this is an ordinary and reasonable expense of the entity.
173. *Can funds be used to purchase alcohol?
In certain circumstances, this is allowable. The SVOG statute allows grantees to use award funds for
“ordinary and necessary business expenses.” Based on the IRS definition in Publication No. 535, an
ordinary and necessary business expense is “…one that is common and accepted in your trade or
business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your trade or business. An
expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.” Alcohol sales often form a
substantial portion, if not the majority, of the earned revenues for many SVOG grantees, especially
venue operators and motion picture theatre operators. Accordingly, purchasing alcohol as a supply
or inventory is an ordinary and necessary business expense for such grantees.
However, using SVOG funding to purchase alcohol for use as entertainment or personal expense is
unallowable in accordance with the governmentwide grant regulations in 2 CFR 200.423. For
example, grantees could not use their grant funds to send bottles of champagne to their clients or
provide martinis at a reception or any similar situation involving the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
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Business Size/Employees
174. How should an entity determine its number of full-time equivalent employees?
For employee count, the SBA is drawing on the Economic Aid Act’s specific provisions re: the
calculation of employees and decades of agency experience in counting employees under the SBA
size regulations (13 C.F.R. § 121.106).
Employees that work at least 30 hours per week are considered full-time. Employees that work
between 10-29 hours per week are considered one-half of a full-time employee. Employees that work
less than 10 hours per week are not considered an employee. Once the qualifying employees are
determined, an entity must then calculate the average number of employees it had over the prior
year by adding up the number of qualifying employees in each individual pay period and dividing that
amount by the number of pay periods over the 12-month period from March 1, 2019 to February 29,
2020.
For example, assume a firm paid its employees monthly and had the following number of qualifying
employees each pay period:
• Mar 2019 – 9.5 full-time employees
• Apr 2019 – 8 full-time employees
• May 2019 – 9.5 full-time employees
• Jun 2019 – 8.5 full-time employees
• Jul 2019 – 10 full-time employees
• Aug 2019 – 10 full-time employees
• Sep 2019 – 7 full-time employees
• Oct 2019 – 8.5 full-time employees
• Nov 2019 – 7 full-time employees
• Dec 2019 – 6 full-time employees
• Jan 2020 – 7.5 full-time employees
• Feb 2020 – 6 full-time employees
The sum of the firm’s full-time employees is 97.5. The firm would then divide 97.5 by 12 (the number
of pay periods) to determine its average number of full-time employees was eight.
175. Are institutions of more than 500 employees eligible to apply for an SVOG if they meet other
eligibility criteria?
Yes, as long as the entity does not also operate in more than 10 states AND in more than one country.
176. For determining employee counts and the average number of employees, what should an
entity do if the date range doesn’t match neatly with the payroll schedule (e.g., biweekly)?
An entity’s average number of full-time employees will be determined with reference to each pay
period that falls, either in whole or in part, within the 12-month timeframe stipulated by the
Economic Aid Act.
For example, if an entity’s biweekly pay period ran from February 18, 2019, to March 3, 2019, that pay
period would be considered when determining the entity’s number of full-time employees, even
though only three days of that pay period fell within the 12-month timeframe. In this case, the entity
would average the employee’s weekly hours for that pay period (including the days that fell outside
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the 12-month timeframe) to determine if they were a full-time employee in the first covered pay
period. If the employee worked 40 hours from February 18-24, 2019, and 30 hours from February 25-
March 3, 2019, their weekly average for that pay period would be 35 hours and they would count as a
full-time employee for the first pay period.
177. If an entity has a biweekly payroll schedule it will likely have some staff who work less than
10 hours for the first week of a pay period and more than 10 hours for the second week of a pay
period. Would the entity average their total hours over those two weeks to determine if they
were a full-time employee for purposes of that pay period?
Yes, when calculating their number of full-time employees, entities will use a weekly average of the
employees’ total hours over that pay period.
For example, if an entity has a biweekly pay period and an employee worked 10 hours the first week
and 30 hours the second week, the employee would have worked an average of 20 hours per week
during that pay period and would be considered half a full-time employee for that pay period. While
the Economic Aid Act defines full-time employees in terms of how many hours they work per week,
for the small employer set-aside, the SBA will average number of full-time employees an entity has
per pay period over the course of a set 12-month period.
178. What is the full-time employee calculation used for?
The SBA will look to the number of full-time employees retained by an entity for three purposes:
(1) To determine whether the entity has more than 500 employees and thus may be
ineligible for the SVOG if it also meets other criteria;
(2) To determine whether the entity has between 500 and 10,000 employees and is thus
subject to the certification regarding labor rights; and
(3) To see if the entity is eligible for the small employer set-aside.
179. Do independent contractors count as employees for purposes of the small employer set-
aside?
The SBA will consider the totality of the circumstances, including criteria used by the IRS for Federal
income tax purposes, in determining whether individuals are employees of a concern. Where the IRS
considers an individual to be an independent contractor rather than an employee, the SBA will do the
same.
180. If an eligible entity is run by a management company does the owner report that it doesn’t
have any employees, or is it required to include the number of individuals working for the
management company in its application?
An eligible entity must only list its own full-time employees on its application, if any. The owner
would not include employees of the management company.
181. Can a Tribal, state, or local government-owned eligible entity qualify for the small employer
set-aside?
Yes.
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Revenue
182. Will a recipient’s grant amount be based on their earned or gross revenue?
Earned revenue. The amount of funding an eligible entity receives under the SVOG program will be
based on the product of a formula applied to their 2019 earned revenue (minus the amount of any
PPP loan(s) received after December 27, 2020) or $10 million, whichever is less.
183. Are donations / contributions included in gross earned revenue?
No. Only earned revenue should be included in calculations of gross earned revenue. Unearned
revenue, including donations and other gratuitous contributions, such as foundation grants and
individual gifts, should not be included.
184. Are fundraising event receipts considered gross earned revenue?
In dealing with fundraising events, the SBA will follow the same general principles applied to tax
deductions for donations to charities. This means that the portion of the amount an individual pays
in connection with a fundraising event which represents the estimated value of the good or service
they receive in exchange must be included in gross earned revenue. However, that portion of the
amount such an individual pays that exceeds the estimated value of the good or service they receive
will be considered a donation and is not included in gross earned revenue.
For example, if a ticket to a fundraising dinner costs $100 per person and the estimated value of the
dinner provided is $50, then $50 of the funds generated from the fundraising ticket would be
considered gross earned revenue and the other $50 would be considered a donation and would be
excluded from gross earned revenue.
185. Does a non-profit count contributions and grants revenue?
No. Only earned revenue should be included in calculations of gross earned revenue. Unearned
revenue, including donations and other gratuitous contributions, such as foundation grants and
individual gifts, should not be included.
186. Does a non-profit count membership revenue?
Like fundraising, membership revenue will be considered part earned revenue and part gross
revenue. The portion of membership cost that represents the estimated value of the goods or
services provided as a condition of membership should be included in earned revenue. The portion of
a membership cost that exceeds the estimated value of the goods or services provided as a condition
of membership is considered gross revenue.
187. What is included in the 10% maximum for Federal grants/funding?
The 10% maximum for Federal grants/funding covers everything except disaster assistance,
regardless of the use of the grant/funding.
188. Is rental income from tenants and income from renting the venue for private events
counted as earned revenue?
Yes, rental income from longer-term tenants and from short-term rentals for event hosting should be
included in earned revenue because they derive from standard commercial transactions for the paid
use of facilities.
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189. If an eligible entity has multiple lines of business activity, including a line(s) not covered by
the SVOG program (e.g., provides talent representation and financial services for athletes and
entertainers), should it include earned revenue derived from those business lines or just the
portion that relates to the SVOG?
Yes. If an entity’s primary business activity places it within one of the categories of an eligible entity
under the Economic Aid Act, then it should use its gross earned revenue across all business activities
and not exclude any non-SVOG revenue streams. The entity would also need to satisfy the
requirement that the principal line of business makes it eligible for an SVOG.
190. Is school tuition (e.g., charged by a dance school that operates a live venue) considered
earned revenue?
Yes.
191. Will the SBA treat funds raised via capital campaigns differently than other types of
fundraising proceeds?
Yes. Given the unique nature and objective of capital campaigns conducted by nonprofits, the SBA
will exclude all funds raised via capital campaigns from calculations of earned revenue.
192. Will the SBA look to calendar year 2019 or fiscal year 2019 earned revenues for calculating
award amounts?
The SBA will use an entity’s calendar year 2019 earned revenues as the basis for determining its
award amount.
193. Will earned revenue be analyzed/reported net of sales tax, returns, and discounts?
Yes. Amounts that represent the costs of taxes collected for and remitted to a taxing authority, or
returns, and post-sale discounts may be deducted from earned revenues.
194. Does the exclusion of disaster assistance funds only apply to funds received directly from
the Federal government?
No. Disaster assistance funds an eligible entity receives, whether directly from the Federal
government or indirectly through a Tribal, state, or local government, will be excluded from the
entity’s gross revenues.
For example, if a state government received CARES Act funding from the Federal government in a
lump sum and apportioned it to make grants to small businesses, those state-issued grants also
would be excluded from an entity’s gross revenue. However, disaster assistance funding provided by
Tribal, state, and local governments that does not originate from Federal disaster assistance block
grants, as well as disaster assistance provided by private entities, will not be excluded from an
entity’s gross revenues.
195. *Does disaster assistance include stimulus checks, unemployment insurance payments,
loan forgiveness, or other forms of debt relief?
In no event would assistance of this sort be considered earned revenue. For purposes of the SVOG, if
such assistance originated from funding provided under either the Stafford Act (41 USC 5121 et seq.)
or the CARES Act (Pub. L. No. 116-136), as amended, it would be considered Federal disaster
assistance (even if it was delivered by a Tribal, state, or local government) and excluded from an
eligible entity’s gross revenue. If the funding came from any other source it would have to be
included in gross revenue.
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196. *Will the SBA treat funds derived from sponsorships as earned revenue or gross revenue?
Will sponsorship revenue be treated the same for for-profit and non-profit entities?
SBA’s treatment of sponsorship revenue will depend on whether an entity is a for-profit or non-profit
entity.
• For-profit entities: It will be considered earned revenue because it represents payment made
in exchange for a service (i.e., recognition or advertising), sponsorship payments (such as
naming rights).
• Non-profit entities: It will be considered part earned revenue and part gross revenue. In such
cases, the sponsorship payment amount that represents a fair market value for services in
exchange (i.e., promotion, free admission, use of facilities) will be deemed earned revenue
and the portion of the sponsorship payment that exceeds that amount will be deemed a
contribution and thus gross revenue. For example, if a company gives $25,000 to a non-profit
and for that, gets its logo in a program, event admission and screen time on monitors at the
venue, then the “market cost” of those items are earned revenue and the remaining is gross
revenue.
197. How will the SBA categorize a partner’s standard, non-passive revenue (such as that
reported on an IRS schedule K-1)?
The SBA will include this type of revenue as both gross revenue and earned revenue.
198. How will the SBA treat cases where all the revenue of an entity that commenced business
operations and incurred costs in 2020 was refunded due to closures and cancellations brought
on by the COVID-19 pandemic?
In such cases, an entity may include these refunded amounts in both its gross revenue and earned
revenue.
199. If an entity operates two separate sites, which in 2019 were operated by two separate
entities but merged in January 2020, how should it treat its 2019 and 2020 revenues?
In cases of merged entities under circumstances such as this, entities should combine the revenues
from both organizations for 2019 and then use the revenues for the successor entity for 2020.
200. Should in-kind gifts be included in gross revenue?
Yes. Gifts or contributions of any type, whether cash or in-kind, must be included in gross revenue.
201. If an entity receives production fees and reimbursements from outside entities that put on
productions in its spaces and some of the events are business conferences, does the revenue
from these programs have to be excluded from performance fees?
No. This revenue should be included along with an entity’s other performance fees.
202. If an entity holds fee-based educational events at its venue and presents fee-based
programs offsite, is the revenue from the offsite programs excluded?
No. The fees generated by these offsite programs should be included in the entity’s gross and earned
revenues.
203. If an entity does not sell food or beverages directly to consumers, but receives a commission
from a concessions firm that is outsourced for this, would the commission funds received
constitute food and beverage sales?
Yes.
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204. Can music recordings produced via a record label in an entity’s spaces, on tour and online
count as merchandise sales?
Yes.
205. For an entity that only operates some facilities, and the facility owner remains responsible
for profits and losses (i.e., revenue and expenses are reported on operator tax return
attributable to owner), how should the operator handle reporting? Should the revenue from the
operated-only facilities be removed in this section since the owner will use those revenues on
owner’s SVOG application?
While it is possible that the same venue may be associated with multiple applications, such as where
a venue owner, promoter, and talent representative all reference the same venue for purposes of
documenting that they each individually meet the facility and event related eligibility requirements
of the SVOG program, no SVOG application should include revenues that are also included on another
SVOG application.
206. *Where a subsidiary entity shares an EIN with its parent entity, should its application use
the revenue figures for the subsidiary entity, or must the requested revenue figures be those of
the parent entity?
The SBA will examine of the principal business activity of the applying entity and not more broadly
consider the operations of its parent company, even where the entity uses the EIN of its parent
company EIN.
207. What should a talent representative count as their gross and earned revenues?
Talent representatives should claim the commission income they earned from an artist’s fee and any
retainers paid to the talent representative. They should not claim payments passed through to the
artists they represent.
Subsidiaries & Affiliates
208. What does it mean for two or more entities to be affiliated?
Affiliation occurs where one firm has the power to control another firm, or a single person or entity
has the power to control both. Affiliation typically arises due to common ownership, management, or
through contractual or other legal arrangements. The SBA uses the principle of affiliation to help it
determine if an entity is eligible for some government program or benefit reserved for small
businesses. Where firms are found to be affiliated with one another, the SBA will combine their
revenues and number of employees and compare those aggregated amounts to the relevant size
limit for the program or benefit one of the firms is seeking. In this way, the SBA ensures that a firm
which appears to be small but is actually controlled by a large corporation does not take a benefit
meant only for small firms. The rules regarding affiliation in the context of SBA’s financial assistance
programs may be found at 13 C.F.R. §121.301(f).
209. How will the SBA apply the principle of affiliation to the SVOG program?
In administering the SVOG program, the SBA will consider the principle of affiliation in the following
two contexts:
(1) In applying the two provisions of the Economic Aid Act that specifically reference affiliation.
First, it says affiliated firms (including subsidiaries) may apply for SVOGs on their own if they
meet all the eligibility requirements. Second, it says that no more than five affiliated firms
may receive SVOGs. In applying these two provisions, the SBA will rely upon the general
principles of 13 C.F.R. § 121.301(f) to determine when firms are affiliated.
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(2) In determining whether an entity qualifies for the small employer set-aside or is subject to the
certification regarding protecting labor rights. When calculating how many full-time equivalents
an entity has for purposes of determining whether it falls within the threshold for either of these,
the SBA will look to the total number of full-time equivalents retained by the entity and all its
affiliated entities (excluding those subsidiaries that independently meet the SVOG eligibility
criteria and are thus not considered affiliates for purposes of the Economic Aid Act).
210. How are shared expenses across affiliated organizations treated?
Assuming an entity with subsidiaries, the (parent) shares costs with its subsidiaries, the parent’s
shared costs (or allocated costs to subsidiaries) remain as such, and the parent should keep records
to show that all expenses claimed under the grant served grant purposes. If a subsidiary is eligible to
apply for and applies for its own grant, only the portion of the shared cost that the subsidiary pays
can be paid for by the SVOG should it be received.
211. Are there limits on the number of affiliates that can receive an SVOG or the total between
them?
Yes, a maximum of five business entities related via affiliation (for example, one parent firm and four
subsidiaries) can receive an SVOG. In addition, an eligible museum, and all other museums it
operates as subsidiaries may receive no more than $10 million combined under the program.
212. For entities with subsidiaries, does each entity need to meet the eligibility criteria
independently?
No. Subsidiaries only need to meet the eligibility criteria independently if they are applying for SVOG
awards on their own. Additionally, per the Economic Aid Act, subsidiary entities that qualify for an
SVOG will not be treated as affiliates of their parent entity or one another.
213. If a parent company is ineligible for an SVOG, can one of its subsidiaries still be eligible?
In general, yes, if they apply separately. The Economic Aid Act specifically allows up to five firms with
a subsidiary/parent relationship to apply for an SVOG provided that they meet the eligibility
requirements in their own right, and the fact that one of them is ineligible generally should not
preclude the others’ eligibility. However, a subsidiary would not be eligible if it is majority owned or
controlled by a parent entity that is either listed on the stock market or owns or operates eligible
entities in more than 1 country and more than 10 states and has more than 500 employees. In either
of those cases, the Economic Aid Act mandates that a subsidiary entity is ineligible for an SVOG even
if it meets all the other requirements.
214. May a parent company include its subsidiaries in an SVOG application or do separate
applications need to be submitted for a parent and each subsidiary?
A parent company may include its subsidiaries in an SVOG application. While subsidiaries can apply
for SVOGs on their own, they are not required to do so. A parent company can submit an application
that includes some or all its subsidiaries if it wishes to.
215. If a theatre circuit has five theatres, each a separate legal entity, but filed a consolidated tax
return, are they considered five entities or one entity?
Five entities. Consolidating tax returns does not strip subsidiary or affiliated entities of any separate
legal existence they may possess.
216. If a motion picture theatre business is organized into two legal entities (the motion picture
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theatre management company and the motion picture theater operating company) and does
not separately allocate revenues because all income and expenses are consolidated, may the
management company and operating company each apply for separate SVOGs? For purposes of
determining the respective revenues of each separate affiliate, may the business apply a
reasonable method of dividing revenue between the two entities?
Yes. In allocating revenues and expenses to the separate entities the owner should consider the roles
and responsibilities of each entity and the effort and other resources each contributed to the
consolidated operations and ensure that any such division is reasonable and well documented.
217. If a company has 10 subsidiaries or affiliates that are independent legal entities could all 10
apply for an SVOG at once with the understanding that only five of them could receive grants?
No. Any applications received above the five affiliated-entity limit will be rejected without being
evaluated. No more than five affiliated eligible entities may have active SVOG applications at any one
time to efficiently allocate resources. This also reduces the potential for erroneous SVOG awards
which would need to be cancelled and possibly recouped.
218. *Can two affiliated eligible entities both use the employer identification number of their
parent to apply for their own SVOG? For example, could a concert hall and a movie theatre
owned by the same parent entity each use that parent entity’s EIN to apply?
Yes.
219. When will the SBA consider two entities with common ownership to be affiliated for
purposes of the SVOG program?
Consistent with the affiliation regulations for financial assistance programs (see 13 C.F.R. §
121.301(f)) the SBA will consider two firms to be affiliated based on ownership for purposes of the
SVOG program where one firm owns more than 50% of the other or a single person or entity owns
more than 50% of both.
220. Can 2 or more firms affiliated due to their common ownership by another firm apply jointly?
While affiliates may apply for the SVOG program in their own name or may be included in an
application submitted by their ultimate parent entity, they cannot team up together on an
application unless one of the firms owns more than 50% of the other.
For example, if Company A owns 100% of Company B, which owns 100% of Company C, then
Company C could apply in its own name or be included in either A or B’s application. Conversely, if
Companies B and C are both 100% owned by Company A then they could each apply in their own
name or be included in A’s application, but B and C could not pair up together to submit an SVOG
application.
221. If an entity does not have DUNS numbers for affiliates that will be listed as part of its SVOG
application, but the affiliates do not qualify for a SVOG (and won’t be applying), does it need to
have DUNS numbers for those affiliates?
No. If an entity does not currently have DUNS numbers for non-SVOG eligible affiliates it is not
required to obtain such registrations to submit an SVOG application.
222. Does the limit on having no more than five pending applications or receiving no more than
five SVOG awards per group of affiliated entities apply to government-owned entities?
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No, the SBA will not limit Tribal, state, or local governments to having no more than five pending
SVOG applications or to receiving no more than five SVOGs. Given most government-owned entities
do not have their own EINs as noted above in the Eligibility section and many states may own
numerous eligible entities, whether directly or through their public university systems, applying the
‘5 per group’ restriction here would prevent many, if not most, of them from receiving SVOG funding.
Additionally, given the decentralized way governments own and operate eligible entities, it is not
feasible to bundle several such entities into a single application as privately-owned parent
companies may easily do.
223. Can affiliated entities use the same SAM registration to apply for up to five SVOGs or should
each affiliated entity that desires to receive a SVOG individually obtain its own SAM
registration?
With the exception of Tribal, state, or local government-owned eligible entities, which as previously
noted typically do not have their own EINs and thus will also lack their own SAM registration, each
entity applying for an SVOG must use its own SAM registration.
224. If an entity is disregarded for tax purposes and doesn’t file its own tax returns, should the
disregarded entity apply for an SVOG or should the entity that files tax returns apply for the
SVOG?
Assuming both entities have their own separate legal existence, and each meets the eligibility
requirements under the Economic Aid Act, either could apply for an SVOG.
225. Can the same email address be used for registering several affiliated eligible entities that
will be applying for SVOG awards?
No. Separate email addresses must be used for each entity that registers with the SVOG Application
Portal.
*Appeals
226. *Why is the SBA allowing for an appeals process in the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
program?
The agency recognizes that the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program’s eligibility requirements
are complex as written in the statute, and that a lack of familiarity with the federal grants process
may have resulted in some applicants submitting incorrect or insufficient information to prove their
eligibility. The agency would like to provide additional process for these applicants who are eligible
under statute to attempt to prove their eligibility. SBA anticipates reversals of prior decisions will be
rare.
227. *Who is eligible for the appeals process?
All applicants who have been declined are eligible to submit an appeal.
228. *How do applicants initiate the appeals process?
Applicants who have been declined will receive an email notification that they are eligible to submit
an appeal through the portal. In the portal, after the applicant selects the type of entity it would like
to apply as, the application will display a list of documents that may be uploaded to support
eligibility.
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229. *How long do applicants have to submit an appeal?
From the date that the invitation to appeal is distributed, applicants will have two weeks to submit
an appeal. During the initial two-week appeals window, funding for appeals will be preserved.
Although applicants may appeal after the two-week window, there is no guarantee that funding will
remain available.
230. *What information is requested during the appeals process?
Applicants who choose to appeal process will be asked to review the Eligibility Matrix and upload a
signed statement indicating their grounds for appeal, as well as any supporting documents from the
Application Checklist, or any documents previously requested.
231. *Can applicants participate in both the appeals process and then the reconsideration
process?
Yes. If an applicant’s appeal is approved but their award amount is at least $100 less than the amount
requested, the Applicant may then seek Reconsideration. Applicants are encouraged to review the
Application Checklist and upload the documentation necessary to substantiate their reported
revenue during the appeals process. In addition to the documents listed in the checklist (version 3,
effective 2021-04-03), applicants may submit:
A. State tax returns
B. Updated externally or internally prepared and signed financial statements such as Income
Statement or Profit and Loss Statement with revenue line items to calculate the 70% of
revenue from eligible activities
C. Third-party ticket system or third-party merchant accounts
D. CPA comfort letters or CPA firm attestations (not required, but may help applicants
successfully advance through the review process in combination with one of the above)
232. *How does reconsideration affect an applicant’s supplemental award?
If an applicant’s application for reconsideration is approved and the applicant is eligible for a
supplemental award, its supplemental award amount will be based on its modified award. If an
applicant’s application for reconsideration is not approved, any supplemental award amount will be
based on the original award.
If the reconsideration approval comes after the supplemental award, SBA will true-up the
supplemental award accordingly.
233. *Is there a secondary appeals process for applicants whose appeals are denied?
No, there is no secondary appeals process through the SVOG program. Determinations on appeal are
the final agency decisions. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Eligibility Matrix and the
list of acceptable documents to ensure they upload all relevant documents during the appeals
process.
*Reconsideration
234. *Who is eligible for reconsideration?
Applicants who received an award amount at least $100 less than the Proposed Grant Amount on
their application (including appropriate deduction of PPP loans approved after December 27, 2020).
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235. *How does an applicant initiate the reconsideration process?
Applicants who are eligible for the reconsideration process will receive an email notification inviting
them to opt-in to reconsideration through the portal—the notification will also be available in the
SVOG portal.
236. *How long do applicants have to apply for reconsideration?
From the date that the invitation for reconsideration is distributed, applicants will have two weeks to
submit a request. For all who request within the initial two-week appeals window, funding for
reconsideration will be preserved. Although applicants may request reconsideration after the two-
week window, there is no guarantee that funding will remain available.
237. *What information is requested during the reconsideration process?
Applicants are asked to upload a signed statement explaining why their initial award does not reflect
their actual total revenue loss. Applicants should also upload any new financial documents from the
Application Checklist, as well as any of the following that will help the applicant substantiate their
actual total revenue loss:
a. State tax returns
b. Updated externally or internally prepared and signed financial statements such as
Income Statement or Profit and Loss Statement with revenue line items to calculate the
70% of revenue from eligible activities
c. Third-party ticket system or third-party merchant accounts
d. CPA comfort letters or CPA firm attestations (not required, but may help applicants
successfully advance through the review process in combination with one of the above)
Supplemental Phase
238. *If all SVOG program funds are expended during the program’s initial phase, what will the
SBA do with regard to making supplemental awards?
All SVOG funding will not be expended during the program’s initial phase.
239. For seasonally operated entities, will an alternative earned revenue loss comparison of Q1
2021 to Q1 2019 method be used for supplemental award eligibility?
Yes, where an entity operates seasonally rather than year-round, the SBA will permit the seasonally-
operated entity to compare its Q2 2021 earned revenues to its Q2 2019 earned revenues to
demonstrate whether it has experienced the 70% earned revenue loss required for supplemental
grants.
240. Can eligible entities include an application for a supplemental grant as part of the initial
grant request, or will they be required to submit a separate supplemental application later?
Eligible entities cannot include a supplemental application as part of the initial request. Consistent
with the Economic Aid Act, the SBA will finish the initial round of awards before proceeding to the
supplemental phase.
241. *Will supplemental grant amounts be based on earned or gross revenue?
Earned revenue.
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242. *For applicants who had PPP awards subtracted from their initial SVOG, will the
supplemental grant amount be based on the initial grant amount before subtracting PPP or the
amount disbursed?
Supplemental awards will be based on the initial grant amount before subtracting PPP (the higher
amount).
243. *Who is eligible for a supplemental award?
Any applicant who has made no materials changes to the business and meets both the following:
a. Received an initial SVOG with a value of less than $10 million, and
b. Applicants whose Q1 2021 earned revenue was no more than 30 percent of their Q1 2019
earned revenue. For applicants that were not in operation in Q1 2019, their first quarter
earned revenues will be used instead.
Including any applications who meet the two above criteria after a successful appeal.
244. *How do eligible applicants indicate their interest in a supplemental award?
Eligible applicants will receive an email notifying them that they are eligible to apply for a
supplemental award—the invitation will also be in the SVOG portal. Interested applicants may apply
for a supplemental award by responding to this invitation through the portal.
245. *How long do applicants have to apply for a supplemental award?
There will be a two-week window to apply for a supplemental award. Applicants who apply any time
in the initial two-week window will be considered for a supplemental award. Should additional
funding remain available after supplemental awards are granted to all eligible entities who applied in
the initial two-week window, the Administrator may open a subsequent award window.
246. *How are the supplemental award amounts determined?
Supplemental award amounts, as defined in statute, will be fifty percent of an applicant’s initial
award, not to exceed a combined total of $10 million in initial award and supplemental award for a
single entity. Groups of affiliated museums may not exceed $10 million in total funding as a group.
247. *Will all eligible applicants receive a supplemental award?
Should not enough funding be available to grant a supplemental award to all eligible applicants who
apply within the initial two-week window, SBA will give priority to applicants with the greatest
revenue loss in Q1 2021 relative to Q1 2019 (or their first quarter of earned revenue for those
businesses not in operation in Q1 2019).
248. *How does the appeal process affect an applicant’s supplemental award?
If an applicant’s appeal is granted and the applicant is eligible for a supplemental award, the
applicant will receive an email notifying them that they are eligible to apply for a supplemental
award.
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Definitions
1. Applicant User Guide
The document that serves as a tool for technical assistance by guiding applicants through the SVOG
application portal with step-by-step instructions, see www.sba.gov/svogrant.
2. *Attendance Fee or Charge
An attendance fee or charge is any payment required to attend a performing arts event, including
ticket charges, door fees, food and/or beverage minimums, or any similar cost associated with
gaining admission to a place of performance.
3. Booker
A booker is an individual (e.g., a talent buyer) who books bands or other performing artists for venues
and fields inquiries from performing artists and performing and their agents or representatives.
4. Box office manager
A box office manager is an individual who is responsible for overseeing the sale of all tickets or receipt
of admission fees and may include the task of ensuring the security of payments exchanged.
5. Control
SBA regards control as including both the strategic policy setting exercised by boards of directors or
similar organizational governance bodies and the day-to-day management and administration of
business operations as overseen by principals.
6. Cover charges
Front door entrance fees, food or beverage minimums, or other similar charges required to gain
admission to a venue, whether collected via ticket sales, addition to a tab, or direct payment.
7. Date of operation
In response to this application question, an entity should enter the date the entity began in business.
8. Defined audience space
The defined audience space is the distinct physical area in which the audience experiences the
performance for qualifying venues that host live performing arts events (not including museums and
movie theatres).
9. Defined performance space
A defined performance space is the distinct physical space reserved solely for the presentation of a
performance, such as drama, music, dance, comedy, or other live performing arts activity.
10. Disaster assistance
For purposes of the SVOG, if such assistance originated from funding provided under either the
Stafford Act (41 USC 5121 et seq.) or the CARES Act (Pub. L. No. 116-136), as amended, it would be
considered Federal disaster assistance (even if it was delivered by a Tribal, state, or local
government) and excluded from an eligible entity’s gross revenue. If the funding came from any other
source it would have to be included in gross revenue. In no event would assistance of this sort be
considered earned revenue.
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11. Eligible Entity
A live venue operator or promoter, theatrical producer, or live performing arts organization operator,
a relevant museum operator, a motion picture theatre operator or owner, or a talent representative
that meets the specific eligibility requirements of the SVOG.
12. Fixed audience seating (as a requirement for museums and movie theatre operators)
Fixed audience seating is seating permanently fixed to the floor or ground or which is so heavy or
cumbersome as to make removing it impractical, such as heavy bleachers. Where fixed audience
seating is required for a museum auditorium or movie theatre, a majority of the seating provided in
that space must meet the definition of fixed audience seating.
13. Fully operational
A business that is in operation, including seasonal employers that are “out of season.”
14. Full-time equivalent
For purposes of determining the number of full-time equivalent employees, any employee working
not fewer than 30 hours per week shall be considered a full-time employee; and any employee
working not fewer than 10 hours and fewer than 30 hours per week shall be counted as one-half of a
full-time employee.
15. Government-owned entity
Any eligible entity owned by a state or local government or any Tribally-owned relevant museum.
16. Lighting rig
A lighting rig is a structure that holds lights in place for illuminating a stage or other defined
performance space.
17. Majority owned
More than 50% of the ownership interests in an entity (regardless of its legal structure) are held by a
single individual or entity.
18. Mixing equipment
Mixing equipment is a sound mixer that mixes two or more audio signals together, provides one or
more output signals, allows adjustment of levels and enhancement of sound with equalization and
effects, and creates monitor feeds.
19. Motion picture theatre operator
An individual or entity that, as its principal business activity, owns or operates at least 1 place of
public accommodation for the purpose of motion picture exhibition for a fee.
20. Museum
A museum is a public, Tribal, or private nonprofit agency or institution organized on a permanent
basis for essentially educational, cultural heritage, or aesthetic purposes, that uses a professional
staff, owns, or uses tangible objects, cares for the tangible objects, and exhibits the tangible objects
to the public on a regular basis. This includes aquariums, arboretums, botanical gardens, art
museums, children’s museums, general museums, historic houses and sites, history museums,
nature centers, natural history and anthropology museums, planetariums, science and technology
centers, specialized museums, and zoological parks.
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21. Open
Being “open” includes operations such as maintaining facilities, paying employees, and/or planning
and preparing to eventually resume staging, producing, promoting, or booking clients for live
performing arts events, screening motion pictures, or presenting exhibitions.
22. Ordinary and necessary expenses
An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your trade or business. A necessary
expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your trade or business. An expense does not have to
be indispensable to be considered necessary.
23. Paid fairly
Being paid fairly means that event performers are paid in an amount based on a percentage of sales,
a guarantee (in writing or standard contract), or another mutually beneficial formal agreement.
Venues may also compensate performers by sharing an agreed upon portion of revenues received
through door fees along with drink or meal tickets that may fall below 1099 reporting requirements.
24. Performing arts organization operator
A performing arts organization operator is any entity (including a theatrical management business)
whose principal business activity is to create, produce, perform, and/or present live performances for
audiences in qualifying venues, including amphitheaters, concert halls, auditoriums, theatres, clubs,
festivals, and schools.
25. Principal
An officer, director, owner, partner, principal investigator, or other person within a participant with
management or supervisory responsibilities related to a covered transaction OR a consultant or other
person, whether or not employed by the participant or paid with Federal funds, who (1) Is in a
position to handle Federal funds; (2) Is in a position to influence or control the use of those funds; or,
(3) Occupies a technical or professional position capable of substantially influencing the
development or outcome of an activity required to perform the covered transaction.
26. Principal business activity
An entity's principal business activity is the line of business in which the entity has the greatest
combined amount of revenues, expenses, employees and work hours, assets, contracts, and other
business activity as compared to all its other lines of business.
27. Promoter
A promoter is an entity or individual that organizes live events by performing artists and carries out
tasks (other than as a vendor or service provider) such as renting a performance site, contracting with
artists or a production company for the performance, marketing events, and collecting gate receipts.
A promoter must have:
(1) a profit (net income or loss) interest in the live event’s presentation; and
(2) sole or joint rights to control the financial terms of the live event’s presentation, use of the
venue, and/or marketing of the event. Promoters may own and/or operate live venues or
contract for space and may include festival promoters or the promotion of live performing
arts events at outdoor, festival spaces that have all the required characteristics of a qualifying
venue.
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28. Public address system
A public address system is an electronic system with at least one microphone, amplifier, and
loudspeaker which increases the volume of a human voice, musical instrument, or other acoustic
sound source or recorded sound or music.
29. Regular programming
Programming provided an average of at least four times per month in a qualifying theatre, lecture
hall, or similar venue.
30. *Reconsideration
An SBA process for the SVOG program through which applicants who received less than the funding
sought may request SBA to reexamine their award amount.
31. Revenue
a. Earned revenue or gross earned revenue
The total of earned revenue from various sales of goods or services, such as admission
tickets, merchandise, food and beverages, advertising sales and contracted presentation
income. Earned revenue does not include other sources of funds that an organization may
receive, such as donations, governmental assistance, or returns on investments.
b. Gross revenue
Gross revenue is functionally equivalent to ‘receipts,’ which the SBA has defined under 13
C.F.R. § 121.104 as meaning “all revenue in whatever form received or accrued from whatever
source.” This will include contributions, donations, and grants from any and all sources
(excluding any disaster assistance funding).
32. Seasonal entity or employer
An entity that does not operate for more than 7 months in any calendar year; or during the preceding
calendar year, had gross receipts for any 6 months of that year that were not more than 33.33% of the
gross receipts of the employer for the other 6 months of that year. (Section 7(a)(36)(A)(xiii) of the
Small Business Act, 15 USC 636(a)(36)(A)(xiii))
33. Security personnel
Security personnel are individuals hired for a live event to provide protection and aid for attendees,
performers, and venue employees. Duties of security personnel may include monitoring the event,
maintaining order, escorting attendees out of events, and suppressing disturbances.
34. Sound engineer
A sound engineer is an individual who helps to produce a live performance by managing or
enhancing source levels of sound, including by equalization and audio effects, mixing, reproduction,
and reinforcement of sound.
35. Stage manager
A stage manager is an individual who supervises the performance space and physical aspects of a
production and oversees the performance space while a production is in progress.
36. Subsidiary business
A subsidiary is an entity that is either wholly or majority-owned and controlled by another entity.
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37. Talent representative
A talent representative is an agent or manager for whom no less than 70% of their business
operations (as measured with reference to their overall revenues, costs, devotion of time, contracts,
and other indicia of business activity) involves the representation or management of two or more
artists or entertainers. These operations must involve booking or representing musicians, comedians,
actors, or similar performing artists primarily at live events staged in venues or at festivals in
exchange for compensation founded on the number of tickets sold or a similar basis (including flat
fee guarantees).
38. Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is an eligible individual or entity (including the entity that employs the
performers in a theatrical production) which has the responsibility for creating, producing, or
operating live theatrical productions and that have either a non-passive profit (net income or loss)
interest in a theatrical production (other than as a vendor or service provider) or sole or joint rights to
control a theatrical production. Theatrical producers are responsible for functions such as
negotiating debt or equity financing with lenders or investors, financial and tax reporting, and closing
the production. The term “theatrical producer” does not include individuals or entities that provide
financial support for a theatrical production without either a non-passive profit (net income or loss)
interest or the control described above.
39. Worker protection expenditures
An operating or capital expenditure which helps an entity adapt its business activities to comply with
guidance or requirements issued by a Federal, state, or local health authority related to the
maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety
requirement related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such expenditures must be incurred between March
1, 2020, and the date on which the COVID-19 national emergency declared by the President expires.
Worker protection expenditures may include the purchase, maintenance, or renovation of items such
as a drive-through window facility; a ventilation or air filtration system; a physical barrier such as a
sneeze guard; an expansion of additional indoor, outdoor, or combined business space; an onsite or
offsite health screening capability; and personal protective equipment.
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