Small Business Resources

Accion San Diego strives to offer the best resources to our clients by working with various community partner organizations.  Below is a list of organizations that offer helpful business resources.

Credit/Financial Assistance

ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions

ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions is a national nonprofit credit counseling agency that offers free one-on-one counseling - face-to-face, by phone and via the internet. Founded in 1972 with the mission of providing Consumer Health Through Financial Education, we serve those in need of budgeting and housing counseling. Call us at (877) 877-1995

Consumer Credit Counseling Service
Consumer Credit Counseling Service was established in 1974 by a local community team to help people learn to manage their debt problems and to offer a simple, effective alternative to bankruptcy. They have over 40 locations in California and do not charge for counseling or room education services. (866) 889-9347.

Springboard
Springboard is a non-profit consumer credit management organization formed in 1974 by local business leaders and credit grantors. Their mission is to offer education on the wise use of credit and to serve as an alternative to bankruptcy. They also offer free one-on-one credit counseling.  (877) 947-3752.

General Business Support Services

Business Improvement District Council
The Business Improvement District Council (BID Council) is an association of San Diego's Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) whose mission is to assist in the development and dissemination of information, resources, and expertise to its member BIDs, and to improve the physical, social, and economic environments of San Diego's small businesses. (619) 239-2437.

California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity

CAMEO is a statewide organization for micro-enterprise development agencies and individuals that provide entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, financial and other support services to low-income individuals. CAMEO supports these organizations by pursuing public policy reform through alliance development and collaboration, by conducting research on the field and by helping practitioner organizations build their capacity to better meet customer needs.

The City of San Diego Business Resource Center

An online index of all the small business resoueces offered by the City of San Diego.

Connectory.com Network

The Connectory.com Network is a regional buyer-supplier network. Since companies located in low-income areas are often small and do not typically possess an internet presence, a Connectory.com profile provides them, at no cost, with a detailed company brochure in a proven, focused database. Connectory.com focuses on six key areas: manufacturing, technology, industrial suppliers/ wholesalers, technical services, construction & trades, and raw materials. Visit the Connectory to see if your company is eligible for a free online brochure.

Federal Trade Commission
The FTC's creative, practical, plain-language business education campaigns are a cost-effective and business-friendly way to obtain compliance with the law. To leverage expertise and limited resources, the FTC partners with industry and trade associations when appropriate.

Food & Beverage Association of San Diego

The mission of the Food & Beverage Association is to provide innovative services, resources, and representation designed for the success of its members. They also provide training and networking for those in the food and beverage industry.

The MAAC Project
The mission of the MAAC Project is to promote self-sufficiency for low and moderate income families and communities of Southern California through advocacy for, and delivery of, social, educational, housing and employment services. (619) 426-3595.

San Diego Center for International Trade Center
The SBDITC’s services include counseling, seminars and training, information and referral resources, import/export assistance, procurement assistance and other business resources. These services are available to all business owners at no cost to help meet their goals in a global market. (619) 482-6391.

The San Diego Contracting Opportunity Center (SDCOC)
A program of Southwestern College/Foundation funded by local government agencies and the Department of Defense. Their mission is to provide technical assistance to San Diego Small Businesses that want to do business with federal, state and local government agencies.  Services are provided at no cost to small businesses due to the generosity of local sponsors. (619) 285-7020

San Diego Regional Enterprise Zones

The San Diego Regional Enterprise Zone is a designated area within these cities where businesses receive substantial tax breaks and other incentives. Because San Diego's economy is regional in nature, collaborating with other local cities and the state to expand business incentives increases San Diego County's ability to compete with other regions, create new jobs and increase investment in our region.

SDG&E Business Resources

Resources and Information about energy efficiency programs and workshops that may help you reduce your energy bills.

Small Business Loan Programs in San Diego!

There are a variety of other small business loan programs in San Diego. This document outlines a few of the major ones.

Small Business Training Programs

SCORE
SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business is a nonprofit association dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with free, confidential, face-to-face and email business counseling. Business counseling and workshops are offered at 389 chapter offices across the country. (619) 557-7272.

Legal Assistance

University of San Diego Legal Clinic

USD Legal Clinic offers FREE legal assistance to low-to-moderate income individuals in the areas of taxes, small claims, entrepreneurship, immigration, special education, mental health and environmental and civil issues. (619) 260-7470.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law Small Business Law Center

The Small Business Law Center (SBLC) supports small businesses and non-profits. Under the direct supervision of California Licensed attorneys, law students certified to practice provide legal assistance to community entrepreneurs, small business, and non-profits that do not have the means to hire an attorney to advise them. (619) 961-4382, Email: sblc@tjsl.edu, Click for application.

Refugee Support Services

Alliance for African Assistance

Alliance for African Assistance offers free translation services in 42 languages and various business trainings and workshops for refugees. 619-286-9052.

International Rescue Committee

The IRC offers various services for refugees focusing on employment, micro-enterprise, immigration, resettlement, language training, childcare and education. (619) 641-7510.

Foundation for Women

The Foundation for Women (FFW) serves impoverished women locally and globally by funding and creating microcredit programs. Their microcredit program in San Diego offers women small loans ranging from $200 to $1,000.  (858) 483-0400