Nonprofits, Faith-Based Groups Encouraged to Apply for American Rescue Plan Act Funds
Advisory: Nonprofits, Faith-Based Groups Encouraged to Apply for American Rescue Plan Act Funds
Nonprofits and faith-based organizations serving Loudoun County residents are encouraged to apply for financial assistance available through the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This funding will support organizations that are working to mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors recently approved a spending plan for the county’s ARPA funding. This plan includes a variety of programs to help the county recover from the effects of the pandemic, including support for the business community, the tourism industry, the county’s ongoing vaccination efforts, telehealth and broadband services. In addition, the plan includes an allocation of $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations that are assisting the community with COVID-19 response and recovery.
The application process is open to all nonprofits and faith-based organizations serving Loudoun County residents. These funds will be available to organizations that meet the following criteria:
• Are in good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
• Provide proof of 501(c)3 status.
• Provide the last three years of U.S. Internal Revenue Service 990 forms and other financial documentation.
• Can demonstrate their services continue to be affected by COVID-19.
Priority will be given to those organizations that continue to experience and demonstrate COVID-19-related changes in services that provide direct, life-sustaining assistance, with a focus toward recovery and sustainability. Those priority areas include rental assistance to those not eligible under the state’s Rental Relief Program, utility assistance, food assistance and health and wellness support.
Consistent with Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, the county will be accepting applications under these programs:
• Emergency Food Assistance – Organizations may request funding for the purchase of food and food delivery expenses. Each applicant must demonstrate a continued need for funding, such as year-over-year increases in the number of clients, to be considered for ARPA funding.
• COVID-19 Service Expansion – This program will provide funds to organizations that demonstrate they have significantly expanded their services due to COVID-19. Each applicant must demonstrate that their expansion for COVID-19 services will continue into the next fiscal year. New applicants must demonstrate how they expanded services due to COVID-19, while previous applicants that have expanded services and require further expansion must demonstrate the need for further expansion.
• Service Interruption – This program will provide funds to organizations that can demonstrate they have had to interrupt their service provision due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants must demonstrate how their services remain negatively affected and can provide a plan which uses ARPA funds to support adaptations to service-model delivery, ultimately lessoning the need for continued federal assistance.
• Nonprofit Service Continuity: This program provides funds to organizations that can demonstrate that their level of services and residents served have been maintained at a consistent, stable level but have had unexpected costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New applicants must demonstrate that their services have expanded due to COVID-19 and are now maintaining pandemic-level services or have maintained their service level throughout the pandemic but can demonstrate additional new costs for adaptations or service delivery changes.
Organizations must describe their long-term recovery plan, including steps taken to promote long-term stability as well as innovations and adaptations made in response to the pandemic and plans to enhance future service delivery.
The deadline to apply is 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Applications will be reviewed, and funding will be provided on a rolling basis.