AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT GRANTS
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022
The Charles County Charitable Trust is pleased to announce the availability of $500,000 for nonprofit organizations serving Charles County. The funds are provided by the County through the American Rescue Act (ARPA) that was passed by Congress last year.
The purpose of the funds is to provide grants to Nonprofits to respond to COVID-19 or the negative economic impact of the pandemic, covering a broad range of services and/or to respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 emergency by providing premium pay, training and/or work incentives to eligible workers.
Eligible uses of awarded funds may include reimbursable expenses for the period March 3, 2021 through February 28, 2023, as long as those expenses have not already been supported by COVID relief or other funding. The one exception is for Premium Pay for nonprofit front line employees, which is retroactive to March 1, 2020. Funds must be expended no later than February 28, 2023.
Grant Orientation Workshop: January 6, 2022
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022
Notification of Awards: February 28, 2022
Grant Period: March 3, 2021– February 28, 2023 except for Premium Pay, which is retroactive to March 1, 2020.
Grant Amount: The maximum grant amount is $50,000
Grant Orientation Workshop - Thursday, January 6, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
If you missed our workshop or would like to view it again, click the button below to view the recording.
**Since this recording the Treasury Department has added additional services to it’s list of eligible uses. Please note additional categories under Category B**
Eligibility
- Must have IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization no later than February 1, 2021.
- Must have been in operation continuously since February 1, 2021
- Must be in good standing with the state of Maryland.
Criteria for Use of Funds
Grants are available to respond to COVID-19 or the negative economic impact of the pandemic. Organizations may request funding from Category A and/or Category B. The criteria for use of this fund in each of the two categories include:
- Category A: Net Revenue Loss during the period March 3, 2021 to January 31, 2023 that was or will not be covered by other revenue sources.
- Category B: Expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic between March 1, 2021- February 28, 2023. While the list of eligible services the Treasury Department has identified is not exhaustive, it added additional services to the list of eligible uses. The final rule underscore that the intent of these funds is to serve populations and groups that were/are impacted or disproportionately impacted by the pandemic
PREMIUM PAY only may be reimbursed retroactively to March 1, 2020.
All other expenses may be reimbursed retroactively from March 3, 2021 and forward to February 28, 2023. A broad range of expenses and services are covered in this category including:
- Covid-19 Mitigation & Prevention
- Assistance to Households
- Educational Disparities Exacerbated by COVID-19
- Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Disorder Services
- Organizational Workforce Assistance for Nonprofits
- Assistance to Unemployed Workers
- Technical Assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with nonprofit organizational planning
Refer to the Application Instructions tab for more detailed information.
Evaluation Criteria
Each application is reviewed for completeness by staff and is evaluated, starting with a panel of the Board of Directors and culminating in a detailed discussion by the full Charitable Trust Board of Directors. Key factors include:
- For Category A: Evidence of revenue loss caused by the pandemic
- For Category B: for pandemic-related expenses and services: Clear explanation of need and purpose
- Preponderance of need in the county to the extent that need can be determined
- Goals, objectives, and outcomes are clearly defined and achievable, given available financial and staff resources
- Potential impact program(s) will have on the quality of lives of underserved populations, such as those living in poverty or from low-income households, those experiencing hardship because of unemployment during the pandemic and individuals with disabilities
- Potential impact on the quality of life for residents of Charles County at large, such as arts and culture, the environment and education
- The extent to which partnerships are formed with other organizations to better target services, improve programs and reduce costs
Questions? Contact Christie Burnett at cburnett@charlesnonprofits.org