The American Rescue Plan is helping Hillsborough County nonprofits by offering funds to organizations struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible nonprofits of all sizes can apply for funding if they meet federal criteria. They must provide essential services to be eligible. Essential services include food services, adult education services and training, safety services, medical services and eldercare. Nonprofits who provide mental health services and childcare services are also eligible.
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay is acting as the county’s agent to review applications. It will determine eligibility for the safety net funds. It has posted an online application to expedite the process. The website lists all eligibility requirements for the safety net funding.
The importance of nonprofits
“Our county commissioners and leadership realize nonprofits are the backbone of the community and the fact of the matter is they have to do a lot with a little,” said Rob Hendrickson. Hendrickson works with the county’s Budget Office and is the director of performance improvement.
“When the pandemic struck many nonprofits were threatened,” he said. “Back in 2020 we ran some programs with CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) funding, serving 189 nonprofits distributing $8 million, but for many, the need does not just disappear. They are providing essential services–congregate living, food, childcare. So, given all of that, the county is a recipient of American Rescue funding. We revisited our nonprofit needs, which led to the formation of this program.”
The county has set aside $5 million for nonprofits impacted by the pandemic. They must be within unincorporated Hillsborough County or in Tampa, Plant City or Temple Terrace, Hillsborough County’s three municipalities.
“We partnered with the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, which was one of our partners under the CARES Act,” Hendrickson said. “It is a wonderful, well-connected organization that has relationships with hundreds of nonprofits.” And the foundation did an excellent job last year of retaining the county’s trust. “We’re really hoping every last dollar of this money will get out quickly.”
How the American Rescue Plan helps nonprofits
One distinction this time around is that the CARES Act doesn’t require a minimum revenue level. With CARES Act funding, a nonprofit had to have a revenue stream of at least $100,000. That is not the case this time around, said Jesse Coraggio, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Community Impact for Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.
“We are excited about that,” to serve some of the county’s smaller nonprofits, he said.
The door for applications just opened Jan. 31 and as of Wednesday, 46 nonprofits had submitted applications.12 of which have revenue of less than $100,000, Coraggio said. His organization sent out 1,000 emails to nonprofits, as well as press releases to help get the word out.
Those organizations that have already applied “cover the gamut of organizations related to homelessness, physical care, mental health care, a wide gamut of organizations.”
Applying for funding
The deadline for applications is June 10. Coraggio said he expects the funds will already be depleted before that date. The county will distribute money on a first-come-first-served basis.
“We don’t have any separation of nonprofits, other than the eligibility based on services,” Coraggio said. “The funding is given out not based on a project, like a traditional grant, but based on the revenue level of the prior year.”
Level One funding is for nonprofits with revenue streams up to $49,999, eligible for $2,500. Level Two is for nonprofits with revenue streams of $50,000 to $99,999, eligible for $10,000 awards. Level Three nonprofits are those with revenue streams of $100,000- $499,999, eligible for $20,000. Nonprofits with revenues over $500,000 are Level Four and can receive $30,000.
Approved nonprofit agencies can use the funds to offset revenue losses or unplanned costs related to the pandemic. However, they cannot use the money for a category in which they applied for CARES Act money previously.
Organizations do not need to repay the money.
The Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 1, 2021, provides the framework for investing $285 million in the community, in addition to the nonprofit safety net. Hendrickson says it will support projects delayed because of the pandemic. These projects include broadband infrastructure, water and sewer projects, public health response and revenue replacement for some government services.