MANATEE COUNTY – Applications are reopening for local nonprofit managers, small business owners and residents financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to request CARES Act funding through the county.
CARES Act funding applications for nonprofits open Oct. 19 with Recover Manatee Safety First Small Business Grant Program applications opening Oct. 21 and Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program applications opening Oct. 28.
The nonprofit funding is only available to expand an existing program for food distribution, including holiday meals, to assist people in recovering from the pandemic. Only food distribution related expenditures are being considered for this round of funding.
A $5,000 grant for the purchase of personal protective equipment and other items needed to reopen safely is also open to applications for nonprofits. Nonprofits that previously received funding through this grant are invited to apply again.
The Recover Manatee Safety First Small Business Grant Program is in its third round and offers up to $50,000 in funding for Manatee County small businesses employing up to 500 people. The funding includes a $5,000 to fund safe operations and up to $45,000 for reimbursement of documented COVID-19 related business losses. Applications are not open to those businesses who’ve already received CARES Act funding.
The Housing Assistance Program provides eligible Manatee County residents with rent and mortgage assistance up to $10,000. Anyone affected by the pandemic with a household income at or below 150% of the area’s median income, $80,400 for a single person or $114,750 for a four-person household, is eligible to apply for funding.
Out of the $70 million in federal CARES Act funding expected to be distributed by Manatee County leaders, more than $6 million has been distributed so far for community health and well-being programs with an additional $10 million given to economic recovery programs, including nonprofits, small businesses and in rental and mortgage assistance.
For more information, or to apply, visit the county’s website.
