Ohio Provides $25 Million in Non-Profit Relief Grants – But the Deadline Is Tight
Published on by Patrick Frambes in Not-for-Profit
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has announced up to $25 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants to non-profit agencies that serve low-income Ohioans and have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Awards will be provided in a discretionary manner based on certain eligibility criteria, and the deadline is tight: Completed grant applications must be submitted by 5PM EST on Friday, November 27, 2020.
Eligibility
Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
- Provide direct services to low-income or at-risk Ohioans in industries outside of healthcare, education, recreation, and/or cultural activities
- Have reduced or stopped services due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Are reimbursing employers as defined by Ohio unemployment laws
- Have not already received or established their eligibility to receive additional Coronavirus Relief Fund assistance from the State of Ohio or other federal CARES Act grants
Act Fast – The Deadline is Tight
Applicants must disclose the amounts and use of any Coronavirus Relief Fund assistance received from local government and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans received and submit a completed grant application by 5 PM EST on Friday, November 27, 2020.
Grantees will be notified of their approval or denial by December 11, 2020, and grants will be distributed by December 21, 2020.
The potential grant amount would be calculated and awarded based on the unemployment charges incurred by the applicant (less any federal reimbursement for unemployment charges), using the following formula:
($25 Million ÷ Total unemployment charges incurred by each approved applicant after the crediting of any federal reimbursement for unemployment charges) x each approved applicant’s total charges less credits.
Use of Funds
Some permissible uses of the funding include:
Medical Expenses
- Costs of providing COVID-19 testing, including serological testing
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to address the current COVID-19 pandemic
Public Health and Related Measures
- Expenses for communication and enforcement by governments for public health orders related to COVID-19
- Expenses for disinfection of public areas and other facilities
- Expenses for public safety measures undertaken in response to COVID-19
- Expenses for quarantining individuals or conducting contact tracing
- Expenses to facilitate distance learning
- Food delivery to vulnerable populations to enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions
- Expenses for care of homeless populations provided to mitigate COVID-19 effects and enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions
Personnel
- Personnel expenses for employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to public health emergency are allowable
- Additionally, personnel diverted to a substantially different use due entirely to the COVID-19 public health emergency and are supporting the response to COVID-19 are allowable
Equipment
- Expenses to improve telework capabilities for public employees
- Equipment and lease costs if previously unbudgeted and consistent with other criteria
Economic Support
- Small business assistance related to required and/or voluntary closures and the expenditures related to providing these programs
- Increase workers compensation related to expanded coverage due to COVID-19
- Unemployment insurance costs
- Financial assistance to individuals and families directly impacted by a loss of income due to COVID-19 (could include payment of overdue rent/mortgage, unforeseen funeral costs, or other emergency individual needs)
These funds are prohibited to be used for revenue replacement, general business interruption or expenses reimbursed under any other federal program. Additionally, the funds may only cover costs incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
How to Apply
Complete the application on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website.
A sample copy of the grant agreement can be found here: https://odjfs2.secure.force.com/OWDApplicationPortal
Talk to a Pro
Have questions about the grant application or need help navigating the way ahead for your non-profit organization? The dedicated team of non-profit professionals at Barnes Dennig is here to help. Contact us – we’re here to help.
