Lehigh County’s COVID-19 Relief Nonprofit Block Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
Lehigh County, PA – Applications are now available for Lehigh County’s COVID-19 Relief Nonprofit Block Grant Program. In partnership with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV), and through funding made possible by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Lehigh County will be administering funding to all eligible nonprofit organizations that apply. Applications are open until September 30, 2022.
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of Lehigh County Administration, the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners and UWGLV. This committee will then make application recommendations to the County Executive who will bring the final recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners will consider each application for approval or denial.
“The funding from this program can benefit Lehigh County residents in so many ways, and I encourage all nonprofits who are eligible to apply to do so. The full and staggering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are becoming known, and it is thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan that we are able to lend a hand and make a personal difference for our residents as we all rebuild and recover,” said Lehigh County Executive Phillips M. Armstrong.
General Guidelines for Nonprofits:
Financial assistance is available in the form of grant funding to help eligible nonprofit organizations respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, providing services to Lehigh County residents that:
- Provide assistance for food access (grocery shopping resources, pantry resources or other meal delivery services).
- Reduce social isolation for all ages through virtual programming, resources to provide connectivity and equipment, and training to build skills.
- Provide assistance to bridge the digital divide in grades PreK-12 through training, connectivity and equipment.
- Provide resources to assist with added maintenance requirements brought on by COVID-19, such as additional PPE, sanitizing and disinfecting requirements in order to operate safely and in accordance with mandated guidelines.
- Provides assistance to create an environment that can be safely experienced by Lehigh County residents due to requirements brought on by COVID-19, i.e., social distancing, masks, etc.
- Provide resources to people experiencing homelessness or supporting housing and homeless prevention.
- Provide positive youth development, social emotional and mentoring services, support at home learning materials and virtual tutorials, purchase of curriculum for in person or online digital platforms with summer learning. These services can be provided either virtually or in person.
Funds can be used to cover operating costs.
“For over 100 years, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has invested in solutions that make life better for people in our community. Today, more than 50% of our neighbors are just one paycheck or one emergency away from hunger or homelessness, and this grant opportunity will provide support for more programs to ensure that community need is met,” said Carmen Bell, Director, Healthy Aging at UWGLV.
All nonprofits must:
- Report on the number served and how served, and the impact on the community.
- Identify the community need and how the service will mitigate that need.
- Provide non-aggregated data that clearly identifies the demographics of those served.
All grant expenditures must be directly related to COVID-19. Expenses can be charged from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. All COVID-19 grant funds MUST be spent by December 31, 2024.
The full application and a complete list of program guidelines can be found at unitedwayglv.org or on the Lehigh County website at lehighcounty.org.
