The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is announcing $35 million of funding from Alaska’s share of the Federal CARES Act will be used to offer grants to nonprofits and faith-based organizations that provide critical services to Alaskans. The new Coronavirus Nonprofit Relief Fund program will be conducted through a partnership with The Alaska Community Foundation which will administer the program, process applications, and distribute grant funds to eligible organizations.
DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum: “This partnership allows crucial support funds to be shared with Alaska’s nonprofit entities, meeting the Governor’s goal of getting funds as close as possible to the communities and groups that need them. We’re thankful for all the entities that have continued to provide services to Alaskans in need, and we hope this funding support will enable them to continue to do so.”
The funding will enable nonprofits to continue providing essential services that prevent or alleviate negative impacts of COVID-19 on the economy, jobs, families, and children. Applicants can receive CARES Act funding for a variety of expenses including: medical, public health, payroll, COVID-19 response compliance, economic support, or other costs necessary for the function of nonprofit agencies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CARES Act requires that payments may only be used to cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency between March 1 and December 30 and were not accounted for in the State of Alaska’s budget most recently approved as of March 27.
Grants will be prioritized based on the community impact and the organization’s ability to carry out public health projects and will not be limited based on an organization’s size, type of staff, or geographical location. Grant awards will range in size from $25,000 to $1 million through three rounds of funding. The grant term is July 1 through December 31.
Nonprofits and faith-based organizations can find more information, including eligibility criteria, and apply for a grant by contacting ACF at (907) 334-6700 or visiting them online.
