MontcoStrong Non-Profit Resiliency & restoration Grant Program

Awardees

October 28, 2020 - MontcoStrong Non-Profit Resiliency and Restoration Grant Program awardees 

The application window for the program has closed as of 3 p.m. October 6, 2020

Introduction

To provide 501(c)(3) entities with financial support so they remain resilient as employers and stakeholders in our communities due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic and to ensure 501(c)(3)s are able to be active participants in the restoration of the wellbeing and the livelihood of our residents, communities, and County, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners is making available resources for the MontcoStrong Non-Profit Resiliency and Restoration Grant Program.

Up to $5,000,000 in Federal CARES Act monies allocated to Montgomery County are being made available for this program. The program is a collaborative effort between the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, the Montgomery County Commerce Department, and the Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County.  The application window opened at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 and closed at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to apply, a 501(c)(3) entity must meeting the following criteria:

Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)(3) entity, approved by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and meet the following criteria: 

  • Meet at least one of the following –

    • Have at least one physical location where services are provided from in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and where services are available to Montgomery County residents/communities; 

    • The organization’s scope of service is comprised of at least 50% Montgomery County residents/communities.  Scope of service may be the percentage of individuals served and/or the geographic service area of the organization; and/or,

    • The organization’s scope of service includes Montgomery County and at least 50% of its current employees are residents of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as of the date of application.

  • The organization’s mission falls into at least one of the following categories –

    • Food, Health, and/or Housing Insecurity Services;

    • Childcare/Educational Services;

    • Mental Health and Wellness Services;

    • Elder and/or Vulnerable Population Services;

    • Environmental Stewardship; and/or, 

    • Community, Economic, and/or Workforce Development Services.

  • Have been in operation for a period of time such that the organization filed at minimum a 2019 Form 990 and is still in operation as of the date of application.

  • Revenues (Line 12 of Form 990) do not exceed $15,000,000 on the most recently filed Form 990 (2018, 2019, or 2020 Form 990 will only be accepted).

  • Employed and paying no more than 75 full and part-time employees total as of September 1, 2020.

  • Entity must be acting in accordance with its by-laws, mission, and with all legal requirements as a 501(c)(3) entity.

Additional eligibility criteria and information:

  • Subcontractors and/or 1099 employees should not be included in the employee count.

  • Nonprofits that are in active default (not on a payment plan) with taxes or fees owed to local, county, state, and/ or the federal government may not apply. 

  • Religious Institutions that do not have a program focus of at least 25% of total revenues supporting food security, housing security, childcare, or rapid reemployment services may not apply.

  • Nonprofits engaged in any activity that is illegal under Federal, state, or local law may not apply.

Grant Awards and Eligible Costs

Grant awards are as follows for eligible applicants:

  • Eligible applicants with not more than $15,000,000 in gross revenue as reported on Line 12 of their most recently signed and filed Form 990 and meeting all of the eligibility criteria may apply for a grant.  Grant awards will be up to $40,000 as determined by the application review process and the explanation of need and support services being provided residents and/or communities in Montgomery County as a consequence of the COVID-19 global pandemic.  Submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding; determination of funding will be based upon the recommendations of a review team and the ratification of recommendations by the Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County as the program administrator.

Eligible grant costs are as follows:

  • Accounts payable including utilities, vendors, suppliers, and other eligible non-payroll expenses paid or to be paid between June 1, 2020 through December 1, 2020.  This includes payments to insurance providers such as health insurance for employees.

  • Rent/mortgage payments on the 501(c)(3)s primary offices/facility in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania paid or to be paid between June 1, 2020 through December 1, 2020.

  • PPE or other justifiable equipment necessary to operate safely due to the COVID-19 global pandemic purchase or to be purchased between June 1, 2020 through December 1, 2020.

Grant awards cannot be used for the following costs:

  • Payroll expenses/employee pay; this includes payments to 1099 employees and/or those identified as subcontractors.

  • The payment of any obligations to the federal, state, and/or local governments.

  • To finance an organization, project, activity, and/or location primarily located outside the geographic boundaries of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

  • The repayment of any debts to private credits or lenders (ex. bank loans or lines of credit).

  • Any political and/or lobbying activity.

  • Any COVID-19 related expenses already paid for with other relief measures such as state grants or loans, US SBA Paycheck Protection Loans, local or regional grant and/or loan programs.

  • Any activities not otherwise specified as allowable costs per the grant agreement.

Application Process

To prepare to apply, please read the program guidelines and the current program FAQ for the most up-to-date information.

Please Note:  While applying through the online application, during the document upload section you will utilize the same process as the MontcoStrong Small Business Grant Program and may see references to that program on the document upload web portal.  Please follow the on screen instructions to upload the required documentation.

The online application was available from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

Additional Program Information & Documentation

Please note the following before applying:

  • Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.

  • All funding decisions are final and cannot be appealed; feedback on a specific application will not be provided at any point in the process or after all grants have been awarded.

Program Guidelines

Program FAQ

W-9 Form

Program Questions

Questions about the program can be submitted using the Commerce Department’s Assistance Request Form. Before submitting any questions, please review the Program Guidelines and Program FAQ  thoroughly. All questions must be submitted in writing using the above described method.

COVID-19 Information

Businesses, residents, and organizations in need support and guidance of can find additional resources and information as follows: