Nevada City, Calif. May 13, 2020 – The Nevada County Relief Fund seeks grant applications from “safety-net” nonprofits in western Nevada County providing a life-line to our neighbors most in need, and small businesses throughout the County hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonprofit “Safety-net” Grants Range from $5,000 – $20,000
The Relief Fund seeks applications from nonprofits focused on the rapid deployment of services for seniors, people who are homeless, people with disabilities, youth who are at-risk, families or individuals struggling to find access to food, shelter, childcare, and other critical needs. Together with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, which serves eastern Nevada County, these efforts boost nonprofit capacity and strengthen the “safety-net” for the region’s most vulnerable citizens.
“Not only will the Relief Fund help address many of the basic needs we’re seeing, but it can also mitigate some of the mental-health impacts of COVID-19 including social isolation, increased depression, and possible increases in family violence,” said Nevada County Behavioral Health Director Phebe Bell, who chairs one of the grants making teams.
Small Business “Micro-Grants” up to $5,000 Per Applicant Available
The Relief Fund will also award micro-grants for small business owners and nonprofits countywide struggling to survive until they can reopen or resume normal operation. These grants will be managed by the Sierra Business Council, who will also provide awardees with one-on-one business counseling through its Small Business Development Center.
“From the hundreds of entrepreneurs our Small Business Development Center has talked with, most of them just need some cash to help restock inventory, hire back employees and catch up on bills. We hope this grant can help take a bit of stress and pressure off an owner’s mind so they can focus on getting back to business,” said Kristin York, Vice President of the Sierra Business Council.
The first $200,000 raised will be split approximately 50/50 between the two funds, with half going to “safety-net” nonprofits in western Nevada County, and half going to small businesses countywide. Additional grant cycles will occur every time the Relief Fund raises another $100,000.
About the Nevada County Relief Fund
The Nevada County Relief Fund was created through a partnership between the County of Nevada, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation (SNMH Foundation), Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), and the Sierra Business Council (SBC) in consultation with the Center for Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) and the Economic Resource Council (ERC). In conjunction with TTCF’s Emergency Response Fund, the purpose of this effort is to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis by directing vital resources to our most vulnerable neighbors, and support our small, rural businesses.
For more information, please visit, www.nevcorelief.org