Hillsborough County, Florida (January 31, 2022) – Many Hillsborough County nonprofits have continued to serve the community since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing residents in need with essential safety net services based on the COVID-19 pandemic .

To ensure qualified nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic receive the support they need to continue serving local residents, Hillsborough County has partnered with Community Foundation Tampa Bay to initiate and administer a non-profit safety net program funded by the American Rescue Plan.

Accredited nonprofits can use the financial assistance awarded to offset lost revenue or cover unforeseen costs incurred as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no minimum income amount required to be considered for financial assistance under this program.

Nonprofits can submit applications starting Monday, January 31. Financial assistance will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding remains available. The funding is part of a financial assistance program and does not have to be repaid. However, nonprofit organizations will be required to keep records documenting how they have used the funds awarded. Full program guidelines and eligibility criteria, as well as the direct link to the online application portal, are available at cftambabay.org/safetynet. Nonprofits should complete their applications as soon as possible and before program funding runs out.

To be eligible, a non-profit agency must meet all of the criteria below:

• Physically located in Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace;
• Provide Hillsborough County residents impacted by COVID-19 with essential safety net services covering Housing Stability Services, Congregate Housing Security Services, Medical Services, Food Services, Personal Care Services elderly, adult education and training services, mental health services, and childcare and education services;
• Active, open and operating (in person or virtually);
• Registered as a 501(c)(3) for one full calendar year prior to applying for the award;
• Fully licensed as a nonprofit and up to date on tax payments/reporting to include a recently filed IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N no later than 2019 or a properly audited financial statement. independent of the most recent fiscal year;
• Directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in at least one in the following ways:
  • loss of revenue due to pandemic-related causes, for example due to closures, lost sponsorships, inability to hold fundraising events;
  • incurred unforeseen costs to comply with safety and health standards and/or reopening requirements, for example, modifying facilities for social distancing;
  • incurred unforeseen costs for new programs designed to help those disparately affected by the pandemic and its economic effects;
  • incurred unforeseen costs for technology enabling virtual work
• Must provide a narrative explaining the impact of COVID-19 on the nonprofit’s operations;
• Must attest to not using requested funds for the same costs for which previously received county CARES Act awards were used; and,
• Must not have received or been approved to receive County ARP funding through a separate initiative, project or program

Hillsborough County U.S. Bailout Investment Plan
The Hillsborough County U.S. Bailout Investment Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on September 1, 2021, provides a framework for investing the $285 million in federal fiscal stimulus funds in the County. state and local coronavirus in the community. The funding will support vital projects throughout the county related to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure; public health response; negative economic impacts; and revenue replacement for some government services. Hillsborough County-funded projects must adhere to guidelines established by the federal government while meeting the county’s unique community needs and reflecting the collective values ​​of the BOCC in meeting the needs of residents. The non-profit safety net program administered by Community Foundation Tampa Bay is one of the programs funded under this plan by the BOCC.

Tampa Bay Community Foundation
Founded in 1990, Community Foundation Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofit organizations, community and business leaders, professional counselors, volunteers, and residents to achieve maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay area. For more than 30 years, Community Foundation Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors to strengthen nonprofits and build a better, more vibrant community. Since its inception, its donors have enabled Community Foundation Tampa Bay to award more than $280 million in grants to nonprofits across the country.