The Bedford County Board of Supervisors launched the Bedford County Non-profit CARES Act Grant Program on August 27, 2020 to support non-profit organizations recovering from the comprehensive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to assist with their expenses in response to COVID.  The application can be accessed here.

Non-profit recovery grants up to $10,000 are available via online application for registered non-profit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations directly serving Bedford County citizens. Non-profit organizations must also be in good standing with the State Corporation Commission (SCC).

“The Board of Supervisors desires to assist our County citizens in need with CARES Act monies during these challenging times and believes that our non-profit community is one of the best ways to accomplish that,” stated Robert Hiss, County Administrator. “Bedford County’s non-profit organizations comprise a significant portion of the community safety net, so as they are experiencing high demands to meet citizen needs, it makes sense to help support their organizations impacted by the pandemic.”

The two-page application is simple to complete and is comprised of only a few questions along with a written summary of how the non-profit organization has been impacted by COVID-19. Expenses eligible for this program must have been incurred since March 1, 2020; some examples of eligible expenses are as follows: expenses to serve clients/participants to develop new programs in reaction to COVID; food insecurity expenses (food banks and providing meals); public health measures and supplies (providing masks, PPE, purchase of equipment such as plexiglass and other health measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus); and medical assistance (transportation, testing, screening, and education).  Other eligible costs may include reopening expenses, utilities, rent, marketing, vendor payments, new software, and other COVID-related expenses.  A W-9 and IRS tax exemption letter must be attached to the application.

Bedford County will administer this new program in cooperation with the Bedford Community Health Foundation. Forms are available on the Bedford County website here: https://www.bedfordcountyva.gov/departments/economic-development/non-profit-grant-guidelines. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2020.  The entirety of the program is funded at a level of $350,000 through a CARES Act award to Bedford County.

Contact: Denny Huff, Bedford Community Health Foundation: (540)586-5292 or caresnonprofit@bedfordcountyva.gov