By Staff Reports
(LĪHU‘E) – The County of Kaua‘i’s Office of Economic Development (OED) will begin accepting applications for its Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The intent of the grant program is to provide funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations on Kaua‘i that experienced an economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible nonprofit organizations can receive grants of up to $15,000.
Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 5 through the Amplifund Grant Application System. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 28, at 4:30 p.m.
OED’s Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) with funds that have been allocated to the County of Kaua‘i for COVID-19 response, relief, and reinvestment. Grant funds can be used for working capital to cover the day-to-day operating expenses of the nonprofit, such as rent/lease payments, mortgage payments, payroll and benefit costs, and utility expenses not already covered by other grant funding.
“We value the work of our nonprofit partners who continue to serve all parts of our community in a multitude of ways,” said Nalani Brun, OED Director. “We are proud to support these organizations who are still struggling to recover through the pandemic.”
OED officials will host a live informational webinar on the Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. The webinar will include an overview of the grant program, information
about the application process, and a question-and-answer session. To register for the webinar, visit the Kaua‘i Forward website at
www.kauaiforward.com/non-profit-recovery-grant. A recording of the webinar will also be posted on the Kaua‘i Forward website after the meeting.
In accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) guidelines, the County of Kaua‘i will ensure an equity-centered approach to distributing ARPA funds.
“The County of Kaua‘i has committed to supporting an economic recovery plan that addresses long-standing issues of equity, and we continue to advocate for fair treatment of all individuals,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “This grant program is another opportunity to put our words into action, ensuring that an equitable process is implemented and will be perpetuated through our grantees and their important work in our community.”
The Biden Administration defines equity as “the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.”
The U.S. Treasury advises jurisdictions to develop an equity strategy, use ARPA funds to prioritize economic and racial equity as a goal, name specific targets intended to produce meaningful equity results at scale, and articulate the strategies to achieve those targets. As part of the application process for the Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program, applicants will be asked to reflect on the intention of their work and who they are supporting, and to identify how they can incorporate more equitable processes within their organization. Additionally, data will be collected to gain a broader sense of who is involved in the work of the nonprofit organizations and who is impacted by those works.
For more information about the Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program and to view the complete Request for Proposals document, visit www.kauaiforward.com/non-profit-recovery-grant.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Therilyn Martin Haumea at (808) 241-4299 as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.