Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund & Utility Disruption Prevention

Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund Announced

Volunteer Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced today the launch of the Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund, an extension of the Iowa Small Business Relief Grant Program.

The program will provide short-term relief to nonprofit organizations that have seen reduced revenue and/or increased costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible nonprofits may be awarded a grant of up to $25,000, based on income, expenses, outstanding obligations and other state and federal assistance received. The program has $10 million available, which was allocated through federal CARES Act funds.

Initially eligible nonprofits must be a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(19), be based in Iowa and have:

• Experienced a documented, involuntary loss of revenue and/or increase in expenses that occurred after March 1, 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Annual operating budget of more than $25,000
• Twenty-five or fewer full-time equivalent employees
• A primary mission to serve the program’s priority service populations

For more information on eligibility and assistance or to apply, visit iowabusinessrecovery.com.

Applications will be reviewed in the order received and awarded on a first come, first ready to process basis. Applications will be accepted until August 14 at 5 pm or until funds have been exhausted.

Questions regarding the Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund can be addressed by calling 515.348.8897 (toll free: 855.854.2440).

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Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention

ASSISTANCE FOR IOWA SMALL BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS

Governor Reynolds has allocated federal CARES Act funds to assist small businesses and nonprofits economically impacted by COVID-19. The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term relief to eligible small businesses and nonprofits that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided during the months of disruption to their business.

AVAILABLE UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE

• Electric and natural gas utility bill assistance for actual utility debt incurred for electric or natural gas service provided between March 17, 2020, and June 30, 2020, not to exceed $7,500. 
• Financial assistance can only be applied to the applicants’ utility bills.  The applicants’ utility service provider will receive a credit, which will be applied to the applicants’ utility debt. 
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis beginning July 17, 2020, and assistance will be provided to eligible applicants on a first come, first ready to proceed basis until all funds have been exhausted or August 21, 2020, whichever comes first.

ELIGIBILITY

• Iowa-based for profit and nonprofit businesses with 50 or fewer employees
  • Must have a physical location (non-residential) in Iowa
  • Must be registered with the Iowa Secretary of State to do business in the State of Iowa (or with the County Recorder for sole proprietors)

 

• Must not be an ineligible business type:
  • Adult Entertainment; Construction, Internet Sales, without corresponding storefront; Medical; Private Clubs, Professional Services; Professional Sports; Religious Institutions, with the exception of those offering social services including daycare, food bank, preschool, shelter, etc.

 

• Have not received funds provided by the State of Iowa's Small Business Relief Grant (SBRG) funding
• Have not received any funds provided by the State of Iowa's Nonprofit Recovery Fund
• Must have experienced a COVID-19 loss of revenue on or after March 17, 2020, that resulted in unpaid bills for electric or natural gas utility service provided between March 17, 2020, and June 30, 2020
• Applicants' average monthly electric usage must not exceed 25,000 kWh for electricity or 2,500 therms for natural gas (review with your utility bill and/or contact your utility provider to confirm)
• Businesses must be open

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Applicant to complete a payroll template [.XLS] with employee information as of March 1, 2020

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to complete the pre-application screening below. Upon successful completion of this screening checklist, the applicant will be provided with the link to the full application. By clicking below, you confirm you have read the eligibility guidelines and FAQ documentation.

Learn More

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