This week, the City of Winter Park will begin accepting applications for nonprofits to gain funding provided by the federal COVID-19 relief package. On July 1, applications will be available for qualifying Winter Park nonprofits that do not already receive funding through the City to receive up to $25,000 from the relief package.
Over the span of two years, the City will receive nearly $13 million of COVID-19 relief from the American Rescue Plan Act. While the majority will be spent on civil expenses, commissioners felt strongly that they should support the community’s nonprofit arts and services. They set aside $1.1 million to support local nonprofits, including the Winter Park Public Library, Mead Botanical Garden, and the Winter Park Playhouse.
During previous May meetings, commissioners expressed a desire to encourage and support additional nonprofits to provide benefit to the community. Since then, the City has set aside $200,000 and created a subcommittee to oversee the application process for nonprofit applicants seeking relief.
Nonprofits interested in applying must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in good standing
- Must be headquartered within the municipal boundaries of Winter Park
- Must have been in operation for at least three years
- Annual operating expenses cannot exceed $2 million
- Must have a board of directors responsible for oversight
- Must demonstrate a detrimental impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Must provide direct services to the Winter Park community
- Must be a service-providing nonprofit, not a funding institution
- Must sign a legal funding agreement with the City
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on July 30 for consideration.
See here for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act.