Town of Simsbury Announces COVID-19 Relief Program for Eligible Non-Profit Organizations

At their meeting on August 8, 2022, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen announced the approval of the COVID-19 Relief 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Program. The application is officially open as of Tuesday, August 9, 2022.  This program will provide up to $10,000 for non-profit organizations to address a need or negative impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency.  To be eligible for funding, organizations must have a 501(c)(3) tax status and serve Simsbury residents.

“We have been working on this project since last year, where it started as an idea to help those most in need under our initial ARPA Workgroup made up of Selectman Askham, Selectman Battos and myself,” said First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis. “I am happy to see it come to fruition as Chair of our Finance Sub-committee, which has been focused on ARPA funding. Selectman Abbuhl, Selectman Goetz and I have collaborated to get this rolled out – with the support of Deputy Town Manager Melissa Appleby and Finance Director Amy Meriwether.”

In June 2022, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance both approved a supplemental appropriation of $150,000 to support this program, which is made possible through funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), also known as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

The purpose of the COVID-19 Relief 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Program is to provide funding to those programs that most closely address needs created by the pandemic and serve the greatest number of people. Applications will be evaluated by the Finance Sub-Committee of the Board of Selectmen, with final awards to be made by the Board of Selectmen.

The deadline to apply is Friday, September 16, 2022 at 1:00pm. Final determination on funding requests is tentatively anticipated for October 12, 2022.  To download the application, click here.