Local non-profit organizations in the community still have time to submit grant proposals to a Duke Energy program poised to give $500,000 to help downtown communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hometown Revitalization Grant program (click the link for details) is designed to award non-profit/small business partnerships in 20 communities in North Carolina grants of $25,000 that can be used to help small businesses pivot and continue to succeed as changes to “business-as-usual” practices have been implemented because of pandemic restrictions.
Applications are due May 31; funding decisions will be made in July and announced in August.
Whether modifying physical spaces, improving e-commerce site for online sales or purchasing specific items to comply with public health measures, the grants will be administered by the non-profit agency in the form of a small business support microgrant program, according to information from Tanya Evans, district manager for Duke’s local government and community relations. The microgrants will range from $500 to $2,500. The non-profit may use up to $2,500 of the $25,000 for administering the microgrants.
The small business support awards also may be used to reimburse small businesses for expenses already incurred. The programs must be started by Sept. 30, 2021 and the award recipients must announce the recipients by Nov. 30.
Churches and governmental agencies may not apply for the grant, neither fraternal nor lobbying groups, according to the website. Please visit Hometown Revitalization Grant program for details about the program and submitting a proposal.
(Duke Energy-Progress is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)
