MI Nonprofit Relief Fund Supports Nonprofits Facing Hardships Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Michigan’s nonprofits who are struggling with the negative impacts and hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic can now take the first step to receive much-needed funding from the $35 million MI Nonprofit Relief Fund for serving their hard-hit communities.

In mid-February, the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO announced the launch of the “intent to apply” phase for the relief fund, which is focused on assisting small charitable nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits can fill out the intent to apply at MiNonprofitRelief.org. MNA membership is not required to apply.

The bipartisan relief program was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as part of FY23 budget and program funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Relief Funds awarded to the State of Michigan as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The relief fund, designed for small nonprofits, is part of a two-part grant program. An additional $15 million in grants will be available to larger nonprofits later this year.

“Michigan’s nonprofits uplift communities, create jobs, and make a real difference in people’s lives,” saidGov. Whitmer. “The Michigan Nonprofit Relief Fund will ensure eligible nonprofits have the resources they need to continue providing critical services that lift Michiganders out of poverty and support regions across our state. We are committed to building a brighter future for Michigan by removing barriers to economic prosperity and ensuring residents can thrive.”

MNA and LEO have partnered to design the grant program and select grantees as well as manage the application portal and award payments. To be eligible for this funding, organizations must be a Michigan-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a fiscally sponsored project by a 501(c)(3).

Check out the complete announcement here.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for this funding, organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or projects fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 and able to demonstrate necessary expenditures and/or losses due to the COVID-19 public health emergency incurred after March 3, 2021 including lost public service revenue, costs for responding to a public health emergency, providing assistance to households, payroll protection, and other economic impacts negatively affecting service delivery.

The following organizations are NOT eligible to apply for this program:

• For-profit entities
• Organizations that are 501(c)(4)s, 501(c)(6)s, or otherwise other than 501(c)(3)
• K-12 schools, including charter, public and private
• Higher Education Institutions
• Municipalities, municipal subdivisions, and other government agencies
• Hospitals
• Trade  associations
• Credit unions
• Insurance trusts
• Fraternal orders
• Religious Programming (faith-based nonprofits may request funding to support services that are not religious based programming and do not discriminate based on religion)

Questions & Support 

Learn more about the application process and check out a list of FAQs at https://www.mnaonline.org/services/nonprofit-relief-fund/overview.

Reach out to our nonprofit team at maner@manercpa.com with any questions regarding the MI Nonprofit Relief Fund. We’re here to help!