Historic South Downtown To Fund Nonprofits And Small Businesses In Seattle
King County has provided funding to the Historic South Downtown Community Preservation & Development Authority (HSD), an agency created by the State of Washington to promote and preserve Seattle’s Pioneer Square and International District Neighborhoods. The HSD will issue grants to nonprofit organizations that provide programming and services, or that provide direct support to small businesses, in these neighborhoods.
The HSD will release up to $475,000 funds through approximately June 26, 2020 in order to stabilize the operations of local nonprofits and small businesses located in the Pioneer Square and International District Neighborhoods. The closing date for application is currently set for June 26, 2020. Tax-exempt organizations have been encouraged to complete application as soon as possible, and the HSD will review applications on a rolling basis, making funding decisions within three weeks of application.
The HSD will be granting up to $175,000 to nonprofit organizations providing programming and services, with each nonprofit organization able to apply for grants ranging between $5,000 and $35,000. Types of activities that might be supported with this funding include staffing to respond to client needs, covering loss of revenue from public events or ticket sales, and covering the unanticipated costs of remote access, cleaning supplies, or signage.
The HSD will also grant up to $300,000 to nonprofit organizations supporting small businesses, with each nonprofit able to apply for a grant ranging between $30,000 and $150,000. Successful applicants in this category must show how funding will reach the most number of small businesses in the targeted neighborhoods. Some examples of acceptable activities include outreach, technical assistance, and direct business support.
The nonprofit applicants must be located in the Pioneer Square or International District neighborhoods of Seattle. Moreover, applicants must be tax-exempt, and may not solely benefit one individual or have extremely limited community impact. The applicants may only apply to one of the two different categories of funding, and while partial funding maybe awarded, funding does not impact an applicant’s ability to apply for any other HSD funding program. All funding must be distributed with deliverables completed by December 31, 2020. Further information about this program can be found here: http://www.historicsouthdowntown.org/grants/request-for-proposals-en/.
County and community institutions represent yet another resource for small organizations in these difficult times. It is imperative that small organizations and businesses keep abreast of all available options as they develop. The attorneys at Beresford Booth will continue to provide updates and guidance during these changing circumstances.