Mayor Jeremy Stutsman is inviting local nonprofits to apply for the City of Goshen’s American Rescue Plan Nonprofit Fund Grant. Applications are due March 15, 2022.
The federal government established a Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for local governments as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021. As a result, the City is receiving $6.6 million in ARP funds to respond to the public health emergency and impact to communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to make investments in infrastructure.
A plan was developed and approved by the City of Goshen on November 2, 2021. Of the total amount to be received, the majority of the funds ($5.1 million) was dedicated to infrastructure improvements; $700,000 have been allocated to work on homeless intervention services and substance abuse and behavioral health treatment—a collaboration with Oaklawn. The rest was pledged to a variety of programs to address community needs.
Of the total sum it received, the City has allocated $300,000 of ARP funds to nonprofit organizations serving the City. A copy of the grant application is available on the City website at www.goshenindiana.org/arp.
Mayor Stutsman has formed a review committee comprised of two City Council members, staff, and community representatives to award the grants.
“We are excited to give our local nonprofits a boost in funding to help further respond to addressing childcare for low-income residents, food insecurity, homelessness or health-related needs in our community,” he said.
Priority funding will be given to organizations who work in the areas outlined by mayor Stutsman. Submitted proposals must demonstrate one of the following:
• Their proposed use of funds relates to ARP public health services, negative economic impacts and services to impacted communities.
• It meets an urgent community need, especially food insecurity, homelessness or health-related needs
Awardees will receive the grant after July 2022, and will have until Dec. 31, 2024 to use the funds. For more information about the ARP Fund Plan or the grant program, go to www.goshenindiana.org/arp