Governor Bullock recently announced the first round of emergency grants made available by the $1.25 billion provided to Montana in CARES Act. Altogether there are nine programs with a total of $123 million available for eligible applicants. A summary of the programs, awards, eligibility, and uses can be found below. To find more information and apply, starting May 7th, please goto: https://commerce.mt.gov/Coronavirus-Relief.
Emergency Grant Program Summaries
Business Stabilization Program ($50 million available)
- Maximum award: $10,000
- Eligibility: must be Montana-owned, employ 50 or less, have sustained a loss of revenue since Feb. 15 due to COVID 19, and be in good standing with the Secretary of State or local tribal government
- Uses: payroll, rent, accounts payable, debt service and expenses related to shifts in operations in order to retain existing businesses, retain current employees or retain business viability for future re-employment
Innovation Grant Program ($5 million available)
- Maximum award: $25,000
- Eligibility: non-profit and for-profit businesses of less than 150 employees that have created an innovative product or service intended to directly confront the COVID-19 emergency. Applicants must have primary operations based in Montana, be in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State and must not be debarred from receiving federal or state funds
- Uses: help companies scale up, improve capabilities, or drive expanded distribution of products or services developed in response to COVID-19. Projects should demonstrate significant impact in improving public health, safety, and economic impact
Food and Agriculture Adaptability Program ($500,000 available)
- Maximum award: $10,000
- Eligibility: food and agriculture businesses to help increase community resilience amid the COVID 19 pandemic and other economic disruptions
- Uses: projects include, but are not limited to, those focused on accessing new markets, projects which strengthen and expand local food systems, and other business adaptations that decrease food and agricultural waste. The need for such innovations must be driven by the COVID 19 pandemic
Emergency Housing Assistance Program ($50 million available)
- Assistance: provide rent, security deposit, mortgage payment, and/ or hazard insurance assistance as-needed for Montanans who have lost a job or substantial income loss as a result of COVID-19. Initial payments may include up to three months assistance where the eligible household can demonstrate arrears for April and May, with continual inability to make their June payment. Montana Housing will pay the difference between 30 percent of the household’s current gross monthly income and their eligible housing assistance costs, up to $2,000 a month
- Eligibility: Household income limits range from $75,000-$125,000 based on family size. Montanans receiving other forms of housing assistance are not eligible
Public Health Grants ($5 million available)
- Uses: available to local and tribal health departments and urban tribal clinics to help in the response to COVID-19 and to meet the needs of their communities. Each organization is eligible to apply for funding
Stay Connected Grants ($400,000)
- Awards: $500 – $2,000
- Eligibility: area agencies on aging, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and tribal elder services
- Uses: fund technologies and other efforts to encourage physically distant forms of social interaction for elderly Montanans during the COVID-19 public health emergency
Direct Cash Assistance to Food Bank and Food Pantry Assistance ($2 million available)
- Maximum award: $50,000, based on pre-COVID expenses compared to current expenses for providing food to those in need
- Eligibility: community organizations providing food assistance to Montanans with limited resources, food banks, food pantries, community cupboards, and entities with infrastructures already in place to begin new food distribution programs. Schools and childcare facilities are not eligible to apply for these funds
Social Services Nonprofit Grants ($10 million available)
- Maximum award: $10,000
- Eligibility: registered, Montana-based social service nonprofits that were operating prior to February 15, 2020
- Uses: to retain existing programs and services, employees, or organizational viability for provision of future services and operations
Telework Assistance Grants ($650,000)
- Maximum award: $1,000
- Eligibility: DPHHS will partner with a local non-profit organization to assess and support assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities during COVID-19
- Uses: purchasing equipment to assist Montanans with disabilities access telework equipment