Olmsted County Covid-19 Nonprofit Relief Grant Program

Grant Program Overview

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners announced on January 19, 2021 that it is allocating funds to small business relief as part of the State of Minnesota County Relief Funding Program. Rochester Area Foundation will administer a $677,794 grant program for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations affected by COVID-19.

Rochester Area Foundation will accept applications online for the $677,794 Olmsted County State of Minnesota non-profit grant program beginning January 22, 2021 at 8 a.m. until February 2, 2021 at 11 p.m.   

Grants up to $25,000 will be awarded to non-profits operated in Olmsted County that can demonstrate financial hardship related to the COVID-19 outbreak, specifically a 25% or greater decrease in revenue. Grants will be based on up to 50% of lost revenue from October 1 to December 31, 2020, up to a maximum of $25,000, depending on eligibility.

For example: If from October-December of 2019, your organization had revenue of $30,000, but in October-December of 2020, your organization had revenue of $5,000, you would have a loss of $25,000. You are eligible to apply for 50% of that loss, or $12,500. You may or may not receive the full $12,500 depending on how your organization meets the priority criteria.

Grant funds may be used to cover business expenses, including but not limited to payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other expenses in the regular course of business.

These are grants and no repayment will be required; they are not loans.

• Note: 5401(c)(8) and 501(c)(19) non-profits that have food and beverage operations do not fit the criteria for this non-profit grant relief; instead, they are being included in the Olmsted County State of Minnesota Small Business Relief grant program. Non-profits that fit that criteria should submit applications to RAEDI by January 31, 2021.

To qualify, non-profits must meet the following criteria:

• Be a 501 (c)(3) organization or organization fiscally sponsored by a 501 (c)(3) organization.
• Have a physical location in Olmsted County.
• Be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State with no outstanding tax liens.
• Be current on property taxes (if applicable) for 2019 and all years prior, as of May 15, 2020.

Priority will be given to non-profits:

• Closed* by Governor Walz’s Executive Order (20-99) on November 18, 2020. *Closed is defined as “closed to ingress, egress, use, and occupancy by members of the public;”
• That have not received aid from prior Olmsted County non-profit relief grant programs;
• That serve underserved and/or marginalized populations; and/or,
• Provide services to low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

“Olmsted County is pleased to partner again with Rochester Area Foundation to provide relief to non-profit agencies whose operations have been negatively impacted by the pandemic,” stated Olmsted County Chief Financial Officer Wilfredo Román Cátala. “The work provided by local non-profits helps our communities thrive; they play a significant role in our collective well-being and economic stability.”

“Residents of Olmsted County have the opportunity to not just live, but to thrive, in large part because of the non-profits who work incredibly hard every single day to support our community,” said President of Rochester Area Foundation Jennifer Woodford. “Rochester Area Foundation is grateful to Olmsted County for these additional relief dollars that will help non-profits build better communities for all through the Olmsted County nonprofit relief grant program.”

Questions can be directed to Community Impact Officer Carrie Moscho at carrie@rochesterarea.org.

2020 Olmsted County Grant Awards

Olmsted County Ag Association DBA Olmsted County Fair

Olmsted County Historical Society

OMC Regional Foundation

Opportunity Services Inc

Project Legacy

Resounding Voices

Rideability

Road Runners Club of America Rochester Running Club

Rochester Art Center

Rochester Dance Company

Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

Rochesterfest

RT Autism Awareness Foundation

Samaritan Bethany Foundation

Sports Mentorship Academy

The Children’s Place

Veterans & Emergency Services Museum Rochester MN

Viola Gopher Count, Inc.

World Sleep Society Inc.