Arlington Launches $10k GRANT Program for Small Biz Relief

In a move to provide financial support to small business and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, Arlington County has created the Arlington Small Business Emergency GRANT (Giving Resiliency Assets Near Term) Program, which provides qualifying businesses with as much to $10,000 in grant support. The grants can be used to pay employee salaries and benefits or other operating expenses directly related to the immediate impacts of COVID-19.

Arlington County hopes to have the application process ready by early May and has $674,000 in available funds, so it will be a competitive process to receive a grant with several evaluation stages says Telly Tucker, director of Arlington Economic Development.

Who Qualifies:

Any business or nonprofit with less than 50 employees that is located inside the county and has a business license qualifies. The organization must also be in “good standing” with county taxes through February and show a revenue drop caused by the global pandemic of at least 35%.

The multi-step review process will initially review how many jobs can be saved, if the organization was negatively impacted by social distancing orders, and financial need. The second phase will involve a “blind” review panel analyzing data to determine if the firm was viable before the pandemic. If applying, you will need to tell this group, which determines the grant amount, exactly how you plan to use the funds.

Tucker says the goal is for this program to be the first of several Arlington County will launch to assist local organizations, planning on using data from the program to show the county board how much need exists.

“I would tell businesses to not be discouraged if they think the amount of money won’t be enough,” Tucker said. “Apply anyways because it lets us know what the need is.”

The county says it believes more funds for future programs could become available through community partners, political subdivisions and nonprofits they have spoken with.

Program Details:

WHAT: The GRANT Program provides grants up to $10,000 for eligible businesses and nonprofits
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Arlington County businesses and nonprofits with less than 50 employees that have experienced sudden financial losses of 35% or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
WHEN: The program has been approved now, the application portal should open in early May.
HOW TO APPLY: Go to https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/covid-19/grant-information/ for more info and to be notified when the application portal opens.
CONTACT:
Cara O’Donnell
Public Relations
Arlington Economic Development
703-228-0854
codonnell@arlingtonva.us

Other Grant Opportunities

• The Artist Relief Fund is a $10 million national emergency relief fund for artists and creative workers affected by COVID-19, offering $5,000 no-strings-attached grants for those earning income from creative or artistic practice. Learn More
• Facebook announced a $100 million program for small businesses impacted by Coronavirus. Eligible businesses must have 2 to 50 employees, have been in business over a year, have experienced challenges due to COVID-19, and be in or near a location where Facebook operates. Visit the following link for more information on the program. Learn More
• The nonprofit Virginia 30 Day Fund provides forgivable loans for Virginia-based small businesses. The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum three days) to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding. Virginia-based businesses that having been operating for at least one year with 3 to 30 employees, and owned and operated are eligible to apply. Please visit the online application to apply. Learn More