City to accept applications for a second tranche of relief funding for non-profits affected by Covid-19

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, July 14, 2023

HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi today announced that the City and County of Honolulu will soon begin accepting applications for the second tranche of relief funding for non-profit organizations that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-profits may be eligible to receive up to $100,000 through this program. These funds will be awarded to qualifying non-profits on a first-come, first serve basis until the funds are exhausted.

Applications will be accepted starting today until August 25, 2023. To learn more about the program and submit an application for relief funding, please visit www.oneoahu.org/NonProfitReliefProgram.

“We have all felt the struggle to get back to a sense of normalcy, and consequently many of our non-profits are still recovering from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “These non-profits provide crucial support to low-income families, promote culture and the arts, help our keiki and kupuna, and protect the environment. The City and County of Honolulu is honored to support this valuable community.”

The first tranche of funding started receiving applications in December 2022, and continued until February 6, 2023. More than $4 million in relief funding was distributed to non-profits who applied for the first tranche, and approximately $10 million is anticipated to be distributed for the second tranche.

“Our nonprofits provide essential services to our communities,” said Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina. “The expansion of the eligibility requirements for the Non-Profit Relief Program means more organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will have the resources they need to recover and support those in need.”

The second tranche of relief funding provided through the Non-Profit Relief Program will expand the eligibility requirements to more broadly reach 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations that suffered revenue losses due to COVID-19. The first tranche required reported losses from both the 2020 and 2021 tax years combined, but this second tranche will provide relief for losses experienced in either tax year, provided that other eligibility requirements are met.

“The newly expanded eligibility requirements will allow even more non-profits to receive the help they need to recover from COVID-19,” said Department of Community Services Director Anton Krucky. “By September of this year, we are hoping to put up to $15 million into the hands of O‘ahu’s non-profits, allowing them to worry less about recovery efforts and focus more on the important work they do for our communities.”

This program seeks to offset economic harm suffered as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of harm include (but are not limited to) loss of revenues due to cancelled fundraising events, increased operating cost due to staffing inefficiencies, or closures due to COVID-19 infections in the workplace. Certain eligibility requirements must be met by non-profits hoping to receive relief funding. For example, the applicant must be a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(19) non-profit organization on Oʻahu, and provide direct assistance, services, and/or benefits to Oʻahu residents.

"Working with the Non-Profit Recovery Program was a simple, stress-free, experience." said Habitat for Humanity Leeward Oahu Executive Director Jo Bautista. "The $100,000 we received as a result of our application and your help gave us a huge reason to celebrate! I would highly encourage other non-profit organizations to apply for this funding.”

Applications will only be accepted digitally using an online portal developed in-house by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Information Technology. As previously, applications will not be accepted by email or by hard copy. To learn more about the Non-Profit Relief Program and review eligibility requirements, please visit www.oneoahu.org/nonprofitreliefprogram.

The deadline for requests for clarification about this program is July 28, 2023. Questions must be made in writing and sent to bfspurchasing@honolulu.gov. To receive regular updates on our Non-Profit Relief Program, please add your contact information to our email distribution list: https://www.honolulu.gov/esub/email-subscribe-dcs.

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