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Urban News Staff Reports
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka has created an emergency fund aimed at providing financial relief to eligible Newark-based 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations that provide a direct service related to COVID-19 and/or have expended extra funds in creating new programs or in expanding existing programs to the benefit of Newark’s local economy and community.
“Many Newark nonprofits have gone far above the call of duty to do amazing things to keep Newark residents alive and well during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Baraka. “They have spent beyond their means at a time when future funding is unpredictable. This emergency fund will provide support to these organizations to help them remain strong and stable during this time of unprecedented need.”
The emergency fund, which will be administered by the City of Newark’s Department of Economic and Housing Development, will provide up to $1 million with grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to qualifying 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations. The application will be made available for qualifying 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations starting Monday, April 20, 2020 and continuing through Friday, May 22, 2020.
During these 30 days, Newark will provide grants on an ongoing basis in order to meet the financial need of organizations. The link to this grant will be found on the City of Newark’s COVID-19 website, https://newarkcovid19.com/home which will prompt applicants to send an email requesting the grant application.
To qualify 501(c) (3) Nonprofit Organizations must have a physical location in Newark; have directly provided services/programs unique to the COVID-19 pandemic to Newark residents/communities OR expanded their services/programs to meet the needs of their usual community base; and provide proof of their 501(c) (3) Nonprofit status and their annual budget.
The program is one of six initiatives that Mayor Baraka created to help residents weather the severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 health emergency. The other five are:
- An up to $2 million investment in a small business emergency fund with grants up to $10,000 for qualified businesses.
- A partnership with property owners to provide safe housing for the homeless.
- A $1 million investment in the “Live Newark” program to provide down payment and rehabilitation funds for Newark homeowners.
- An up to $750,000 arts investment to support the local community of artists and cultural organizations.
- Tax relief to building owners with stores and other small business tenants who have lost their ability to pay rent because of COVID-19 with the tax savings passed along to the tenants as a rent reduction.
For more information, please visit Please visit www.newarknj.gov to be taken to Newark’s COVID-19 Help Portal, then click on Help for Non-Profits, or contact the Newark Economic & Housing Development Department at ehd@ci.newark.nj.us with 501(c) (3) Nonprofit Grant on the subject line.