07/06/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/06/2022 15:33
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MD. (Wednesday, July 6, 2022) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the first round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant awards from the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs to nonprofit organizations. The awards - totaling $7.3 million - span the Scott Administration's priority pillars outlined in the Mayor's Action Plan, including building public safety, equitable neighborhood development, prioritizing our youth, and clean and healthy communities.
The grant funding announced today increases the total amount of funding awarded to nonprofit organizations to over $25 million from the City's $641 million ARPA allocation. City and quasi-government agencies that have already made ARPA awards to nonprofits for either direct economic relief or specific initiatives include: the Baltimore Civic Fund, the Mayor's Office of Employment Development, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, and the Baltimore City Health Department. In addition to ARPA, the City of Baltimore has provided support to nonprofits through other federal funding sources meant to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
"The work being done through Baltimore's diverse nonprofits is critical to the wellbeing of our residents. These organizations fill in the gaps and support our communities in ways that government cannot," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Here in Baltimore, we recognize the value of their work. That is why it is so important that we support our nonprofits as we prepare to emerge on the other side of the pandemic stronger than ever."
The selected nonprofit recipients are as follows:
"The COVID-19 pandemic tested the limits of Baltimore's nonprofit community. Amid a global crisis, our city's nonprofits demonstrated their ability to support our most vulnerable residents and stepped up to the plate to help our city rebuild better and stronger," said Deputy Mayor for Equity, Health, and Human Services Faith Leach. "They are shining examples of our city's grit, resilience, and commitment to building a better Baltimore and, under the leadership of Mayor Scott, we will ensure we acknowledge their efforts and strengthen partnerships across the sector."
This is the first announcement of awards from the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs to nonprofits. Nonprofit organizations submitted 322 proposals that were eligible for ARPA funding. The proposals received totaled $719 million-more than the City's total ARPA allocation through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). Additional announcements of awards to nonprofit organizations will be made in the coming months.
"Nonprofit organizations are important partners in the City's recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Baltimore City is one of the few recipients of ARPA funding that directly solicited proposals from nonprofit organizations," said Chief Recovery Officer Shamiah Kerney. "We look forward to working with the selected organizations to create more equitable outcomes for Baltimore City residents."
About the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided $641 million to the City of Baltimore in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. Mayor Brandon M. Scott has established the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs to transparently and effectively administer this funding on behalf of the City. For the most up to date information regarding proposals, funded projects, and project progress visit our ARPA Reporting center at arp.baltimorecity.gov/dashboard.
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