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BATON ROUGE, La (BRPROUD) — Grants providing COVID-19 relief are now available by the Louisiana Department of Revenue for charities, faith-based organizations, and small businesses through the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program. 

Eligible nonprofits include churches and other faith-based organizations, public charities, and groups with federal tax-exempt status, such as 501(c)(3) organizations. They must use grant funds aid to communities impacted by COVID-19. Priority consideration will be given to nonprofits providing food, employment, and education assistance programs

Small businesses must have 50 or fewer full-time employees. If approved for the grant, they use their funds to provide workforce development activities that directly address the negative economic impact of the COVID-19. These activities must involve workforce preparation or must improve an individual’s employment opportunities by providing:

  • Academic education
  • Basic education
  • Job readiness training
  • Vocational, technical, or occupational education

The applications are evaluated based on federal and state guidelines, and on the intended use of the funds and are not awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. $25,000 is the maximum grant award but not all approved will receive that amount.

The program, created by Act 410 of the 2021 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, has a maximum of $10 million to give.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue will be accepting applications on Monday, Aug. 16. Program guidelines, eligibility requirements and the online grant application are available here.