CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The City of Corpus Christi and United Way of the Coastal Bend (UWCB) have awarded $475,000 to 32 local nonprofit agencies to help keep them in business during the COVID-19 economic downturn.
The Nonprofit Recovery Fund was established in July by action of the City Council. More than 50 organizations representing more than $1.2 million in requests submitted applications to the fund. Many indicated a loss in revenue due to cancelled fundraisers and decreased donations, leading to cuts in services and employee layoffs.
A review committee comprised of UWCB leadership and a City of Corpus Christi representative carefully reviewed the applications and awarded grants ranging from $3,000 to $25,000. Applications were reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Evaluation criteria included:
- Grant funds must be used for operational/administrative expenses, working capital, expenses of debt and workplace needs.
- Grants were awarded to agencies with a positive track record and in existence for more than three years.
- Eligible nonprofit organizations must have annual operating budgets of $3 million or less.
- Preference was given to small nonprofits that aren’t heavily supported with state or federal dollars.
- Eligible nonprofits must be located within Corpus Christi city limits, serve Corpus Christi residents and be governed by a local Board of Directors (not an advisory board).
- Approval was based on need, location, planning, eligibility and availability of funds.
- Agencies must currently provide health and human services, educational services, business support or job training in the Corpus Christi city limits.
- Provide evidence of 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 status.
- Organizations must provide most current audit for organizations with annual revenue more than $750,000; financial review for organizations between $100,000 to $749,999 annual revenue; and board-certified financials for organizations with less than $100,000 in annual revenue.
- Agencies must provide list of Board of Directors and copy of most recent board-approved minutes.
Agencies will be required to submit monthly reporting detailing how the funds were used and must stay open and operational for at least three months after receiving the grant or else be subject to repayment.
Agencies receiving a Nonprofit Recovery Fund grant are:
- Accessible Housing Resources, Inc.
- Agape Ranch
- Annapolis Christian Academy
- Art Center of Corpus Christi
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving the Coastal Bend
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend
- Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc.
- Children's Advocacy Center
- Corpus Christi Hope House, Inc.
- Corpus Christi Literacy Council
- Corpus Christi Metro Ministries
- Corpus Christi Symphony Society
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center of Corpus Christi
- Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation
- Dress for Success Corpus Christi
- Family Counseling Service
- Friends of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
- Greenwood-Molina Nursery School
- Habitat for Humanity - Corpus Christi
- It's Your Life Foundation
- Kids Get Fit
- Majesty Outdoors
- Mary McLeod Bethune Early Child Development Center
- Mother Teresa Shelter, Inc.
- The Purple Door (Women’s Shelter of South Texas)
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Corpus Christi
- South Texas Council – Boy Scouts of America
- South Texas Institute for the Arts
- United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
- Wesley Community Center
- YMCA of the Coastal Bend
- YWCA of Corpus Christi