FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2023

Mayor Noble Launches ARPA Nonprofit Services Grant Program

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the launch of the City of Kingston’s ARPA Nonprofit Services Grant Program, which is intended to mitigate the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on Kingston’s nonprofit organizations.

The City of Kingston has allocated over $1.2 million of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the Nonprofit Services Grant Program. Grants of up to $25,000 each will assist in the recovery of Kingston-based nonprofit organizations and/or nonprofit organizations that serve City of Kingston residents.

Grant awardees will be reimbursed for eligible expenses incurred between March 3, 2021, and September 27, 2024. Program activity examples might include food distribution to low-income residents, shelter for the homeless, medical assistance, mental health services, or other basic needs services.

To be eligible for an award, organizations must be a nonprofit or not-for-profit entity within City of Kingston limits or provide services to city residents; must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or not-for-profit in New York and must have been operating in Kingston or providing services prior to October 1, 2021.

“We are so thrilled to support our local nonprofits in Kingston, which provided vital resources to the community during the pandemic and throughout the most difficult times,” said Mayor Noble. “We owe much of our City’s resilience to these organizations and we recognize that they were severely stressed by the pandemic’s lasting effects. We hope this funding will help to keep our nonprofits doing their invaluable work in our community well into the future.” 

“Nonprofits have always been at the heart of the Kingston community. It’s no surprise that when COVID hit they immediately sprang into action to serve our most vulnerable neighbors. From making sure people had food to eat and a roof over their head, to providing critical healthcare services on the frontlines, our nonprofits went above and beyond for Kingston during its darkest days. Yet, for many organizations, more services didn’t mean more revenue, leaving nonprofits already operating on thin margins with never-before-seen financial stress,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. “That’s why I’m proud to deliver $1.2 million in American Relief Plan funds for our Kingston nonprofits. This will boost their recovery so they can focus less on their books and more on what they do best – helping people.”  

Eligible expenses include:

• Payroll and for program staff 

• Inventory/supplies/equipment

• Improvements to ventilation in program spaces

• Personal Protective Equipment

• Other physical improvements to processes or location to comply with social distancing or other directives issued by the County or State due to the pandemic

• Other costs related to the direct provision of services

• Guest educator fees

The deadline for applications is Friday, May 26, 2023. Awards will be announced on Monday, June 19, 2023.

For guidelines, eligibility, application, and much more information, visit www.engagekingston.com/arpa-nonprofit-grant-program.