HARRISBURG – The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill today that would support Pennsylvania’s network of community-based nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Judy Ward (R-30).
Senate Bill 1314 would create the Nonprofit Economic Emergency Delivery System (NEEDS) Grant Program with $200 million from the state’s share of funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The competitive grant program would provide a lifeline for the more than 8,500 nonprofit organizations that provide human services, including childcare centers, domestic violence centers, early intervention service providers, food banks, career training institutions and organizations serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Funding would be directed to organizations that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through a closure, increase demand for services or loss of revenue.
“Our commonwealth is truly blessed by the extraordinary number of dedicated nonprofit organizations that help meet a variety of different needs throughout our communities, and the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted their important work in helping people during one of the most challenging times in our country’s history,” Ward said. “The pandemic impacted these groups in many ways, and they need our support to continue serving our most vulnerable populations. We cannot allow these critical organizations to fail.”
Under the program, maximum allowable grants would not exceed $500,000 per eligible non-profit organization.
The bill was sent to the full Senate for consideration.
CONTACT: Cheryl Schriner (717) 787-5490