U.S. Chamber Foundation announces small business recovery grant

As businesses throughout the country are struggling in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), funding opportunities have appeared on local, state and national levels. In Carbon County, the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation announced a micro-grant to aid businesses impacted by the pandemic (see “Moving forward in Carbon County” on page 3 of the April 8 Saratoga Sun). On a national level, the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation is getting involved in supporting small businesses as well.

In a press release dated April 15, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced the launch of the Save Small Business Fund. According to the press release, the fund is being launched with aid from Vistaprint and is a grant program to provide assistance to small business owners impacted by the pandemic. The Foundation will distribute $5,000 grants, funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, to “small employers in economically vulnerable communities in the United States and its territories.”

The announcement of the Save Small Business Fund came a day before the Small Business Administration announced that all $349 billion allocated to the Paycheck Protection Program by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act had been exhausted within two weeks.

“Small business owners are facing unprecedented challenges. The needs are urgent and every dollar counts,” said Carolyn Crawley, president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “While the demand is great, we’re proud to be able to contribute to the many efforts underway to help small employers get through the next days and weeks and on the road to recovery for their communities.”

The grant applications for the Save Small Business Fund opened on April 20. Qualifying businesses must employ between three and 20 people, be located in an economically vulnerable community and have been harmed financially by the pandemic. According to the press release, grants will be awarded weekly on a rapid and rolling basis until all funds have been disbursed.

“This can be a confusing and frustrating time to everyone in the community, especially business owners and managers seeing profits drop, employees forced to collect unemployment and our empty streets,” said Leanna Jones, Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO. “There are grants available to businesses in need but navigating through them can be a challenge. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a new grant program that is easy to apply for. In less than 10 minutes you can apply and, unlike most grants, all you need is your W9.”

Jones added that she wanted to remind Chamber members that the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce was available to help with anything and everything they needed.

“Just ask and I will find all available funds and help you navigate through the, sometimes, challenging application process. We are in this together,” Jones said. “We are Saratoga Strong.”

To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund or apply for a grant, visit www.savesmallbusiness.com.