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City of Springfield Awards 14 New Grants to Local Non-Profits as Part of the Fourth Round of “Prime the Pump” Grant Program

Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan announced today the awarding of 14 grants totaling $240,000 in a Fourth Round of the City of Springfield’s Prime the Pump grant program, assisting Non-Profits that are responding to critical community needs related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The Prime the Pump Program was initially announced on March 18, 2020.  The City, to date, has seen an overwhelming need for financial assistance within its small business community and has awarded in excess of $1,250,000 to address that need in a meaningful way.  The announcement of today’s grants brings the total economic development grant assistance provided by the Prime the Pump Program to over $1.5 Million.

 

The nonprofit grants ranged typically between $10,000 and $25,000.  Funding determinations were based on scoring criteria put forward in the Round 4 Notice of Funding Availability, which was publicly released on July 2, 2020.  The focus of this round of funding was on small community based nonprofits that were addressing critical community needs in Springfield neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by the virus and its secondary impacts both physical and economic. The scoring criteria also heavily weighted the diversity of the applicant’s governing board, as well as its employment of Springfield residents.

 

Mayor Sarno stated, “The non-profit community is a critical part of Springfield’s economy and the services that these organizations and institutions provide are even more essential at this time of enormous need.  I am pleased that Springfield could assist many of the organizations that have tirelessly assisted our city”.

 

The Prime the Pump Program is funded with Community Development Block Grant funding provided to the city by the CARES Act.

 

“My administration has deployed the CARES Act funding wisely, primarily focusing on ensuring employment and protecting people’s homes from economic uncertainty. However, there remains so much more to do over the weeks and months ahead to mitigate the local impacts of COVID-19,” Mayor Sarno added. “I continue to remain hopeful, that with the leadership of Congressman Neal, Congress will soon reach consensus on a fourth round of COVID-19 emergency relief funding to address these overwhelming local needs.”

 

“At a time when the services of our local nonprofits are needed most they are seeing their revenue generation completely disappear. For many organizations their doors remain open only by their collective grit, determination and their belief in the importance their mission.  The services these organizations provide to our community are essential and their importance to our economy cannot be overstated,” said CDO Sheehan.

 

All awards are pending each nonprofit organization successfully completing the contracting process.

 

Prime the Pump – Round FOUR Grant Awards

 

Arise for Social Justice                               $25,000

Morris Child Care                                         $25,000

YMCA Springfield-Y-Aim Program            $25,000

Rivera and Rivera                                        $20,000

South End Community Center                  $20,000

Springfield 5A Bulldogs                              $20,000

Springfield Housing Associates                $20,000

Springfield Vietnamese Cultural               $20,000

Stone Soul                                                    $20,000

Chess Angels Promotions                          $10,000

Christina’s House                                        $10,000

Greater New Life CC                                   $10,000

Make It Springfield                                      $10,000

MORE                                                            $  5,000