Norwalk designates $2M in ARPA funds to local nonprofits
NORWALK — Of the funds received from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act, $2 million will be used to bolster Norwalk nonprofit organizations and provide resident support.
The city is slated to receive $39.3 million in ARPA funds to be dispensed between 2021 and 2023. The purpose of the funds is to help alleviate or reverse any negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The money granted to Norwalk nonprofits is aimed to combat problems that arose during the pandemic, such as providing mental health services or combating homelessness. Norwalk Chief of Community Services Lamond Daniels outlined the program to the Common Council’s Community Services and Personnel Committee last week.
Norwalk is in the process of designing a grant program through which the ARPA funds will be dispensed, called the Norwalk Community Recovery Fund Grant.
“We have the funding, so we are building the infrastructure, building the tools. We are creating a program so it’s happening in real time,” Lamond said. “For every single item, we have a subject matter expert we rely on, whether it’s a state partner or partner that won’t be applying, to provide subject matter expertise. We have expertise to really help us approve and finalize funding so that we know we are making a big impact.”
Daniels and his team identified seven key areas into which the city wants to invest its nonprofit funds: Eviction prevention, homelessness interventions, behavioral and mental health, early education, workforce initiatives, organizational support and youth prevention.
The city plans to release a request for proposal for community organizations in each of the categories looking to expand services to apply, Daniels said.
“There is a precursor, this is not funding to say, ‘I would like to expand my program.’” Daniels said. “It’s specifically around how has COVID-19 impacted your ability to serve constituents and that could be an expansion,
‘We were inundated, and we would like to expand capacity to serve the need.’ That is most certainly criteria of eligibility.”
Eligible nonprofits must be categorized as a 501(c)(3) and be in business for more than three years, Daniels said. The program is not designed for startups.
Nonprofits should also apply with a sustainability plan in mind, as the grants are one-time offerings.
“These are one-time grants. We have to be thoughtful,” Daniels said. “If we provide funding, we can’t just do with this funding for a year and the funding shuts down. In my opinion, that defeats the purpose.”
The grants will range from $20,000 to $50,000 and fund costs incurred since March 3, 2021, according to a city document outlining intended use of ARPA funds. The funds must also be used by December 2024.
“Funding is allocated to help support a strong and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn to maximize programmatic impact and effective, efficient, and equitable outcomes,” the statement read.
Use of the funds must support communities, populations and people in Norwalk, according to the documents.
Daniels said he plans to conduct a community meeting in January outlining the terms of the grant program and application dates. The RFPs are set to be out between mid-January and early February, with programs to expect receipt of funding in late March, Daniels said.
“The nonprofit community is the safety net for the city of Norwalk and do a phenomenal job,” Daniels said. “I have met with many of the leaders and have learned how the Pandemic has also impacted their services as well. Through ARPA funding we are pleased to be able to support and provide these needed dollars to help them do the great work they perform every day. We are working diligently to get the funds to them quickly as possible.”
Earlier this month, the council approved the start of a separate small business grant program in Norwalk, also funded through ARPA.
In approving the use of ARPA funds, city officials must report back to the council quarterly with how distribution of the funds is going and where things stand for each department, Mayor Harry Rilling’s Chief of Staff Laoise King has said.
“We’ve looked at every possible thing, we reached out to the public, we had discussions as to what the members of this community feel are important,” Rilling said. “Norwalk had economic impact and we had some issues where businesses are struggling, homeowners are struggling, and we want to make sure we use this money in a way that is intended.”