COLOMBIA, SC (AP) – Nearly 700 nonprofits across South Carolina are receiving state grants totaling $ 25 million to help offset costs during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state Department of Administration announced on Wednesday that 686 nonprofits would receive donations ranging from $ 2,500 to $ 50,000.
Among the groups that obtained the money are artistic organizations, churches and food banks. Grants can be used to cover expenses such as personnel and operating costs, as well as personal protective equipment and loss of revenue.
The state had to refuse other claims worth several million dollars, as a total of 1,590 nonprofits applied for $ 76 million in aid.
The volume of requests led to a two-week delay in notifying the winners.
This delay put more pressure on companies already affected by the pandemic, Frank Knapp, president of the state’s Chamber of Commerce for Small Business, told the Post and Courier.
The money was allocated by the state legislature in September to spend federal aid COVID-19 for South Carolina. The state is also issuing $ 40 million to small businesses affected by the pandemic.