RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES |
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Why does this email look different? Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) has launched its new branding and in conjunction, a new website!
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What new resources do we have for you? Our new website better reflects the technical assistance services we are able to provide through our EDA CARES programming. You can learn more, and see backdated issues of these emails on our new site.
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FREE Technical Assistance for Small Businesses
Note: This program was originally launched in August and we only have a few spots left. Please sign up only if you have not yet received assistance.
Our organization, the Strafford Regional Planning Commission, has launched a program to help small businesses recover from the economic impacts caused by COVID-19 by providing them with professional technical support in key areas of business operations. To do so, we have partnered with local private consultants that are working to provide technical assistance to small businesses in the following areas:
Website Development
Marketing and Advertising
Graphic Design
Audio Visual Support
Generic IT
Cybersecurity
THIS SERVICE IS BEING OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO SMALL BUSINESSES. SRPC will cover the cost of up to 3 hours of services in one of the above-mentioned categories. Services will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, so sign up soon!
To request assistance for your business in any of these categories, you can sign up here.
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Deadline Extended for COVID-19 Expense Reimbursement Program
The Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) announced that the application deadline for the COVID-19 Expenses Relief Program will be extended by one week, to allow for eligible businesses to apply for reimbursement of a portion of their eligible expenses until 4 PM on Friday, October 8, 2021, via the GOFERR portal.
More information on the program, including eligibility information, can be found here.
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Business Resiliency Survey
Business organizations and economic development partners across the Granite State are sharing SBDC’s Resiliency Survey because it has deepened our understanding of the impact COVID-19 has had on our small business community. We learned a great deal in Phases 1 and 2 of the survey, however we know that businesses’ needs and their responses to the pandemic have evolved over the last eighteen months. With Phase 3, we hope to discover how businesses built resiliency or where they may still need our help.
Your input and response are critical. The higher the response rate, the deeper and more valuable the survey data will be. Phase 3 survey results will directly impact how economic development partners create programs and add services to help you and other small businesses thrive once again.
The survey will be live through October 8st and should take 10 –15 minutes to complete. Please click this link to access the survey: Business Resiliency Survey. If you have already taken it, thank you for participating! If not, we look forward to hearing from you!
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New Hampshire Library Technology Grant Program
This competitive grant program administered by New Hampshire Charitable Foundation awards grants of up to $10,000 to community libraries to support online access, technology upgrades, distance learning and staff development.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants must serve what is considered to be a rural, and underserved or under-resourced community. If you are unsure if your library serves a rural or underserved community, please contact Ben Amsden, at Ben.Amsden@nhcf.org.
Deadline: Friday, October 8, 2021, 5:00 pm Eastern time.
Award Amount: Up to $10,000
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The Madelaine G. von Weber Trust Grant - For Nonprofits Only!
The Von Weber Trust funds worthy charitable projects throughout New Hampshire that will have a lasting effect on New Hampshire and its residents. Applicants for this grant should demonstrate good governance, a sustainable program, strong community/board of trustees support, a track record of valuable service to the community and a compelling rationale for why the requested funds are needed.
Eligibility:
- Must be a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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The areas of interest include Environmental and Conservation Initiatives, Music and the Arts, and Social Services. To learn more about what proposals have been funded in the past visit this link.
Deadline: October 15, 2021.
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The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust Grant - For Nonprofits Only!
For over 81 years, The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust has been providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that help those in need. Since 1989, the Trust has awarded well over $41 million dollars to 8,698 recipients, impacting lives and making a difference.
Eligibility:
- Must be a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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Focus areas of funding include Health and Welfare, Dental/Oral Health, Recreational/Camperships (camp scholarships), Education, Food Pantries, and Homeless Shelters.
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In order to apply, it is recommended (but not required) that you provide a 1-2 page long letter of inquiry as your first contact with the Trust.
Your grant proposal should include:
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Proposal summary (see here)
- Narrative of your organization and description of the need
- Complete financial statements for the last 2 years (preferably audited) or Form 990
- Budget for capital expenditures
- Estimates or quotes obtained
- IRS Determination letter - nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations only classifying agency as an organization that is not a private foundation as defined in section 509a of the IRS code, with Federal Tax Identification Number.
Deadline: Proposals are reviewed on a rolling monthly basis or more often as necessary.
Award amount: $1,000 - $5,000
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TD Bank Housing for Everyone Competition
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an increased demand for affordable housing, straining resources and forcing providers to expand their services with limited support. TD Bank is awarding $5.8 million in grants to non-profits to strengthen their capacity to help people achieve financial security in a changing world. This funding will support capacity building for organizations to address resident services for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families.
Grants will be made available to eligible organizations addressing current needs, including but not limited to:
- Workforce development
- Public benefits enrollment and management
- Housing navigation and eviction prevention
- Housing counseling (HUD-certified)
- Financial coaching and education
Eligibility: If you're a non-profit with a history of addressing critical affordable housing issues in your community, apply for this grant today.
Deadline: Thursday, October 28, 2021
Award Amount: Grants will range from $150,000−$250,000
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The Grassroot Fund - Seed Grant
The Seed Grant program is geared towards groups launching new projects related to environmental justice or starting to significantly change the direction of an existing project. Most often, eligible groups have been working on the project for less than a year and usually don't yet have much direct experience with implementing the idea.
Seed Grants prioritize support for community groups who represent a broad range of voices in their community and who are not being reached by other funders. The Grassroots Fund interprets the word 'environment' broadly and provides funding for a wide range of activities.
Eligibility:
- The group is doing local, grassroots work in NH.
- The group is volunteer-driven or has no more than 2 full-time paid staff.
- The group has an annual operating budget of under $100,000.
- The group does NOT need to have formal tax status or a fiscal sponsor.
Deadline: Rolling- you can apply for a Seed Grant any time of year. A final decision generally takes 4 to 6 weeks and you can expect to hear from staff to schedule a follow-up call in about 2 weeks from the date you submit an application.
Grant Amount: $500 - $1,000
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Are you a NH organization providing students with art lessons, music lessons, sport apprenticeship or any other learning outside of the classroom?
Your organization can now offer high school credits to students learning in your program. NH understands that learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom. Your new or existing program can continue to prepare students for the future while offering them credits for the learning that is taking place at your organization.
Benefits:
- No need to change your existing program/offering
- Your participants can earn high school credit for the learning taking place at your program
- Free and easy application process
This includes music, art, theater classes, internships and apprenticeships, travel sports teams, pottery classes, private language classes, and a number of other experience-based learning programs.
Visit Learn Everywhere to see how you can become approved to offer credit to NH students.
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REDC's Virtual Entrepreneur Resource Center
The Regional Economic Development Center (REDC), serving Southern NH, offers assistance for small business owners by offering them technical assistance, financing and business advising. Their newest resource is the Virtual Entrepreneur Resource Center which is filled with tips, advice, inspiring client stories and motivation from the REDC staff. From business sustainability to simple marketing recommendations to accounting tips, they will share their knowledge to help empower you as a business owner.
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A guide to what workplaces can and can’t do when it comes to vaccines
Navigating your business during the pandemic can be difficult when rules and regulations are constantly changing. Have you ever wondered what your legal rights and responsibilities are? What should you as an employer and small business owner know when it comes to COVID-19 requirements in workplaces? Do you need answers to the following questions?
- Can my workplace require the vaccine?
- Can a business ask to see proof of vaccination?
- Can I be asked to wear a mask if I’m not vaccinated?
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Please don't hesitate to e-mail us if you have any questions or need business-related support. We will do our best to address your needs or connect you to the right resource!
Sincerely,
Natalie Moles
Economic Recovery Coordinator
603-994-3500 ext. 113
Zuzana Duffy
Economic Development Intern
Strafford Regional Planning Commission
150 Wakefield Street, Suite 12
Rochester, NH 03867
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