Nonprofits and childcare providers in Boulder County have until 11:59 p.m. on March 28, to apply for a slice of the $7.8 million pie, courtesy of the Survive and Thrive grant program. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this one-time funding boost is aimed at those still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic's persistent punch. Eligible applicants, including the often-overlooked Family, Friend, and Neighbor Providers, could bag anywhere from $5,000 to $150,000, depending on their needs and services rendered during these trying times.
According to Boulder County, the criteria for the Survive and Thrive program stipulate that applicants must have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and have provided services during 2020 and/or 2021. For childcare providers, that means taking care of the 0-5 age demographic, and for nonprofits, it's about offering human services or social safety nets in Boulder County. "Child care providers and nonprofits have been essential in supporting our community throughout the pandemic – the Survive and Thrive program is one way we can help them recover and continue their important work," said Program Manager Emily Darrell in the statement.
For those who could use a hand with the application process, support is readily available. Questions specific to the application can be directed to AidKit, while broader program-related inquiries should be sent to Emily Darrell. Boulder County is facilitating all this with virtual drop-in office hours. Two sessions are on the docket, one on March 18 from noon to 1 p.m., and another on March 24 from 5 to 6 p.m., offering assistance in both English and Spanish, ensuring that no one gets left behind due to a language barrier.
