NEW WEBSITE TO CONNECT ARTISTS WITH CONSUMERS:
RaRa (Real Art Real Artists Locally) is a new website that connect artists with consumers. Because of the epidemic they are offering free membership which means you can put your information and samples of your art pieces on the website for free. They do not take commissions for sales. You can get your free membership with the code RaRa2020. Go to www.realartrealartists.com.
OTHER GRANTS AND RESOURCES
Small Business Funding:
Save Small Business Fund: A collective effort organized by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation to provide $5,000 grants to small businesses employing 3-20 people located in economically vulnerable communities, harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Opens on April 20.
IRS Employee Retention Credit: Refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50 percent of the qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021.
Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program (MVP): Matching grants of up to $75,000 to assist in the production of critical equipment and supplies needed to respond to the COVID-19 emergency, not currently including eye protection/face shields.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program: Facebook is offering $100M in grants and ad credits to businesses under 50 employees, operating for more than 1 year. Applications for “other eligible US cities” open on April 22.
COVID19 Business For All Emergency Grant: Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus. Website also offers pairing of business owners to 50+ available funding resources; sign-up required.
Connecticut Hospitality Employee Relief Fund: CT Restaurant Association and philanthropic partners provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers.
Restaurant Strong Fund (for EMPLOYEES): Grants for full-time (30+ hrs) employees, employed for 3 months or longer at the same location(s) of a restaurant, bar, cafe or nightclub.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (for EMPLOYEES) : Financial aid for bartenders, full- or part-time, or their immediate family, working for more than one year previous who have experienced unexpected hardship.
National Restaurant Association Employee Relief Fund: Not currently accepting applications due to overwhelming response.
Minority-owned, Women-owned Business Funding:
COVID 19 Business Response Program Line of Credit: HEDCO, Inc. and the State of CT have partnered to offer zero-interest lines of credit up to $20,000 to qualifying minority-owned or woman-owned businesses with 20 or fewer employees.
Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund: LISC provides grants up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure, especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and historically underserved communities. Round 1 currently closed, visit site to sign up for next round notifications.
Red Backpack Fund: Up to 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to women entrepreneurs in the US, overseen by GlobalGiving. Next round of applications opens on May 6.
Arts, Culture, and Community Funding:
36 AMAZING ART GRANTS TO APPLY FOR TODAY: