TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is providing $25 million for a grant program to help those non-profit organizations that have been assisting residents throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

"I am pleased to announce that the Ocean County Board of Commissioners will be offering this grant program to the many non-profit organizations that have gone above and beyond to assist during the coronavirus pandemic," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn. "They have helped tremendously.

"Many have also suffered financially during the pandemic as fund raising efforts had to be curtailed," Quinn said. "This grant program will help cover the costs of expenses incurred as a result of addressing increased community needs because of COVID 19."

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has allocated $25 million in CARES funding to the Ocean County COVID 19 Response Non-Profit Program.

This grant program has been developed to support the response efforts of non-profit organizations working locally in Ocean County to meet the additional needs of the community created by the coronavirus pandemic.

Quinn noted that the grant application for the Ocean County COVID 19 Response Non-Profit Program will be available at 9 a.m., May 13 and the application period is expected to be open until June 3.

"As with past programs, associated information about requirements and eligibility will be available on the Ocean County website at www.co.ocean.nj.us starting Monday, May 10," Quinn said. "The application will be available three days later on May 13."

Successful grant recipients will be based on meeting all eligibility criteria as outlined on the program webpage.

This initial round of funding will provide funds for expenses incurred by non-profits during the period of March 1, 2020 through Feb. 28, 2021. If a second round is made available those grant funds would cover costs incurred as of March 1, 2021 or later.

"When the coronavirus pandemic began to spread across Ocean County, the lives of so many of our residents were affected," Quinn said. "So many of our citizens lost jobs as businesses were forced to close, others felt the health impacts from getting the virus, our homes were turned into classrooms as schools closed, child care was not as readily available, food insecurity and housing instability increased dramatically."

He added that in order to meet the growing needs of Ocean County residents, many non-profit organizations increased their assistance and outreach in the communities, helping with food distribution, providing personal protection equipment, administering COVID 19 tests, assisting with COVID 19 vaccination distribution and community outreach.

"Non-profit agencies have extended a lifeline to many of our residents, especially our most frail and vulnerable senior and disabled residents during the coronavirus pandemic," Quinn said.

The intent of this grant program is to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that incurred new costs that would not have otherwise been incurred absent the COVID 19 public health emergency.

"We deeply appreciate all of the effort that has been made by these dedicated non-profit organizations, many with the assistance of volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to help the residents of Ocean County during this very challenging time," Quinn said.

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has also supported a number of other grant programs including the Ocean County Residential Emergency Rental Assistance Program, grants for businesses to assist with rent and lease payments, and also Community Development Block Grant funds to assist non-profits.

"The federal CARES money has allowed us to reach out and help those in our communities that have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic," Quinn said. "These grant programs have been tailored to help residents, business owners and non-profits during unprecedented times."