Grant FAQs

  1. Nonprofit Relief Grant
  2. State Restaurant Assistance Grant - Round 3
  3. Hotel Relief Grant - Round 2
  4. Payment Forms

Are translation services available?
For translation services, call 410-638-3059.

Does my business qualify?  

To qualify, a nonprofit must: 

  • Must maintain a physical location/address in Harford County (PO Boxes are NOT acceptable);  
  • Must be classified as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization;
  • Must have suffered adverse economic impacts from COVID and/or other related circumstances that impact the nonprofit’s ability to provide programs and/or services AND maintain documentation to verify these impacts;
  • Must be in good standing with Harford County Government, and registered with the state; and
  • May not currently be in default on any loans from Harford County or delinquent on any taxes, fees, or other charges owed to Harford County. 

What can I use the funding for?  
Funds are to be used for expenses related to COVID-19 between March 2020 and December 2021, as long as those expenses have not been supported by other COVD relief funding. For example:

  • Working capital, such as rent, payroll, and job training
  • Other operating costs used for the purpose of fulfilling the mission of the organization
Funds may NOT be used for:
  • Activities that promote a religious doctrine
  • Payment of debts or legal settlements
  • Political or partisan purposes
  • Funding to schools and/or public agencies that would supplant tax-supported mandated services

When can I submit the application?  
You can email the application and all required documents to nonprofitrelief@harfordcountymd.gov starting on April 28 at 8:00 a.m. Email subject line must read the name of the organization/applicant. All forms must be typed except for where legal signatures are required.  


When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline is June 4 at 5:00 p.m.

 
Will an electronic or typed signature be accepted on the application, W-9, or Direct Deposit/EFT Form?  
No. A physical signature is needed on all forms.  

 

What happens if I submit my application before April 28 at 8 a.m.?  
Applications and required documents WILL NOT be accepted prior to 8 a.m. on April 28, 2021. Any attempted email submission before 8 a.m. on April 28 will not be held in a queue and must be resubmitted for consideration. 
 
How many employees do I need to have in order to qualify for this grant?  
There is no employment requirement associated with this grant.  

How do I determine if I'm a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19)? Where can I find my IRS designation?
In order to determine your IRS non-profit designation, visit https://www.irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits.

I was told I was not in Good Standing with the State of Maryland. How do I resolve this? 
Please contact the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation at 410-767-1184 or sdat.411@maryland.gov.  

What documentation do I need to submit?

  • Fully-completed (typed) application (handwritten applications will not be accepted EXCEPT where a legal inked signature is required);
  • Form 990 from 2019 tax filing or other official documentation verifying IRS Nonprofit designation as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19).Please note: these are the only designations eligible for this program.
  • Completed W9 form; and
  • Completed Direct Deposit Form. The Direct Deposit Form is also known as the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Form;

Please note: The subject line of your email submission must read your organization  name.  
 

I need to resubmit my application. Do I need to resubmit everything, or just what needed correction?  
Please resubmit your application with all the required paperwork, including that which needed to be corrected, to nonprofitrelief@harfordcountymd.gov. Your re-submission will be reviewed in the order it was received. 

 

How will I know if you have received my application? 

You will receive an automated response confirming the receipt of your application. If you do not receive an automated response, please check your SPAM folder and/or verify the email address to which you submitted your application reads nonprofitrelief@harfordcountymd.gov.  


How can I find out the status of my application? 
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received by our Relief Grant Response Team. Once an application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation that your application has been received and is under review. After all documents are reviewed for completion and accuracy by our team, you will receive notification concerning the status of your application. An application may be rejected or returned for one or more of the following reasons: the business is ineligible under program terms; information provided in required documentation is inaccurate, and/or; the application or required documentation are incomplete. In the event that the application was rejected but the business is eligible, your notification of status will clearly identify the reasons for returning the application and you will be able to resubmit a new application with the required adjustments. Due to the large number of applications we are reviewing, we will not be providing individual updates of application status. 


What type of documentation will be required in the case of an audit? 

This would be documentation following generally accepted accounting principles for how the funds are expended, including but not limited to: financial records, payroll records, or receipts. Records of how the grant funds are used must be produced upon receiving a request from the federal government, the State of Maryland, and/or Harford County, and these records are subject to audit. 

 
What if I submit an incomplete application? Will I keep my place in line?  
If an incomplete application is received, the applicant will be notified of the issue regarding incompletion and asked to resubmit the fully completed application with all documentation. The applicant’s place in the queue will not be saved as other completed applications will continue moving forward.  
 
If I have applied for other Federal and/or State COVID-19 related assistance, can I still apply for this grant?  
Yes.  
 
When will I receive my grant funds?  
Applications will be processed and funded as quickly as possible.  
 
How many nonprofits will be awarded funds?  
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and eligible businesses will be awarded grants at the conclusion of the application period.  
 

I am a faith-based organization or religious establishment. Do I qualify for these funds?

Yes; however, these funds may not be used for non-secular purposes or religious doctrine.


My organization distributes funds to a specific vulnerable population. Am I allowed to use the funds for this purpose?

Yes, this is an eligible use of funds.


Do I need to submit supporting documentation to verify use of funds and/or the adverse economic impact(s) to my nonprofit organization?

At this time, no. However, in the event of an audit, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation, as outlined on page 3 of the application: I agree to maintain records evidencing compliance with the requirements of the grant for a period of five (5) years from the date of the grant, and permit any duly authorized representative of the State to inspect and audit all records and documents relating to the grant.


By which date does my organization need to expend the funds?

December 31, 2021.


Is there a physical address where I can mail or drop off my application?  
No. Applications will only be accepted electronically. The applications and documentation must be submitted in one email to nonprofitrelief@harfordcountymd.gov. An automated response will be generated, confirming receipt of the application.  
 
How much is the grant award?  
The amount will be determined by the total number of applicants.   
 

My physical address is a home/residential property. Am I eligible?

Yes, as long as the address is in Harford County. No PO Boxes will be accepted.

 

Is the data that I submit secure?  
If the applicant prefers to submit data securely, it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to submit through a secured or encrypted format. Once data has been received by Harford County Government, all data at rest is encrypted in a secure format.  
 
What information is absolutely needed for the application to be complete?  
Organizations will need to provide outlined documentation to satisfy the grant requirements.  
 

Who will be reviewing the grant applications?  
An extensive first-come, first-served process has been established involving county staff from multiple departments and will include several stages of management review.  
 
With regards to the MD Public Information Act Disclosure for the Relief Grant Programs, what information and documentation submitted with the application is subject to public disclosure?  
Any document deemed a public record by the Maryland Public Information Act is subject to disclosure in response to a request under said law. For more information, visit https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/pia.aspx.
 
How were the eligibility criteria established for the program?  
Harford County Government created the program in compliance with state of Maryland DHCD parameters and focused on businesses as the core of the program. While we do understand that some businesses and/or nonprofits may not be eligible for funds, we highly encourage those individuals to take advantage of the business resources available through the state of Maryland at https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs.  

 

Who can I contact for assistance with the application?  
If you need assistance with assessing your eligibility or compiling the needed documents for your application, we advise that you consult with your financial or legal advisors. For assistance with filling out the application, please contact our local Small Business Development Center at http://www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/locations/northern-region.