Denton County CARES

About Denton County CARES:

Denton County established the Denton County CARES (Coalition of Agencies to Restore Essential Services) in March as part of an effort to provide relief to residents who have been the most affected by COVID-19.

The funds identified for the Denton County CARES grants are a portion of the stimulus money Denton County received from the US Department of Treasury under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). Denton County is re-investing these funds into the Denton County CARES program to benefit residents impacted by COVID-19 with the help of Denton County non-profit organizations.

The U.S. Treasury set aside $150 billion in the CARES Relief Act (CRF) and calculated payments based on total population counties. Counties and cities with populations greater than 500,000 received funds directly from the federal government. Denton County Commissioners Court designated the $147 million received as part of the CARES Relief Act to provide COVID-19 relief in the following categories:

  • $45 million for municipalities in Denton County
  • $24 million for local business grants through Denton County OPEN (Operational Plan for Economic Normalization)
  • $20 million for housing assistance
  • $10 million for food programs
  • $46 million for county expenses, personal protection equipment (including for non-profit agencies and first responders) and public health
  • $2 million to support local nonprofit efforts to provide assistance

Denton County CARES is in memoriam to Gene Gumfory, a longtime Denton County businessman and philanthropist who gave generously of his time and money to support many programs over the years.

Denton County is providing funding through United Way of Denton County to nonprofit organizations providing services to residents across the county, using Coronavirus Relief Funds received from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Applications through the Denton County CARES portal will be accepted on an ongoing basis and evaluated weekly. Decisions will be made throughout the crisis period to facilitate the urgent need for funding against evolving community need.

All grant requests must demonstrate the financial need is directly related to the COVID-19 crisis.  This should be clearly indicated throughout the application for each request.

All grant funds must be expended by December 30, 2020. Any unused funds must be returned to Denton County no later than January 15, 2021. Each 501c3 organization receiving Denton County CARES funds must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prior to receipt of funds. The MOU is not a binding commitment by the County to grant any certain amount of CRF Funds to United Way of Denton County or the applying agency. The MOU does not constitute a legally binding agreement.

The agency agrees to participate and cooperate with an audit by the federal government. The MOU may be modified, altered, revised, extended or renewed by mutual written consent of all parties, by the issuance of a written amendment, signed and dated by all the parties. Any party may terminate participation in this MOU at any time by providing written notice to all other parties not less than thirty (30) days prior to effective date of such termination. Denton County may conduct reviews of the Funded Agencies at any time. If these Agencies are no longer performing in adherence with the goals of the COVID-19 Relief Fund, the County reserves the right to terminate this MOU with a thirty (30) day written notice to United Way of Denton County.

Denton County may fund other types of non-profits, including social welfare organizations under I.R.C. section 501(c)(4), or business leagues under I.R.C. section 501(c)(6).

In order to be eligible for funding, agencies must meet the following criteria:
  • Must be 501(c)(3) organization, 501(c)(4) social welfare organization or 501(c)6 business league
  • Must provide services in Denton County
  • Must provide services that address immediate response or long-term relief efforts as of December 30, 2020, in response to COVID-19
  • Requests need to focus on support for vulnerable populations– (examples could include seniors, children, homeless, low income displaced workers, first responders, medical professionals, and those without other resources).
Some examples of activities or services that will be considered for funding through this opportunity are listed below:
  • Ensuring nutritious food access to high risk, vulnerable groups and those who demonstrate a need for food assistance due to loss of income
  • Ensuring safe shelter and/or housing assistance for persons experiencing homelessness or domestic violence (shelter or hotels) or on the verge of eviction due to income loss
  • Providing mental health supports and telehealth access for community members
  • Providing medical and cleaning supplies to and staffing for community clinics supporting COVID-19 response
  • Large system supports that could include improving food distribution systems, supporting schools/districts with kids/youth for mentoring and connection, or expanding meal delivery services for seniors and home-bound populations
  • Expanding refrigeration capacity for food pantries experiencing increased demand
  • Providing funding to assist agencies with increased domestic abuse cases
  • Ensuring that residents receive clothing, medical care and other needs as identified.
  • Increased staffing capacity /infrastructure in non-profits to provide COVID Relief
  • Childcare
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION?

Contact United Way of Denton County at 940-566-5851, ext. 105 (leave a voice message) or send an email to Leah@UnitedWayDenton.org

(PDF attachments required)

  • Form W-9
  • IRS Determination Letter
  • Board of Directors Roster
  • Current Year Organization Operating Budget
  • Balance Sheet
  • At least two bids for equipment purchases, software or other non-food item purchases
  • Itemized list of requests or program budget as it relates to providing services in direct correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Receipts and other documentation for proof of fund uses in connection with Denton County CARES grants must be submitted no later than February 15, 2021.

THE DENTON COUNTY CARES PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE CARES ACT HAS SUSPENDED APPLICATIONS.

  • APPLICATION IS CLOSED

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What activities and services will be funded through December 30, 2020, under this grant opportunity?

  • Ensuring nutritious food access to high risk, vulnerable groups and those who demonstrate a need for food assistance due to loss of income
  • Ensuring safe shelter and/or housing assistance for persons experiencing homelessness or domestic violence (shelter or hotels) or on the verge of eviction due to income loss
  • Providing mental health supports and telehealth access for community members
  • Providing medical and cleaning supplies to and staffing for community clinics supporting COVID-19 response
  • Large system supports that could include improving food distribution systems, supporting schools/districts with kids/youth for mentoring and connection, or expanding meal delivery services for seniors and home-bound populations
  • Expanding refrigeration capacity for food pantries experiencing increased demand
  • Providing funding to assist agencies with increased domestic or child abuse cases
  • Ensuring that residents receive clothing, medical care and other needs as identified
  • Ensuring available technology equipment as it relates to providing services

 

How do we apply?

Organizations interested in applying for funds from the Denton County CARES program must use the online application at www.dentoncounty.gov/CARES or www.unitedwaydenton.org.  Remember to ask for funding directly tied to COVID-19 relief as needed through December 30, 2020

 

Do we have to be a partner of United Way of Denton County to apply?

No. The Denton County CARES application is available to any 501c3 health and human services organization, 501(c)4 social welfare organization or 501(c)6 business league.

 

Who is not eligible?

  • Individuals
  • Organizations that do not have a current 501c3, 501(c)4 or 501(c)6 status

 

What is the timing of the awards?

The application process began on July 1 and will continue until November 15, 2020. All funds dispersed through Denton County CARES must be used by Dec. 30, 2020, or returned to Denton County. All receipts and other documentation related to the grant must be received by Denton County no later than February 15, 2021.

 

Can an organization submit more than one application?

Funding will be awarded based on priority (see levels below). It is recommended that if you are in need of funds for activities in levels 2 or 3 to wait until a clear picture of those needs exists to apply. If needs fit into Priority Level 1, please submit an application now. If your needs evolve or expand, you will be able to submit additional applications.

PRIORITY 1
  • Critically important emergency requests: access to food, access to essential health care, access to emergency assistance for vulnerable populations
  • Assistance for shelters and group living facilities to provide safe, healthy living conditions incorporating social distancing standards
PRIORITY 2
  • Access to the internet and technology
PRIORITY 3
  • Additional staffing related to providing COVID-19 relief

One final note, all grant proposals must be for services provided as of December 30, 2020.  Funding for requests for services, personnel or other expenses beyond December 30, 2020, will not be granted.