No matter how you feel about the federal programs, it’s hard to argue that this past year’s economic stimulus packages haven’t proven vital to keeping doors open and services running in our community.
The initiatives haven’t just benefited small and big businesses, as numerous nonprofits have also received aid.
Including nonprofits in these big congressional bills has made a significant impact on millions across the country — even right here in Columbus.
Locally, one nonprofit receiving aid was Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, which helps downtown area residents and others with everything from utilities assistance to groceries. Due to COVID-19 limitations, the nonprofit’s YES Cinema and Conference Center, which generates $20,000 to $50,000 in annual profits for the center’s work, has been operating in the red since last spring.
Thankfully, the Paycheck Protection Program provided the center $41,500 for general operating expenses without a need to pay back the money because the center, like many others, filed for financial forgiveness. Without the financial boost and forgiveness, the center more than likely wouldn’t have been able to help the 1,000 more contacts it saw in 2020 compared to 2019.
Among the other nonprofits receiving help included the Columbus Area Visitors Center ($126,250) and The Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County ($90,500). Leaders from both organizations said they would’ve had to trim budgets even more significantly had they not gotten help; including laying off full-time workers. If that were to happen, fewer services would be currently offered by both nonprofits.
The Heritage Fund has worked in tandem with a handful of local financial institutions to help local nonprofits file for assistance. The coordination and execution of the programs between banks and nonprofits has been nothing short of amazing.
National debt is a serious issue — and all of the packages that have gone through the Biden and Trump administrations have included pork — but without them thousands of nonprofits across the country would either already be closed or in major jeopardy.
Hopefully more aid won’t be needed in the immediate future, as the county, state, and nation continues to open up as more citizens get vaccinated.
