Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund to be Launched by the Town of Wellington

The Town of Wellington is launching a $300,000 grant program to aid businesses and nonprofits that are enduring economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses and nonprofits that meet eligibility for the program can apply for up to $12,000 in funding that does not need to be repaid. The grant program is funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“C.A.R.E.S. Act”).

• Be located within Wellington Town limits
• Be established prior to February 1, 2020, and hold a valid Wellington business license
• Have 150 or fewer employees (full time and part-time combined)
• Have an annualized reduction in revenue of 20% or greater
• Not have any unpaid code enforcement issues or utility liens
• Are expecting to return to full operation after local and state emergency guidelines during
• COVID-19 are rescinded

Eligible nonprofits must:

• Have a program that directly benefits Wellington residents or the main office in Wellington
• Be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State as a 501(c)(3)
• Have an IRS Form 990 from 2018 or 2019
• Grant Eligible Purposes
• Disbursement of funds is anticipated late October 2020 and may be used for the following purpose:
• Inventory
• Utilities
• Payroll expenses
• Rent/mortgage/lease payment assistance for real property used for business purposes
• Hardware & software for remote workers
• Personal protection equipment like gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and Plexiglass
• Updates to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to control air
• Flow and quality, including system upgrades, air filters, and purifiers
• New equipment to facilitate effective sanitation, if needed
• Touchless payment systems
• New infrastructure related to COVID-19
• Other costs not already reimbursed by other business assistance grant programs
• Additional purposes for restaurants only: funds for websites and applications that accommodate contactless reservations, payments, and menus; additional marketing efforts; takeout containers; outdoor tables, chairs, tents, outdoor heaters, railings

Organizations that are not eligible are as follows:

• Corporate-owned franchises, unless it is an individually owned franchise operator with 49 or fewer employees total at all locations and the owner is a Colorado resident
• A business owned or operated by employees of the Town of Wellington, Board of Trustees, or Grants Awards Committee
• Business involved in real estate investment, multi-level marketing, political organizations/campaigns, adult entertainment, or firearms
• Companies with outstanding local tax liabilities or tax liens as of February 1, 2020, or currently in bankruptcy (corporate or personal)
• Businesses that have defaulted on a Federal loan or Federally assisted financing
• Primarily engaged in lending
• A passive business that holds real and/or personal property from which it receives rental
• income and does not provide sufficient services to be considered active and is not an
• Eligible Passive Company
• Engaged in any illegal activity
• Principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or
• Religious beliefs, whether in a religious or secular setting; unless providing direct
• Community support in response to COVID-19
• Retail Liquor establishments
• Marijuana retail and wholesale establishments

For more information regarding the program, including to apply, visit: www.townofwellington.com/461/Relief-Fund