Nonprofits, business organizations nab additional COVID-19 funds in Spokane

The Spokane City Council doled out additional coronavirus aid to a variety of local nonprofits, business organizations and schools on Monday.

Spokane Arts received $150,000 and Spokane Public Schools was given $101,000 in the latest round of funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act approved by the City Council.

Other recipients included the Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance (SIMBA), which will use the funding to provide coronavirus-related guidance and support to Spokane businesses.

More than one dozen nonprofits received funds that totaled $710,161.87.

The city did not issue a new request for proposals before it issued the additional funds on Monday. Instead, it increased the money for organizations that had already applied and received funds in a previous round.

In its application for funding, Spokane Arts said it would divide the funds between three priorities; supporting local cultural institutions, funding small local art projects, and providing direct grants of assistance to artists impacted by COVID-19.

SIMBA is using CARES Act funds to support its “Live Local” campaign, which aims to encourage Spokane-area residents to support local businesses, but also provides consulting to businesses who need help navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city received $9.9 million in CARES Act funding released by Gov. Jay Inslee over the course of the pandemic.

The council had previously released funds over the course of three rounds, the most recent of which was in October.

The council expects to distribute an additional $319,000 in the coming weeks.