News Release

Town Signs Agreement with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to Disburse American Rescue Plan Funds

October 19, 2021

The Town of Hilton Head Island has signed a Memorandum of Agreement authorizing the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to disburse $1 million to local organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds are part of the $5,227,178.00 million award the Town of Hilton Head Island is receiving through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the federal government’s legislation that provides funding to local governments to help them respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Under the agreement, the Community Foundation will use the money to establish a non-endowed COVID-19 Fund and award grants to Hilton Head Island non-profit organizations directly impacted by the pandemic. "We will work closely with the Community Foundation to make sure our local organizations have an opportunity to receive funds and support their clients whose lives have been affected directly or indirectly by COVID-19," said Hilton Head Island Town Manager Marc Orlando.

"Helping our residents who may be struggling because of the pandemic is the best way to use some of these funds. There are still individuals trying to get back on their feet after what our community has been through over the last 20 months with this pandemic. I’m pleased the Town was able to secure American Rescue Plan funds and is now working with the Community Foundation to distribute them," said Mayor John McCann.

"A recent survey of local nonprofits revealed that the needs created by the pandemic have not gone away,” said Scott Wierman, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “This funding will allow organizations to continue doing the critical work of helping residents who are still experiencing challenges created by the pandemic." Wierman said the Community Foundation expects to announce the application process and the timing of the grant cycles in the coming weeks.

Organizations can apply to receive up to $50,000.00 to address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency such as healthcare, housing assistance, childcare and education, rent and utility assistance, food insecurity and other related issues. The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors will appoint an advisory committee to review applications. Grants will be distributed over a two-year period with a total of $1,000,000 being awarded by the end of fiscal year 2023.

This is the second time the Town has partnered with the Community Foundation to disperse funds as a part of COVD-19 response.

Last year, the Town transferred over $730,000.00 of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Community Foundation.  It worked with the Community Foundation to disperse those grant funds to 15 Hilton Head Island organizations assisting low- to moderate-income families with rent, utilities, mortgage, food, transportation, childcare, education, and other needs.