Mount Vernon City Council Awards $150,000 to Nonprofits

City Council awarded $150,000 in grant funding to eight local nonprofit organizations Wednesday evening.

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 were directly awarded to agencies providing basic human services to Mount Vernon residents. The grants utilized Coronavirus Relief Funds which were channeled through the City, from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Councilmember Melissa Beaton pointed out during the meeting that the list of recipients represents a diverse group of nonprofits who are addressing urgent, basic needs in the community. That list includes; Helping Hands Food Bank, Neighbors in Need Food Bank, Friendship House, Community Action of Skagit County, Family Promise of Skagit Valley, Oasis Teen Shelter & Day Center, Diaper Bank of Skagit County, and Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services.

Grant funds are intended to address the impacts and adjustments that nonprofit organizations have had to make, in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Additionally, City Council approved $300,000 for small business grants Wednesday evening, and opened that process up to all other nonprofit agencies who serve Mount Vernon residents. That competitive grant program will be managed by Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC); and details on how to apply will be released in the very near future.